MoosNews
Volume 15, No. 11 – November 2012
The monthly dinner meeting of the
Granville County Cattlemen’s Association will be Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. Join your fellow cattlemen at 7 p.m.
for dinner and a business meeting, to be held at the Granville County
Cooperative Extension office in Oxford. Supper is $5.
News, Views, and Mostly Other
Matters
By Paul Westfall,
Extension Livestock Agent
Got frost? Or should I say have you had a frost
yet? Temperatures got down close
to and I’m sure below freezing on November 1. That means it’s time for a reminder about grazing or cutting
Johnson grass, millet, or sudan grass for hay. Prussic acid levels are high after a frost, so be
aware. If there is a question,
stop grazing or wait a week or so to let the Prussic acid levels go down before
continuing those operations.
Before I go too much further, I want to say “Thanks!
“ to the folks who sponsored the Beef Bull Breeding Soundness Exam Clinic held
on November 1. Those sponsors were Granville County Farm Bureau, the Granville
County Cattlemen’s Association, E. B. Harris Auctions, Inc., and Southern
States Cooperative. These
sponsorships help keep the cost to the farmer low.
I also want to thank Dr. Mark Alley and his
veterinary students from the N.C. State Veterinary School for their work
conducting the exams; Mr. Ritchie Roberts for being at the event to trim bull’s
feet; and the beef producers who brought their bulls to be evaluated. We tested 40 bulls, the most we have
had yet at this event. Next year,
I’m going to remind the students to bring a lunch! This event keeps getting better and better. One producer said that he needed to
know if he should get another bull before turning them out with the cows in
December. He got a straight answer
from that evaluation. We can all make better decisions when we have solid
information to work with.
Now for the management tips & reminders for
November. De-worm and implant the stockers before turning
them out. As the weather gets
colder, treat cattle for lice.
Remove the old insecticide ear tags as you work cows. Old tags release
low levels of
insecticide that promote the development of
resistant strains of flies. Bull
sale season is
starting. Evaluate your herd bulls, and start
looking if you need a new bull.
Get the forages analyzed and order winter supplements if you have not
already done so.
Managers of spring-calving herds should check the
calving supplies and order whatever is needed so that everything will be on
hand in January. Feed any poorer
quality hay to the dry cows now.
Save the best hay for calving season. Check the heifers frequently. They should begin calving in
December. Make sure the cows
maintain their body condition score of 5 to 6. Feed some supplement if necessary. Thin cows and first-calf
heifers would be the most likely to need supplementation. Vaccinate the calves with 7-way
clostridium vaccine. Feed the
weaned calves for desired gain based on the farm management and marketing
plans.
Those who like fall calving need to make sure the
bulls are in good condition for breeding. Trim their feet, conduct breeding
soundness exams, and provide additional
feed if needed to improve their body condition to
6.0. Get another bull or two if
needed to have a bull:cow ratio of 1 bull to 25 cows.
Watch for upcoming events!
·
Saturday,
Nov. 10 – help at the GCCA concession stand at the cattle auction. The cow sale
starts at 10 a.m., but we’ll be open for business earlier, providing hot coffee
and sausage biscuits for breakfast. Then, we’ll have burgers and
dogs (all beef, of course!) for sale at lunch.
·
Support
Area Congregations in Ministry (ACIM) and burn a few calories while you’re at
it at the annual Turkey Trot, sponsored by Oxford United Methodist Church. The
walk will start at 9 on Thursday, Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving Day). Brisk walkers can
finish the route in less than an hour – you’ll be home in time to baste the
turkey! Donations of money and canned foods will be delivered to ACIM, with
their thanks.
**********
From the President’s pen
Greetings Fellow Cattlemen,
Cool weather is here and it won't be long before hay feeding will
start. I hope everyone has plenty of hay; if not, there seems to be
plenty of excess hay in our area, so let someone know if you need extra for
this winter.
On November 10th we will do the concessions at E B Harris's
arena sale. Charles Lane has agreed to cook the hamburgers and hot
dogs. Phyllis has agreed to oversee and get the food together, since
Charlie won't be able to help. That’s the day his Christmas job starts - Ho, Ho, Ho! We will need some help to serve food and drinks, so please
call Phyllis (639-7651)or let us know Thursday night if you can help and what
time you can assist. We had fun last time and we made a little money, too.
Hope to see all Thursday night and don't forget to bring a friend.
Board meeting at 6 p.m. before the regular dinner meeting.
Kay
October meeting
minutes
Members
of the Granville County Cattlemen’s Association met for a social hour prior to
a delicious beef dinner, which was followed by a business session in the
Cooperative Extension Board Room on Thursday, October 11, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. Minutes of the September meeting were approved as
printed in the MoosNews. The
Treasurer’s report was accepted, including profit from the October 6 Concessions at the Livestock Arena.
There was no Old Business to come before the group.
New Business included approval of grants of $250 each to Granville
Central and South Granville High Schools to defray expenses to the FFA
Convention.
$200 was approved toward the cost of the upcoming BSE clinic.
Phyllis Stark volunteered to Chair the Concession booth at November 10 Cattle Sale at the Livestock Arena.
June 14, 2013, was designated by the group as Earth Roast Day. Members were encouraged to attend the
Warren County Earth Roast on October 20.
Sandy Gabel was authorized to select a tent or banner bearing GCCA
logo at a price not to exceed $500.
Christmas dinner date was set for December 13 at Poplar Creek Baptist Church. Awards will be presented to deserving members.
Paul Westfall reported on the North Central Regional meeting
attended by Paul and President Kay Stark.
Paul noted that the State Cattlemen’s Conference will be held in Hickory
in February, 2013.
October 23
is date of Cooperative Extension Appreciation Banquet.
Pesticide Collection Day is on November 14. Out-of-date household or agricultural pesticides will be
accepted at Southern States for disposal.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Gill, Secretary
**********
AWARDS:
Several
cattlemen were recognized for contributions and assistance to the Cooperative
Extension Service during the recent Volunteer Appreciation dinner, held at the
Expo Center on Hwy 15. Paul Westfall acknowledged Sherby Slaughter and GCCA President Kay Stark; Janet Slaughter was
recognized for her assistance with the budgeting class offered to clients of
A.C.I.M., the local food bank. Paul also thanked Steve Walker of Southern States for being a good community partner
and supporting Extension activities and programs. Your GCCA was well
represented at this appreciation banquet!
**********
Officers: Directors:
President, Kay Stark 2012: Jimmy Morgan, David Owen
Past President, Joy Morgan Marshall 2013: Sherby Slaughter, Steve WalkerVice President, Larry Medlin 2014: Linda Currin, Wendy LAne
Treasurer, Sandy Gabel
Secretary, Jean Gill
Newsletter, Laura S. Gabel
