A Taste of Farming

 

A Taste of Farming

October 2022 to March 2023

Are you aspiring to farm or just starting out with farming? If so, this “learn as you go” online series is for you! It is designed to help you get a taste of different farming practices and concepts so you can explore your interests, gain a basic understanding of different farming topics, avoid common pitfalls, and get to know the Extension professionals in Virginia here to assist you. In this Series, Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Ag agents and VSU Small Farm Outreach Program Associates post short videos (15-20 min) highlighting key information and considerations about different topics they have years of experience helping aspiring and new farmers navigate. Season 1 ran from October 2021 to March 2022 and videos are archived on the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Taste of Farming webpage. All of the videos are also on a playlist on the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition YouTube Page. 

We are excited to announce Season 2, running from October 2022 to March 2023. Each month, we will release two new Taste of Farming videos for you to watch! A few weeks after a moderated Q & A session will be held with the presenters where you can hear more from them and have your questions answered. Check out our schedule below and on our website to watch the videos that have been released and register for the moderated Q&A Sessions. Please share with your friends and networks!

Please reach out to Sarah Sharpe at seweaver@vt.edu or Katie Trozzo ketrozzo@vt.edu if you have questions.

November Moderated Q& A Session (Please register to join)
Thursday, November 10 from 7-8 pm ET 

• Nicole Shuman, Goochland County VCE Ag Agent
  How to Interpret a Soils Test, video is available now!

• Mike Parrish, Dinwiddie County VCE Ag Agent
  Information for New Pesticide Applicators, video is available now!

December Moderated Q& A Session (Please register to join)
Thursday, December 8 from 7-8pm ET

• Erin Small, Prince Edward VCE Ag Agent
  Floriculture, video will be available on November 14!

• Beth Sastre, Loudoun VCE Ag Agent
  Vineyard Establishment, video will be available on November 14!

January Moderated Q& A Session (Registration coming soon)
Date TBD

• Kevin Spurlin, Grayson County VCE Ag Agent
  Ashley Edwards, Carroll County VCE Ag Agent
  Christmas Tree Farming, video will be available on December 12!

• Speaker TBD
  Tree Fruit Production, video will be available on December 12!

February Moderated Q& A Session (Please register to join)
Thursday, February 23 from 7-8pm ET

• Mandy Fletcher, VSU Small Farm Outreach Program Assistant SW VA Region
  Sheep and Goat Production, video will be available on January 16

• Sarah Sharpe, Greene VCE Ag Agent
  Direct Marketing Meat, video will be available on January 16!

March Moderated Q& A Session (Registration coming soon)
Date TBD

• Tracy Porter, VSU Small Farm Outreach Program Assistant, Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, Eastern Shore Region
  Poultry Production, video will be available on February 13!

• Jeremy Daubert, Rockingham County VCE Ag Agent
  Cynthia Martel, Franklin County VCE Ag Agent
  Starting a Small Dairy (Cows and Goats), video will be available on February 13!

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Katie Trozzo at 540-231-4582 during business hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations at least 5 days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

 

 

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Low Stress Cattle Handling

 

BQA Certification

 

Pasture Walk

 

Blue Ridge Intro to Whole Farm Planning

 Blue Ridge Intro to Whole Farm Planning

Mondays: October 3, 10, 17,& 24, and November 7 & 14

A Virtual Series - Brought to You by VCE

VCE invites you to participate in our virtual series, Blue Ridge Intro to Whole Farm Planning (BRIWFP).This course introduces beginning and exploring farmers to the whole farm planning process. Over six weeks, extension agents and guest presenters address key concepts, worksheets, and examples that provide the framework and inspiration needed to plan a farm. The discussions and materials are relevant for any production operation type. Registration is required.

Register for Blue Ridge Intro to Whole Farm Planning

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/XM7qw2r

For questions please contact Corey Childs at the Warren County Extension office 540-635-4549.

Black Farmer Livelihood Strategies

 

Black Farmer Livelihood Strategies to Mediate Financial and Emotional Stress

Monday, September 12 from 1-2pm ET

Dr. Andrew R. Smolski - Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Dr. Michael D. Schulman - William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor

North Carolina State University, Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences

A tradition of rural sociological research highlights the assets and networks that support farmer strategies to address financial and emotional distress. Using data from open-ended interviews with a small set of black farmers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, we investigate some of the factors that contribute to their sustainable livelihoods. We find from preliminary results that farmer informants rely on community-based farmer networks to navigate fiscal and mental health crises. These networks support farmers in understanding the challenges they confront as having structural and institutional causes, as well as providing solidarity bonds, access to training, and cooperative economic strategies. Thus, there is a role for collective action between farmers in developing alternative resources to maintain the farm and contest discriminatory practices. The data show that the benefits extend beyond the economic into the psychological as evidenced by narratives of reduced stress from joining together around issues pertinent to Black Farmers. This finding merits further exploration and consideration when developing programs to support farmers as they work to overcome contemporary financial and emotional challenges to sustaining the farm.

Please register for this virtual event

https://tinyurl.com/blackfarmerlivelihoods

For more information reach out to Katie Trozzo at ketrozzo @vt.edu. If you are a person with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Katie Trozzo at ketrozzo@vt.edu or 540-231-4582 at least 10 days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Interim Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg

 

I am 4theSoil! Are you? Take the pledge.

 

Facebook for the Northern Shenandoah Valley

 

This is a neat resource for Equine Enthusiasts. QR code for Tack Box Talk

 

Genomics – A Tool for Genetic Improvement of Livestock

Livestock Genomics aims to publish basic, applied, and methodological research toward a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying the expression of complex phenotypes in farm animals, as well as innovative strategies for the genetic improvement of livestock and aquaculture species.

Types of genomics

·         Structural genomics: Aims to determine the structure of every protein encoded by the genome.

·         Functional genomics: Aims to collect and use data from sequencing for describing gene and protein functions.

·         Comparative genomics: Aims to compare genomic features between different species.

 DNA is transmitted in chunks and genomic testing then identifies which DNA chunks have been passed from the parents to it's offspring. Genomics is the study of an animal's DNA (usually a tissue or hair sample) The genotype is studied to check parentage to confirm that the dam and sire recorded are correct.

 How does genomics work?

Genomics is the study of whole genomes of organisms, and incorporates elements from genetics. Genomics uses a combination of recombinant DNA, DNA sequencing methods, and bioinformatics to sequence, assemble, and analyze the structure and function of genomes.

 Genetic improvement occurs when the genetic merit is improved through selection. The improvement in genetic merit refers to the overall improvement in a flock or herd brought about by selection for a number of traits that contribute to the groups breeding objective, such as high growth rate or carcass yield.

Why is genetic improvement important? Genetics sets the potential for upper or lower production limits that animals can achieve. This can impact on the goals for your beef enterprise, including your market options.

 For additional information or on how you might start to incorporate this process in your management decision process, email me at cchilds@vt.edu or contact your local Extension agent.

 

Extension Beef Cattle Marketing Summit

Here is this link for the Extension Beef Cattle Marketing Summit zoom presentation. Dr. Peel from Oklahoma State University did a great job breaking down the cattle market and plotting a course for the future. If we can help you in any way please let us know.

https://virginiatech.zoom.us/.../SFA4w6dZwgiHxK7x8n7jEI8j...

Passcode: V??Qmx9c

New Opportunity - Farm Chats

 

Keep livestock Healthy and Performing with Clean Fresh Water

 

                                                                                (photo by Gerald Stoka)

Well summer is hear and the hot drier days may start soon.  Thinking about your livestock’s water supply is critical to their success. Water is a building block for life, whether it be for humans, plants, or animals. Water quantity is often questioned water resources are limited, drought conditions persist or livestock have to travel extreme distances to get water.  However, water quality is sometimes overlooked as an important aspect of grazing livestock production.

The amount of water animals consume depends on a number of factors, including growth stage, lactation, activity, diet composition, environmental temperature, and water quality. For example, sheep and goats may drink up to 3% of their body weight a day, a beef cow can drink 5% of its body weight per day, whereas a high-producing dairy cow can drink up to 20%. However, livestock will not drink enough to meet their needs if their water is low quality.

Water quality declines faster in the summer when the water gets warmer, algae films bloom, evaporation rates accelerate leaving behind higher concentrations of elements or run off water sources become stagnant.  Also, many of the most common types of water sources for grazing livestock are ponds and trough or tank systems, and water quality varies between these sources.

University research studies comparing the effect of water sources on average daily gain on ewes, lambs, does, kids, cows, calves, steers and horses gained significantly more pounds per day or performed better when supplied with clean fresh water.  Water quality also impacts the correlation between water consumption, and feed intake. As water quality declines the livestock drink less, which ultimately limits how much they eat and their overall performance.

Although the cleanliness of the supply is a major concern regarding water quality, taste or palatability can have a impact as well. In other studies livestock consumption variations have varied when water had a off taste or smell even when there were know no statistical differences in water chemistry or biological constitutes between two or more sources.

Livestock with access to clean, aerated water from troughs spend more time grazing and less time resting than those that drink directly from run off ponds or troughs that are not cleaned or refreshed often ponds. Water quality is essential on every farm, but it may have a bigger impact on operations with stocker or growing livestock than on the breeding herd. 

Whatever type operation you run, water quantity and quality may impact overall profitability. If you have questions or concerns about your water plans please contact your local Extension agent who can direct you to various water resources in the area.

Lamb Evaluation and Processing

 

TRI-STATE BEEF CONFERENCE

 

TRI-STATE BEEF CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AUGUST 4^th IN BLOUNTVILLE, TN

The fourteenth Annual Tri-State Beef Cattle conference will be held at the Ron Ramsey Regional Ag Center in Blountville, Tennessee on Thursday, August 4, 2022. This year’s conference will address topics of interest to both stocker and cow-calf producers. The conference will be a one-day event and will include educational sessions covering such topics as stocker health, finished cattle price transparency legislation, beef cattle outlook, knowing where you stand on profitability, and antibiotic prescription requirements. There will once again be virtual tours of operations from each of the three states and then a time of questions and answers with the producers themselves.

 

A trade show will be open during the conference, with many of the organizations involved in the region’s beef industry there for participants to meet and learn more about their products and services.

The conference will begin with registration at 8:00 a.m. and the program beginning at 9:20 a.m. The trade show will open at 8:00 a.m.

 

The meeting is being sponsored by the University of Tennessee Extension, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Registration information and complete details will be available through your county Extension Office. Registration for the conference is $20 through July 22^nd and $25 after July 22^nd. Additional information can be obtained from Dr. Scott Greiner, Extension Beef Specialist, Virginia Tech, phone 540-231-9159, email sgreiner@vt.edu, through your local Extension office, or on the web at https://www.apsc.vt.edu/extensionandoutreach/beef-extension.html

 

PROGRAM

8:00 a.m.             Registration and Visit Trade Show

9:00 a.m.             Welcome

9:10 a.m.             Finished Cattle Price Transparency and Legislation

                                Dr. Charley Martinez

                                Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Tennessee

9:50 a.m.             Stocker Cattle Receiving Simulation

                                Dr. John Groves, DVM

                                Livestock Veterinary Service, Eldon, Missouri

10:30 a.m.           Knowing Where You Stand: 5 Standards to Profitability

                                Mr. David Bilderback

                                Area Farm Management Specialist, University of Tennessee

11:00 a.m.           Break and Visit Trade Show

11:30 a.m.           Market Outlook

                                Dr. James Mitchell

                                Livestock Economist, University of Arkansas

12:10 p.m.          Steak Lunch and Visit Trade Show

1:20 p.m.             Antibiotic Prescription Requirements, Asian Long-Horn Tick and Theileria

                                Dr. John Currin, DVM, DABVP

                                Clinical Associate Professor, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

2:00 p.m.             Virtual Tours and Panel Discussion

3:00 p.m.             Wrap-up

Coming Beef Classes

 

This June, Virginia Cooperative Extension is offering three trainings to help you plan and establish your cattle herd. June 3, learn how to choose, size, adjust production, and market your herd. June 17th, join us at a hands-on workshop for producers considering artificial insemination as a means to improve their herd. Join us at the Virginia Tech MARE Center! Register at bit.ly/VCEBeef22

 

Description of workshops:

 

• 3 June AM.  Choosing, Sizing, and Marketing the Right Herd for You.  A classroom program for start-up producers and those early in their beef operations.  Topics include operations types, breed characteristics, herd expansion alternatives, and marketing model considerations.

 

• 3 June PM.  Adjusting Current Production and Marketing Models.  A classroom program for experienced beef producers thinking critically about herd efficiencies, breeding methods, and marketing strategies.

 

• 17 June AM & PM. Assisted Reproduction Workshop.  A hands-on workshop for producers considering artificial insemination as a means to improve their herd.  This program entails working with cattle reproduction tracts and observing the insemination of heifers.

 

Virginia Farmer Mentoring Programs

 

Virginia Farmer Mentoring Programs

The Virginia Soil Health Coalition, one of our Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Partners, has compiled a list of Farmer Mentoring Programs across the state including the regions they serve and key points of contact in case you or anyone you know is interested in farming mentorship. You can find more information on their Virginia Farmer Mentor Network webpage or you can directly contact the coordinators for each region. Please help spread the word to your networks!

 

Program Name	Geographic Area	Producer Emphasis	Contact
Virginia Forage and Grassland Council	Chesapeake Bay Watershed	Livestock and Forage Production	Becky Szarzynski beckyszar@yahoo.com 540-461-0969
Virginia No-Till Alliance	Shenandoah Valley	Crop Production	Doug Horn doughorn@vt.edu 540-245-5750
Eastern Shore	Eastern Shore	Crop and Vegetable Production	Mark Reiter mreiter@vt.edu 757-807-6576
Soil Health + Integrated Conservation Agronomy	Southside, Eastern, and Central Virginia	Crop and Livestock Production	Lydia Fitzgerald Lydia.fitzgerald@usda.gov 540-414-4089

 

 

Upcoming Equine Programs

 

Va Beef Expo

 

Virginia Cattle Outlook

 

Equine Bio-security

 Equine Owners

Colorado State University has put together this outstanding user friendly site on Equine ANIMAL BIOSECURITY

Topics include:

About Animal Biosecurity

Horse Owners

Horse Barn Managers

Horses grazing in a pasture

About Animal Biosecurity

CSU’s Animal biosecurity resources have been developed to assist animal owners, and farm managers on how to prevent infectious disease among animals housed together. Like any shared residential arrangement – such as apartment buildings, school dormitories, and hotels – boarding stables, livestock pens and open pastures are not closed systems. Even with careful protocols to prevent disease, there is an opportunity for animals to be exposed to organisms while off the farm and to potentially expose the other animals upon return.

Keeping your animals free from infectious disease, the kind of disease that can be spread between animals. The first topics on this site focus on horses at boarding stables where the horses are owned by different people but live together at one farm. More developments will focus on other animals and will be added.

Go to: https://animalbiosecurity.colostate.edu/#

Spring Herd Management Checklist

 

 

Spring Calving Herds Finish up calving season.Document calf birth dates, calf ID and dam ID. This can be used to build a calving distribution graph. Various studies have documented that a calf born in the first 21 days of the calving season (first breeding exposure) can weigh at weaning an average of 45 lbs more than a calf born in the second estrus cycle, and nearly 95 lbs more than a calf born during the third 21 days of the calving season (third breeding exposure/estrus cycle). Keeping records of this will help improve breeding and culling decisions, and hopefully weaning weights. As calving season winds down, prepare to give cows pre-breeding vaccines.  If using a modified live respiratory virus vaccine make sure to wait until every cow has calved to avoid any fetal loss from the modified live vaccine. Fall Calving Herds If retaining fall calves through the summer, ensure calves are adequately protected against respiratory disease and blackleg. Preg check fall calving herds. If you have not done so already, now is an excellent time to preg check fall calving herds. Pregnancy checks can be done to predict calf birth dates.These can be used to help plan labor needs for the calving season, as well as make culling decisions for the herd. Open cows may need to be culled. Both Spring and Fall Calving Herds Have a pink eye mitigation and control plan. This may, or may not include an autogenous vaccine, or a manufactured multi-strain vaccine. It also may include having an adequate supply of anti-microbials and antibiotics on hand to treat cattle that are impacted.It also should include a fly control program. Fly control Program.Horn flies take as many as 30 blood meals a day from cattle that reside on, slowing or stopping cattle gains on summer pasture. Face flies spread pinkeye.Treating both of these will go a long way to hold value on calves and keep the cow herd productive.  Be sure to obtain fly treatment products early in the season (Late March – April). Follow label directions on all products.  Have a discussion with your veterinarian on what may work best for you. Make plans to deworm growing calves. Again, check with your veterinarian on deworming calves. Oral drenches may be an option if you have recently been using pour on de-wormers. Cattle going out to grass that will not be reworked in a recent timeline might be candidates for a long acting injectable dewormer. Credit: John Benner, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Augusta County

Horses and Serve Weather

 

Spring Annuals for Cover & Grazing

Matt Booher, Virginia Cooperative Extension

Do you have crop field that didn't get a cover crop planted last fall--or maybe it was planted too late and established poorly? Could you use some extra spring grazing or haylage? A spring annual planted now could provide quick protection from soil erosion and high-quality feed for your livestock this spring.

Common options include spring oats, spring barley, or spring triticale. Sometimes spring peas, annual ryegrass, or brassicas are also included to add some diversity. Its important to select spring varieties, because winter varieties may not vernalize and produce the tonnage desired.

About 50 lbs./acre of nitrogen should be applied at planting in order to ensure quick growth and good yields, even when legumes are included in the mix. If grazing the spring , much of this nitrogen can be recovered by the crop that follows--as long as you manage grazing to ensure that manure and urine are deposited relatively uniformly across the field.

Spring annuals can grow and mature relatively quickly, so, depending on your animal numbers, you may be able to start grazing as soon as 40 or 45 days after planting. If harvesting as haylage, the soft dough stage provides a good combination of yield and forage quality.

Stockers

 

Virginia Farm Festival

 

2022 Pork Conference

 

2022 Virginia Pork Industry Conference REGISTER TODAY! Calling all Virginia pork producers and industry members! You are invited to the 2022 Virginia Pork Industry Conference, hosted by the Virginia Pork Council. The conference will take place at Meadow Event Park, in Doswell, VA on Wednesday, March 23. We look forward to seeing you there! Conference Program to Include: 8:30am - Registration 9:00am - Welcome 9:30am - Conversation with pork and agriculture industry leaders from across the Commonwealth: "Pork to Table" challenges discussion including transportation, research, market, environmental, and animal health Special guest speakers include: Matt Lohr, Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry Joe Guthrie, VDACS Commissioner Dr. Charles Broaddus, State Veterinarian Director of VDACS Division of Animal and Food Industry Services 12:00pm - Lunch 3:00pm - Tour of State Fair of VA livestock pens, donated by Virginia Pork Council 4:00pm - Virginia Pork Council Annual Meeting 5:00pm - Networking Reception   REGISTER HERE   Questions? Contact katie@virginiapork.org