LOUISBURG, N.C. — The popular annual Five-County BEEF Tour will take place this year on Tuesday, June 21st and will be hosted by Franklin County. The five counties on the tour include Franklin, Vance, Granville, Warren and Wake. However, interested producers from throughout the region and state are invited to attend and participate in this educational, very diverse tour. Registration will take place starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Center, located at the intersection of 401 (Bickett Blvd.) and Hwy 56 E in Louisburg.
The first stop on the tour will be at Springfield Angus, owned and operated by Dr. Phil Goodson. Discussion of selection of genetic merit will be conducted along with a tour of the farm’s reproductive lab facility and viewing of outstanding Black Angus cattle with Dr. Goodson.
The second stop will be at the Perry Farm, owned by Marty and Julie Perry. At this stop, we will see a purebred and commercial Simmental herd. A representative from NRCS will discuss programs related to cost share for livestock producers. “Fly control in the Herd: Fly tags vs. others methods,” will also be discussed by Sampson County Ag Agent, Paul Gonzalez.
The third stop will be divided into two stops; the first stop will be to see a summer annual and perennial forage plot where creep grazing of calves will be implemented. The second portion of this stop will be at First Fruits Farm and the Amazing Graze Barn, owned and operated by Jason and Tay Brown and Family. A cool season test plot will be viewed along with a demonstration of using forage sticks discussed by local Agricultural Agent, Martha Mobley. NRCS from Greensboro will present a “rainfall simulation” on forage, discussing runoff of water and nutrients vs. keeping rain on your pastures.
During a sponsored ribeye steak sandwich BEEF lunch, a NCDA&CS Meat Marketing Specialist will present “Direct Marketing Meat Tips for your Beef Operation.”
Both pesticide and animal waste operators credit hours will be given to those that attend. The tour will conclude around 2:30 p.m. with door prizes and an evaluation. Everyone is asked to carpool to the various stops.
To download a tour brochure, visit our website, https://franklin.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/10/cow-camp-101-back-to-the-basics/. Registration is required. Deadline to register for the tour is Friday, June 17th by 5:00 p.m. Register online at the following link: go.ncsu.edu/2022_five_county_regional_beef_tour . Contact Agent Martha Mobley, martha_mobley@ncsu.edu, or 919-496-3344 for more information.
–N.C. State Extension
