The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from stores in Ashe, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Moore, Surry, Watauga, Yadkin counties because of excessive price-scanner errors. The stores represent 11 of 42 stores fined across North Carolina during the first quarter of 2022.
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With the arrival of spring and warmer weather, strawberry farms are opening for shoppers and, undoubtedly, strawberry lovers are ready for local berries. “Growers have done a good job protecting the crop from recent cool temperatures and because of their hard work, this year’s strawberry crop looks to be plentiful,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “In fact, some fields are opening up for pick-your-own guests this weekend.”
Spring brings our lawns and gardens alive from the winter. Spring is also an excellent time to submit your soil samples to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services soil testing lab for lime and fertilizer recommendations.“Soil testing helps protect the environment by determining and advising users on what nutrients are needed to ensure optimal plant growth,” said Jagathi Kamalakanthan, NCDA&CS soil agronomist. “Plus, it can save people money especially since fertilizer costs have increased dramatically this year.”
WHO/WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The N.C. Plant Conservation Board will meet to discuss items related to land conservation, stewardship efforts of the N.C. Plant Conservation Program and regulatory matters. Wednesday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The N.C. Structural Pest Control Committee recently approved settlement agreements for cases in Davidson, Rowan and Wake counties at its recent meeting in Raleigh. Following are the agreements:
State Veterinarian Mike Martin announced today that all North Carolina poultry shows, and public sales will be suspended due to the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza. This includes all exhibitions, farm tours, shows, sales, flea markets, auction markets, swaps and meets pertaining to poultry and feathered fowl in North Carolina. These activities are suspended until further notice.
Two additional commercial turkey operations in Johnston County have tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza. These farms were identified during increased surveillance following the first positive HPAI case and are located in the 10 kilometer or 6.2 mile zone identified as a result of that positive case.The positive samples were identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic lab in Raleigh. The samples have been sent to the USDA APHIS National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, Iowa to confirm the positive result.
The North Carolina Egg Association (NCEA) has been awarded a grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) for $106,800, which will be used to support an integrated communications campaign to reach consumers within the state with interesting, relevant information about egg farming, nutrition and preparation.
A commercial turkey operation in Johnston County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza. The positive sample was first identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh and confirmed by the USDA APHIS National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, Iowa.Since late January, the HPAI virus has been found in 48 commercial farms in 12 states and 32 backyard flocks in 13 states. This is the first case of high path avian influenza in domestic poultry in North Carolina.
WHO/WHAT:Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is hosting an open house celebrating the completion of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ largest ever building project. The event will include tours of the necropsy, fuel quality and biological labs.