agriculture – Moore County Edition

Feb

14

2024

Rep. Hudson meets with farmers, discusses ag and rural issues

‌SILER CITY — Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) joined farmers and agricultural interests for a discussion on Thursday, Feb. 8 at Bestfood Cafeteria in Siler City. In between bites of fried chicken and refills of sweet tea, Hudson talked about the importance of the agriculture industry in North Carolina. “Our farmers are backbone of our communities and in addition to providing us with the most abundant, cheapest food in the world, the food and fiber we need to survive as a country comes from our farmers,” Hudson told North State Journal. “I’ve always been committed to helping them fight off federal…

Jul

27

2022

0 Comments

By Ryan Henkel, North State Journal

Moore County to see big influx with 67th Annual Robbins Farmers Day

Features, Newsagriculture, festival, Robbins, Robbins Farmers Day

ROBBINS — The Town of Robbins will host the 67th Robbins Farmers Day event starting Thursday, August 4, and it will run through Saturday, August 6 in downtown Robbins. Robbins Farmers Day is a weekend-long event that kicks off with a 5K race, and features live music, demonstrations, carnival rides, fireworks, a variety of food and craft stalls, and more, all culminating in the Robbins Farmers Day Parade on Saturday. The festival begins on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. featuring “Gospel on the Depot Stage,” with live music being provided by Pioneers and Potters Will running until 9 p.m. The Farmers Day 5km run/walk also…

Dec

30

2021

0 Comments

By Jeannie M. Leonard

A big year for agriculture in Randolph County

Featuresagriculture, corn, gardening, livestock, randolph county

ASHEBORO — Whole COVID continued to impact indoor and outdoor activities in 2021, one outdoor activity maintained its normal pace — farming. As one of North Carolina’s most productive livestock counties, Randolph County’s agriculture industry plays an important role in feeding our state and nation. In 2013, North Carolina had its highest average corn yields on record, with 142 bushels per acre. While the numbers from 2021 are not finalized, surveys say this year will be the new record year. Corn yields in Randolph County were spectacular this year and — based on preliminary data — the country will exceed…

Dec

17

2021

0 Comments

By Blake Szilvay

Feral swine program starting in Randolph County

Newsagriculture, feral swine

ASHEBORO — For years, feral swine populations have been growing across the United States and can now be found across North Carolina. Randolph County will play a critical role in helping eliminate feral swine in N.C. thanks to a new program targeting the animals in Randolph and five other counties. The destruction feral swine cause is a significant threat to agriculture and the environment and costs $1.5 billion in damages annually in the U.S. Known as feral swine, feral hogs, or wild hogs — these animals have few natural predators, which allows them to spread unfettered without human intervention. While…

Dec

15

2021

0 Comments

By Bob Sutton

Another agriculture center proposal coming to Randolph

Businessagriculture, Asheboro, economy

ASHEBORO — County leaders will again be considering an agriculture center proposal which could bring development to a county-owned parcel on East Dixie Drive in Asheboro. The county bought land in 2016 with a potential agriculture center in mind. Plans for that facility were presented and considered after the land was acquired with costs estimates at $58 million. That earlier proposal would have resulted in tax increases to fund both the construction and operation of the facility. The county commissioners passed a resolution in 2019 asking the state for up to $10 million in funding to support a “first phase”…

Sep

22

2021

0 Comments

By Annie Mills

Planting Native Trees and Shrubs

Business, Entertainmentagriculture, Annie Mills

Late fall is an excellent time to plant trees and shrubs in the south. Cooler fall days are a pleasant time for us work outdoors, plus a fall planting gives roots time to establish, giving you a better performing plant next summer than one planted in the spring. More frequent gentle rains also mean you will not have to spend as much time and labor watering new plants. Woody plants provide a multitude of functions in your landscape, so take some time to think about what purpose you might want your new tree or shrub to serve before planting. Trees…

Sep

09

2021

0 Comments

By Blake Szilvay | For the Randolph Record

Safely sharing the road with farm equipment

Business, Governmentagriculture, farming, NC State

ASHEBORO — During the Spring and Fall, the volume of farm equipment appearing on the road increases significantly. In the Fall, farmers are working hard to harvest crops in a narrow window of time with unpredictable weather. They rely on large equipment designed to aid them in these tasks, equipment that is not designed to match the speed of a common automobile on the road. Generally, this equipment will be travelling no more than 30 mph. Public roads are dangerous with passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles interacting. Adding farm equipment increases accident risks for farmers and for motorists. Studies in…

Sep

09

2021

0 Comments

By Moore County Staff

Tobacco growers will vote on research funding

Businessagriculture, Cooperative Extension, Extension Service, Tobacco

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Tobacco Research Referendum will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021, from 8:30am to noon. Blake Szilvay, County Referendum Chairman, said one polling place has been established in Randolph County at the Randolph County Extension Office located at 1003 S. Fayetteville Street, Asheboro. The referendum lets tobacco growers vote on whether they desire to continue the self-assessment program that funds research and extension projects at the Tobacco Research Commission housed at NC State University. This program has been in place since 1991, and the law requires that a new referendum be held every six years.…

Aug

24

2021

0 Comments

By Allison Walker

4-H Livestock show brings regional competitors to Randolph

Business, Newsagriculture, cattle

ASHEBORO — The seventh annual 4-H/FFA Livestock Show was held in Asheboro on August 7. The event featured 68 competitors showing cattle and goats from Randolph, Guilford, Chatham, Stanly, Cabbarus, Johnston, Rockingham, Richmond, Anson, Cumberland, Wake, Person, Moore, Montgomery and Stokes counties. Scarlett Farms in Snow Camp hosted the event. Brandon Hartman served as judge and the Trinity High School FFA served concessions. The competition featured youth competitors in showmanship and a separate competition based on the animal’s characteristics and classification. The youth competitors were judged for showmanship which included handling the animal, eye contact with the judge, setting the…

Aug

04

2021

0 Comments

By Jonas Asbill | For the North State Journal

Are your chickens cool enough to beat the heat?

Business, Entertainmentagriculture, chickens

ASHEBORO — Summer heat and humidity is upon us and we are all looking for ways to cool off. Your backyard feathered friends are no exception. Chickens are becoming popular as backyard egg producers and pets so owners should be on the lookout for heat stress on members of their flocks as the summer heat reaches its peak. An experienced chicken keeper knows their flock, their personalities and habits. This type of relationship provides you quick insight into changes in flock disposition that can be an early sign that something is a little off. Disease or other stressors can decrease…