Hey Everyone, Included is the Weekly Pile of Information for the week of August 20th, 2017, Extension's Equine related educational information & announcements for Rockingham & Guilford Counties. To have something included in the Weekly Pile, please follow these simple guidelines. - Information included needs to be educational in nature &/or directly related to Rockingham or Guilford Counties. - provided information is a resource to the citizens of Rockingham & Guilford Counties. - provided information does not require extra time or effort to be listed. - Listings for Swap Shop will not list pricing details. - Please E-mail information to me by Wednesday each Week. - Please keep ads or events as short as possible – with NO FORMATTING, NO unnecessary Capitalization’s and NO ATTACHED DOCUMENTS. (If sent in that way, it may not be included) - Please include contact information - Phone, Email and alike. - PLEASE PUT WEEKLY PILE IN SUBJECT LINE when you send into me. - The Weekly Pile is not for listings for Commercial type properties or products. If I forgot to include anything in this email it was probably an oversight on my part, but please let me know! If you have a question or ideas that you would like covered in the Weekly Pile, please let me know and I will try to include. As Always, I would like to hear your comments about the Weekly Pile or the Extension Horse Program in Rockingham or Guilford Counties!

I NEED YOUR FEEDBACK & IDEAS! Included in The Pile this Week: 1. Mosquitoes Spread Diseases 2. White Line Disease 3. Capture Rainwater for Livestock Drinking 4. You Asked 5. The Battle & Prevention of Weeds 6. Resource Links 7. Hay Consumption 8. INTERESTING RESEARCH OUT OF KSU!

9. Piedmont Horseman’s Association - Show Saturday, 8/26 th 10. Fall Fun Show: September 16 11. 2017 Twilight Chestnut Field Day, September 26th 12. First on Scene Trainings

What to do if you come to a medical or injury event on a Farm!

13. The Ag Tax Issues Short Course Guilford County Nov 3 14. HAY DIRECTORY 15. Swap Shop

16. Take A Load Off +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1. Mosquitoes Spread Diseases

Stefani Garbacik, Extension Livestock Agent, Wayne County

Mosquitoes are pesky bugs that annoy most of us on summer evenings. Citronella candles, bug spray and avoiding stagnant water are ways we often combat these pest. For horses, it’s not quite so easy. Bug spray and reducing standing water are important but for some diseases spread by mosquitoes, vaccination is your best tool.

In 2017, we have already seen cases of West Nile Virus and EEE in the US. Both are mosquito-borne diseases that often result in mortality. A simple vaccination, and annual booster, can greatly reduce the risk that your horse, or donkey, will contract the disease. Mosquitoes can breed in any pond of water that remains for more than 4 days, so it is important to make sure this doesn’t happen on your land (if possible). Keeping your horses stalled at night and using sprays or fans can help reduce exposure to infected mosquitoes.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is exhibited by flu-like symptoms in equine species. They may seem mildly depressed, have a decreased appetite, hypersensitivity to noises or touch, occasional drowsiness and asymmetrical weakness. The mortality rate ranges from 30-40%. Depending on the area you live in, your horses may need a booster in the spring and the fall. Be sure to consult your veterinarian for the best health plan for your herd! EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis) is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and one horse has already died from the disease in North Carolina this year. EEE causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include impaired vision, aimless wandering, circling, inability to swallow, and paralysis. It can take anywhere from 3-10 days for a horse to exhibit signs after being bitten. It is usually fatal and the horses often suffer a great deal before succumbing to the disease.

Vaccinations are an important piece of any herd health plan and it is important to keep accurate records on all of your . These may mean the difference between life and death for your horses. There is no evidence of horses being able to transmit the viruses to other horses, animals or people through direct contact. Please talk to your veterinarian about vaccinations for WNV, EEE, and other prevalent diseases to maintain the health and safety of your animals.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2. White Line Disease

Becky Spearman, Extension Livestock Agent, Bladen County

White Line Disease is a condition where the white line is separated from the sole of the hoof. It is really not a disease, but an infection. Bacteria, fungi, dirt and other opportunistic organisms can enter and infect the hoof wall. Some reasons for the separation are mechanical stress caused by excessive toe length; environmental conditions such as excessive moisture softens the hooves allowing cracks to form; laminitis; and hoof imbalance. It is more common in humid climates, but can occur in other areas. Usually the horse does not seem to be in pain. White line disease can cause lameness and lead to the displacement of the coffin bone if left untreated. White Line Disease can affect horses of any age, sex or breed. It can be in one or multiple hooves.

It is usually diagnosed by a farrier or veterinarian who notices hoof wall separations during routine health care or shoeing. Slow, poor hoof wall growth is commonly seen. White line disease is not contagious. Veterinarians don’t completely understand why hoof wall separation occurs. It can be difficult to treat due to not knowing the exact cause of the infection. It is also difficult due to the location and lack of blood flow to that area.

Removal of the entire damaged hoof wall is the most important step in treating. Most treatments include using a topical medication to treat the infection. Regular cleaning of the area can help with treatment. Some horses may need to be shod to protect their feet or have the edges sealed to prevent more damage. It can take up to a year for the hoof to grow back. Talk to your veterinarian and farrier for recommendations for your particular situation. Prognosis is usually good, but the earlier it is diagnosed and treatment has begun, the better. Some horses may have white line again, so monitoring for future infections is critical.

Prevention includes pick and clean hooves regularly and have regular trimmings by a farrier. Keep the horse in clean, dry conditions. Proper nutrition and regular health care is important too.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners has an article How to Manage White Line Disease that has a lot of pictures and goes more in-depth into the cause and treatment options. The American Farriers website has an article Preventing and Treating White Line Disease .

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3. Capture Rainwater for Livestock Drinking Traveling around Livestock & Horse Farms, I see a lot of different set ups and some very ingenious ideas. Seeing farms that capture rain water and water animals. Rain barrels are commonly used to collect rainfall & for watering plants. This is done by capturing rain from the barn roof with gutters and downspouts to catch rainwater in watering tanks.

This practice can be done but not recommended but it is done especially in different parts of the country. In general, It is not recommend to use rain barrel water for human or pet consumption, or even for watering root crops and vegetables that will be consumed. If it is going to be done, take water samples to see what residues and elements may be coming off of the material of which the roof is made. Its possible that that material could be a source of concern and potential issues with runoff from rooftops in terms of safe drinking water.

Water Quality of rain water can fluctuate a good bit due to sources/direction the rain came from and the uptake of water from different areas. Rainwater may contain pollutants, algae and other materials that gets washed from your roof. Atmospheric deposition of fine metals and particulates can be carried into roof runoff and possibly concentrated in the rain barrel water, as can petro-chemicals from shingles. New roofs can be especially prone to releasing particulates and chemicals into runoff, particularly when there hasn't been much rainfall for a while and the sun has been heating the rooftop.

In a setting where there may be birds roosting or resting on the rooftop, you can also get significant amounts of bird droppings in the runoff, and that can contain salmonella and other bacteria that can be potentially pathogenic (disease-causing).

Bens Note: I found questioning research on this subject, mostly when it comes to the water quality. You can find a lot of information about facilities how to capture water, the size facility that would be needed for the number of animals and the make up of materials to be used. (especially out of Texas) But a number of these papers, did not even mention water quality. That makes me question things. If they ran quality test, and briefly discussed results I would be less skeptical but to do research like this and not even mention water quality, concerns me.

At this point, It is my feeling that roof water should not be used for consumption unless you utilized a good water purification filter system, especially if you have a metal roof. But Its not recommend it without a proper filtration system consisting of a 3 stage micron filter and ultraviolet light to kill bacteria.

NC State does have a publication worth looking at

Water Quality of Rooftop Runoff: Implications for Residential Water Harvesting Systems

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/water-quality-of-rooftop-runoff

That’s My Two Cents, for whatever its worth!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 4. You Asked: I see a lot people spray Round-Up (or similar) along fence lines to keep weeds down, especially electric fences & base of fencepost. What is the risk of using Round Up on fences around horse pastures? Is Roundup toxic to a horse that may graze around the fence posts? Is it safe to allow horses back into pastures that have had the ground around fence posts treated with Roundup? On the surface, this question seems to have a quick answer, BUT, do not be to fast to go with it until you read specifics on the Round Up Label. Reading the label, there are varied restrictions on when animals are allowed to graze/consume forage, (from no restriction, 7 days or even 8 weeks) according to rate sprayed, application method used and maybe other conditions. https://45ijagbx6du4albwj3e23cj1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/Roundup-Original.pdf On the Monsanto website it states: “Proper translocation prior to animal re-entry is imperative to effective weed control. To ensure proper weed control and forage removal, Monsanto recommends grazing not resume for 3 to 5 days after spraying.

Grazing is safe for the animals as soon as the herbicide has dried. However, proper translocation must occur before grazing is allowed to ensure proper weed control. When a Re-entry Interval is not listed on a chemical label, it is recommended to wait until the chemical has dried, however, assume annual weeds require a minimum of 24 hours of good weather conditions for proper translocation. For perennial weed and forage control, wait a minimum of 72 hours for proper translocation of the chemical through the target plants before allowing grazing. Allowing animals to graze earlier may result in reduced control.”

It also says on the label for workers: “Do not enter or allow worker entry into treated areas during the restricted entry interval (REI) of 12 hours.”

Roundup is a good herbicide, and according to the label instructions on the bottle, you can let it dry and turn the horses out, but as stated above, you may not get control. A general rule of thumb with any herbicide you use to control weeds in your pastures, you wait as long as possible or to label withdrawal restrictions before turning your animals back out. Look at the weed trying to control and look at specific products that you can use to control that weed. There may be other products you can use. I believe that Round-Up is safe, and I have not seen an issue that has been directly associated with round-up (that I am aware) but there is a lot of debate (can be a rather heated one) over this. For a few reasons. the herbicides themselves may be harmless to horses, but its a question of whether the herbicides present a risk. Not with the product itself, but with the pastures after treatment. Many pastures contain weeds that could be toxic to horses at some level, not necessarily in the amounts that a horse might normally ingest while grazing, but in larger quantities and higher concentrations. Some horse owners have reported that after treatment horses that lick Roundup can get colic, or that some weeds (that may or may not be toxic themselves) after being treated and wilting, may emit a sweet odor or something that some believe that attracts animals to them? Some of these weeds the animals would not have been at all interested in when they were still green and growing. So, wilting may make some weeds sweeter or more palatable. Herbicides cause wilting so, considering this concern, once the herbicides to their job of killing the weeds, it might be a good idea to remove them from the pasture/hayfield before allowing the horses to go back into those fields and graze. So, this answer includes a judgment call from you, if you use herbicides in controlling weeds, read and follow label directions according to the rate and method you will be using. For Round-Up, and what Monsanto’s website suggest a minimum of, wait 24 hours for annual weeds & 72 hours for perennial weeds. Keep animals off by label directions and as long as you can if no restrictions. If you can, remove the dying weeds before the horses are given the opportunity to graze them. If you have just a few acres in pasture, it may not be a big job. If you have many acres, it may be about impossible. If there are no other restrictions, if you can wait for a week or ten days before you put the horses back out then wait. The wait will ensure that the weeds will be dead and decaying and not merely wilted, and after a week/10 days, the weeds should be less palatable.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 5. The Battle & Prevention of Weeds Prevention is any activity that keeps weeds from infesting a pasture. Most weeds spread by seed. Thus, preventing the movement of weed seeds onto a farm reduces potential weed pressure. Weed seeds can be transported in hay, harvested grass seed, sod, animals, mowing equipment, or dispersed by wind, water, and wildlife. Avoid buying hay or grass seed that is contaminated with weed seeds. Refuse to purchase hay from someone who cannot provide a weed-free product. By doing so, it will reduce weed seed contamination and is highly recommended. Control

Cultural Control

Cultural practices improve weed control by increasing the competitiveness of the forage. This involves optimizing forage production through monitoring soil pH, fertility, and, potentially, water management. Generally speaking, a thick sward will prevent weed emergence, will outcompete emerged weeds, and will capture the majority of environmental resources (light, water, nutrients) necessary for growth. The aim of cultural practices is to modify your management program so that the sward is as competitive as possible. Soil pH is an important factor for forage growth as well as weed establishment. Forage agronomists and soil scientists at the University of Florida have determined the optimum soil pH for most forages grown in Florida. Acidic soils limit plant growth and can result in aluminum and manganese toxicity, and magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, molybdenum, and potassium deficiency. Soil acidity may also result in poor root growth, which can reduce water and nutrient uptake. Weeds that grow under such conditions can be indicators of low soil pH. For example, crowfoot grass germination is optimum at soil pH levels between 4 and 5, which is too low for optimum forage growth. Thus, the presence of crowfoot grass in your pasture may warrant a soil test and corrective action. Mechanical Control

Mowing is one of the most often used weed control methods in pastures. Mowing improves the appearance of a pasture, temporarily increases forage production, and, if properly timed, prevents weeds from producing seed. Mowing is generally more effective on broadleaf weeds than grass weeds and is more effective on annual weeds than perennial weeds. Carefully consider the cost of mowing and the anticipated effectiveness. As fuel prices increase, it may be more cost-effective to avoid mowing and use other forms of weed control since other weed control methods may be more effective on a given species. Mechanical weed control does have drawbacks. Large weeds with extensive root systems will not be controlled through mowing alone. Additionally, mowing misses prostrate-growing weeds like crabgrass, spurges, and matchweed. Mowing can also spread vegetative plant stems, allowing the plant (e.g., prickly pear) to root elsewhere. If mowing is performed after seed set, seeds can accumulate on the mowing equipment and worsen the weed problem by spreading seed to other pastures.

Biological Control

Biological control involves the use of biotic agents (e.g., plants, herbivores, , nematodes, and phytopathogens) to suppress weeds. Overall, biological control is still in its infancy, but great strides are being made, especially against invasive plants. Two good examples are the tobacco mild green mosaic tobamovirus (TMGMV), and the newly released , , both used for TSA control. The virus TMGMV can be sprayed to control existing TSA plants, while the is used primarily for suppression. Most biological control agents rarely provide complete weed control, but they usually suppress the weed population to a manageable level. Additionally, biological control agents are rarely fast-acting, so time is needed for the agent to suppress a given weed population. For example, the effect of Gratiana boliviana is not often seen until the year following the release of the beetle. Chemical Control

Chemical weed control includes the use of herbicides. Herbicides kill weeds by inhibiting plant processes that are necessary for growth. Herbicides should be selected based on forage species being grown, weed species present, cost, and ease of application. Application method and environmental impact should also be considered. Proper herbicide choice and application rate are extremely important. Lower-than- recommended application rates will not provide consistent weed control, while excessive application rates may cause injury to the forage or result in only killing the above-ground portion of perennial weeds. Also, herbicides must be applied at the correct time to be cost-effective. Preemergence applications are made before weeds germinate and emerge. Understanding the life cycle of the weed is important when using a preemergence herbicide. Some weed seeds germinate in the summer, while others germinate in the winter months. Always refer to the herbicide label for additional information about controlling specific weeds. Postemergence applications are made after the weeds emerge. The most effective and cost-efficient applications are made when the weeds have recently emerged and are small. For perennial weeds (regrowing from root storage organs), it is advisable to allow them to bloom before spraying, which allows sufficient leaf surface for coverage and ensures that the perennial is transporting photosynthates back to the roots. Postemergence herbicides may be broadcast over the entire pasture or may be applied as a spot treatment to sparse weed patches. Spot treatment is less costly compared to broadcast spraying. Other application methods include wipers and mowers that dispense herbicide while mowing the weed. In all cases, it is extremely important to carefully read the herbicide label before purchase to determine if that herbicide controls the weeds in your situation. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 6. Resource Links

Electrical Systems for Agricultural Buildings (Recommended Practices)

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1594&context=extensionhist It's Simply Shocking!

https://stablemanagement.com/articles/its-simply-shocking Extinguish the Threat of Barn Fires http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-keeping/extinguish-threat-of-barn-fires.aspx

Equine Emergency and Disaster Preparedness http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/id/id173/id173.pdf

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 7. Hay Consumption

Krishona Martinson, PhD, University of Minnesota

How many square bales does a horse eat a day? Is it necessary to have hay/feed in front of a horse all day?

It is difficult to estimate how many small square-bales of hay a horse needs each day since bales vary in size and weight. Its better to feed based on weight. The average adult horse required about 2% of its bodyweight in feed (hay plus grain) each day. For example, a 1,000 adult horse at maintenance would require 20 pounds of feed daily. If your small square- bale weighs 40 pounds, then the horse should be fed half the bale each day. If the bale weighs 80 pounds, then one quarter of the bale would be required each day.

If you are feeding grain, then subtract that amount from the hay meal. For example, if you are feeding 5 pounds of grain, then reduce the amount of hay fed by 5 pounds. Using the above example, the hay ration would then be reduced from 20 to 15 pounds. Adding the 5 pounds of grain to the 15 pounds of hay fed daily would help ensure the horse was receiving 2% of their bodyweight in feed each day. It is also a good idea to assess horse body condition each month and adjust the amount of hay (and grain) fed as needed.

It is not necessary for horses to have feed in front of them all day. In fact, this practice can lead to obesity if high quality, energy dense feed is offered without sufficient exercise. Feeding 2 to 4 small meals throughout the day, that equal 2% bodyweight, is ideal since horses evolved to consume several small meals throughout the day. However, feeding more than two meals throughout the day is not feasible for many horse owners. One management method that has proven to extend foraging time while allowing horses to remain on a controlled diet in the use of slow feed hay nets. A recent study at the University of Minnesota found that horses took 3.2 hours to consume a hay meal when fed off the stall floor and 6.5 hours to consume the same hay meal when fed from a slow-feed hay net. Researchers concluded that slow-feed hay nets represent simple and affordable management tools for extending foraging time when meal feeding horses. For more information on the hay net study, go to

http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/horse/nutrition/using-slow-feed-hay-nets/index.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 8. INTERESTING RESEARCH OUT OF KANSAS STATE UNVERSITY

I came across this and thought it would be of interest to you!

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Equine Physiology Fat supplementation of horse diets is very common within the ind ustry. Almost all commercially-prepared concentrates now contain added fat. traditionally, this fat has been provided from a vegetable source that is generally high in essential omega-6 fatty acids and low in essential omega-3 fatty acids. Most horse diets in general are very low in these important omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in high concentrations in marine-based products like fish oil. Recent research with humans and other species has begun to define the role of omega-3 fatty acids in health, immunity and neurological development. Consumers are now starting to see a number of products on the market for both humans and animals that are labelled as being "high" in omega-3 fatty acids. The potential role of omega-3 fatty acids in horse health and nutrition is still a relatively new area of research. At Kansas State in the Department of Animal Sciences, we are currently focusing our attention on the effect of dietary supplementation with marine-based omega-3 fatty acids on equine reproduction and foal growth. The goal of this research is to more accurately determine the effects of feeding diets high in omega-3 fatty acids to mares and foals, as well as the young, growing horse, and to make subsequent recommendations to horse owners in terms of incorporating these essential fatty acids into the diets of their horses. Fescue and Its Effects on the Equine Hoof Tall fescue grass is routinely fed to horses. While most horse owners know about the toxicity effects of fescue in pregnant mares, they often do not hesitate to put their riding horses on fescue pasture. In cattle, fescue consumption has been related to a condition known as “fescue foot.” We have a project underway that is designed to look at the effect fescue consumption may have on circulation through the equine hoof. Fescue consumption has been linked to vasoconstriction, and with the issues reported in cattle, it seems likely that fescue consumption might also alter blood flow to the horse’s hoof. If this is the case, there could be implications for those horses predisposed to navicular syndrome, laminitis, or other lameness conditions related to the health of the hoof itself. The Glycemic Effect of Various Feeds in the Equine Like humans, many horses in the U.S. are suffering from obesity and all o f its related health issues. There are several conditions in which the horse is best maintained on a diet that does not elicit a large insulin response. Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy are two examples. As a result, there is a need to characterize the glycemic and insulinemic response of the equine to various dietary components. We have begun to do this by looking specifically at various feedstuffs containing molasses but that are consumed in very different ways. We are comparing feeds like sweet feed that are consumed entirely in meals to feeds like hardened blocks containing molasses that are consumed in small quantities throughout the day. A Probiotic Approach to Preventing Laminitis Laminitis, or founder, is a devastating condition in the horse. The best veterinary care in the world often cannot save horses from this condition: Barbaro and Secretariat both succumbed to laminitis. Laminitis is unique in that most obvious symptoms are detected in the hoof, but the problem originates in the horse’s digestive system. Generally the process begins when there is a starch overload in the horse’s hindgut and the microbial population present produces large quantities of lactic acid in response to the starch. The resulting acidosis appears to set off a chain reaction that ends with severe disruption to the hoof. We are working to develop a probiotic approach that would prevent lactic acid build-up in the horse’s cecum. In doing this, we hope to develop a preventative measure that would be effective in stopping the laminitis cascade before it even begins.

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9. Piedmont Horseman’s Association - Show Saturday, August 26 Our next show is Saturday, August 26 at Townley Equestrian Center in Randleman. Show begins at 10am. Everyone is welcome to attend. This is a nice facility to show at and they even have a covered arena! You can find a Facebook event page for the show or find out more information on the website.

Are you looking for a local open horse show association that is friendly and offers a variety of classes for all ages? Look no further…Piedmont Horseman’s Association has been around for 46 years and still going strong! PHA is offering field hunter, stock type hunter, western pleasure and working western classes. Piedmont Horseman’s Association helps create a wholesome, family atmosphere in the great sport of Horse Showing; and for each member to exhibit his or her horse or pony in a sportsmanlike manner. There are many benefits of being a member of PHA; reduced entry fee at sanctioned shows, accumulate points for year-end awards, and much more! We hope you will become part of the PHA family!!

We have 9 shows scheduled for this year so be sure to check our calendar. You can find all the details on the web site:http://www.phasince1971.com/index.htm

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10. Fall Fun Show: September 16th -

September 16th Saturday 9:00am @ Piedmont Saddle Club, Colfax, NC. Negative Coggins Required; Breakfast & Lunch Concessions on grounds. www.piedmontsaddleclub.org For more info and class list. Show Contact: Jenny Taylor: 919-323-9910 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 11. 2017 Twilight Chestnut Field Day Tuesday, September 26, 2017 5 PM High Rock Farm

960 High Rock Rd

Gibsonville, NC 27249

Come explore the opportunities available for growing local Chestnuts!

This Field Day is intended for: Anyone interested in Chestnuts Experienced Chestnut Growers Farmers looking to diversifying into a new crop Beginning Farmers Retirement Planners

High Rock Farm will be in the middle of the chestnut harvesting period. First we will be able to look at mature trees and discuss orchard planning, tree planting, tree care, and pest control! Then observe techniques of harvest to preparation for sales.

NCDA has approved this program for 2 NC Pesticide Credits in subclasses N, O, D, and X Contact Kathryn Holmes, Rockingham County Cooperative Extension Agent at [email protected] and 336-342-8238 for more information or pre- registration. There is no cost but will include light refreshments. Please plan for outside. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

12. First on Scene Trainings October 6 (for Farmers) & October 7th (Emergency Services) What to do if you come to a medical or injury event on a Farm! In a typical year, 551 workers die while doing agricultural work in the United States and about 88,000 suffer lost-time injuries. Most of these incidents are preventable. In the last ten years, there have been a numerous farm-related accidents in Guilford County, NC and our surrounding counties. The majority accidents occur during the harvest time and range from severe lacerations and broken bones, to crushed extremities and equipment-related deaths. Farmers receive minimal first aid training, but are often the first to arrive on scene at a medical or injury event on the farm. For this reason, there is a need to provide farmers with basic first aid training in case of an emergency. In rural areas, like in areas in Guilford County, where farms are isolated with difficult access, farmers can experience delays in emergency personnel arriving at a farm-related accident. Because of these problems, Guilford County Agricultural Extension Agents were concerned about the safety of farmers, farm workers, and farm family members.

With these safety issues & concerns, NC Cooperative Extension has teamed up with the folks from the NC Agromedicine Institute to offer two training sessions related to providing first aid in the farm setting; one for EMS and Fire personnel and another for farmers, farm workers, and family members. These trainings are farm-based and identified with the most frequent agricultural injuries and causes of fatalities, and will be discussing proper First on the Scene response, and how to conduct victim assessment. Many types of injuries and illnesses will be described in detail with correct first aid decisions and dealing with unsafe farming practices.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED WITH THESE TWO TRAININGS, FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES WE NEED,

- USED/OLD POWER TAKE OFF SHAFTS

- PIECES OF OLD GRAIN PANELS

- OLD COMBINE HEADS/CHOPPER IF YOU HAVE SOME OF THESE OLD PARTS AND ARE WILLING TO DONATE, PLEASE CALL ME 336-342-8235

Day 1- Friday, October 6th 9am-2pm First on Scene Farmer Safety Program Held at: Guilford County Farm, 7315 Howerton Road, Elon, NC 27244 Registration opens at 8:30am

What to do if you come to a medical or injury event on a Farm!

Day 1 is First Aid information for Farmers, Farm Workers and Farm Family Members. Covers everything from heart attack, traumatic injuries, being first on scene to tractor rollovers. Program by NC Agromedicine Institute & NC Cooperative Extension Pre-registration required Meal will be provided. This training is FREE to all farmers and farm workers.

RSVP to Deb Fuller at [email protected] or leave a message for her at (336) 641-2433. Please include your name, contact information, and number of people attending. Please RSVP by the First Week of September to: Ensure we have enough participation and because there is a limit of 40 participants each day.

Day 2 – Saturday, October 7th 8am-5pm EMS First on Scene Responding to Farm Incidents Held at: Guilford County Farm, 7315 Howerton Road, Elon, NC 27244 Registration is from 8am-8:30am Geared for Emergency Responders - First on scene responding to farm incidents.

This training session is FREE and limited to the first 40 people that sign up. All EMS workers are encouraged to bring their own equipment so they can practice with what they will be using on the job. This training session is aimed to help prepare EMS workers for being the first on scene to farm accidents. CE Credits will be given & there will be demonstrations dealing with farm equipment. In order to sign up, go to:

https://guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/2017/07/first-on-scene-trainings-october-6-7-for-farmers-emergency-services/ or call (336) 641-2433. Please include your name, contact information, and number of people attending.

A snack and lunch will be served. Please RSVP by the First Week of September to: Ensure we have enough participation and because there is a limit of 40 participants each day.

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13. The Ag Tax Issues Short Course – One being held in Guilford County Nov 3

The Ag Tax Issues short course is a day long class in which tax issues relative to production agriculture and agri-business are discussed. Attendees generally are professional tax preparers though farmers (or the farm's bookkeeper/accountant) are most welcome. A working knowledge of taxation is needed to understand discussion topics. Topics in the past have covered income and deduction reporting, Special issues such as Christmas trees income reporting and renewable energy taxation have also been discussed. Attendees receive a text which is the basis of the course framework. The short course is not a straight "lecture" course as questions and topics of interest are brought to the session by attendees. A goal of the course is to provide a suggested 8 hours of continuing education for professional income tax preparers. This will be either the 19th or 20th year this program has been available. Though the "farming community" is not the primary target audience, farmers are welcome to attend. This is a fee based program. To register for this or other Tax Short Courses go to: https://www.ncsu.edu/mckimmon/cpe/brochures/pdf/taxSchools.pdf +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 14. HAY DIRECTORY A Hay Directory is maintained by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service for the Rockingham County & Guilford County area. This directory is intended as a service to both hay producers and buyers in the area. If you are in need of hay or would like to be added (or removed) from this list please call me at 1-800-666- 3625 or 342-8235 and let me know your name, address & phone #, type of hay, number of bales, (square or round bales) and weight per bale. MANAGE YOUR PASTURES & If you have hay to sell, hay is in short supply, especially quality hay, so please let me know & I will put you on the list! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 15. Swap Shop Free - Bantam roosters, 2-3 years old, approximately 6 total, various colors 336-549-5357 Rockingham County Soil & Water has a no-till drill (grass specific) available to rent. The cost is $10 per acre planted. Call 336-342-8230 for more information. (One also available in Guilford County at 336-641-2440) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 16. Take A Load Off Building A Barn John and I were putting the siding on a barn we were building. I noticed John would take nails out of his pouch, hammer in a few and throw a few away.

I asked him why he was throwing so many nails away. He said he was throwing them away because they had the heads on the wrong end.

I shook my head and said, "John! Don't you know anything about carpentry? Those nails are for the other side of the building!" ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Retired People

Working people frequently ask retired people what they do to make their days interesting.

Well, for example, the other day, my wife and I went into town and went into a shop.

We were only in there for about 5 minutes. When we came out, there was a cop writing out a parking ticket.

We went up to him and I said, 'Come on man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?'

He ignored us and continued writing the ticket.. I called him an idiot.

He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn tires.

So Mary called him a moron. He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first.

Then he started writing a third ticket. This went on for about 20 minutes.

The more we abused him, the more tickets he wrote. Just then our bus arrived and we got on it and went home. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ After having a disagreement, an older married couple drove down a country lane for several minutes without saying a word to each other. Both believed they were right, and neither wanted to give in.

They approached a pasture with a pack of mules.

"Relatives of yours?" the husband asked, gesturing at the group of animals.

"Yep," the wife replied. "In-laws."

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Ben Chase Rockingham and Guil ford County Extension Agent Agriculture & Livestock North Carolina State Un iversity North Carolina Cooperative Exten sion, 525 NC 65, Suite 200, Reidsville, NC 2 7320 (336) 342-8235 800-666-3625 Fax: 336-342 -8242 Email : [email protected] http://rockingham.ces.ncsu.ed u/index.php?page=animalagriculture