Bucolic briefs
The Southern/National Draft Horse Pull and Coon Mule Jump event will be held Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. in the Hunt Horse Complex at the State Fairgrounds. The show will be held in conjunction with the Southern Farm Show. Twenty teams of giant draft horses will compete for bragging rights and prize money as they pull to see who can move the most weight on a weighted sled. The competition is divided into two categories – heavyweights (above 3,300 pounds) and lightweights (less than 3,300 pounds). Teams can typically pull up to twice their weight. In the Coon Mule Jump, mules will attempt to clear the highest height from a stationary position. Some mules have been known to clear 6 feet. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Children under 6 are admitted free with a paying adult. For more, contact Calvin Davis at 919-732-7542 or Rob Hall at 336-503-7183.
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The 61st Annual N.C. Dairymen's Conference will be held Feb. 16 & 17, at the Hickory Metro Convention Center, Hickory. The conference is an opportunity for dairy producers from North Carolina, South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and southern Virginia to network with each other, hear from national speakers and browse a trade show boasting more than 100 exhibitors. The Dairymen's Conference is held in conjunction with the North Carolina Cattlemen's Conference.
Conference speakers include: Andrew Branan, Wright Law, addressing farm transition and estate planning; Dr. Ray Nebel, Select Sires Inc, discussing strategic reproduction protocols; Dr. David Marshall and Dr. Tom Ray, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, addressing animal identification; and Cheryl Hayn, Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, presenting on activities to enhance the image of dairy producers. Additional topics include biosecurity activities in the Mid-Atlantic and a producer's panel featuring nationally recognized dairy producers.
Other events include a dairy industry dinner and the annual meeting of the N.C. Dairy Producers Association. For agenda and registration information, go to www.ncdairyadvantage.com or contact Matthew Lange, dairy development coordinator, N.C. Dairy Advantage Program, phone 919-740-1762; or email at mlange@ncdairyadvantage.com.
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A Coggins/Rabies clinic for horses will be held March 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher. Contact Tony Youngblood at 828-693-7387 for more information.
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The New Bern Farmers Market is looking for producers of farm and farm related products to be vendors at the market. The New Bern market is open every Saturday all year. For more information, contact Julie McKeon at 252-637-4172.
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The North Carolina chapter of Re-Run, a nonprofit organization that places ex-racehorses into adoptive homes, now has thoroughbred racehorses available for adoption. Thoroughbreds are versatile and do well in any number of disciplines including shows, events, fox hunting or pleasure riding, according to Elizabeth Macdonald with Re-Run. For more, go to www.rerun.org or contact Elizabeth Macdonald at hemacd@mindspring.com.
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