There's a LOT going on!

First and foremost...WAY TO GO to the Skill-A-Thon team! They are on fire! The following individuals competed at the 2011 N.C. State Fair Skill-A-Thon Competition and have a lot to show for it!

Megan Downs - 14th overall in the Jr. Division
Jonathan Murphy - 11th overall in the Jr. Division
Ashley Murphy - 9th overall in the Jr. Division

So proud of them! Keep up the hard work and it will take you far in life!

Also - there are lots of great events coming up through N.C. Cooperative Extension!

N.C. Cooperative Extension presents the 2011 Winter Agricultural Workshop Series:

Pasture Management: November 2, 2011 at the Craven County Cooperative Extension Office, sponsored lunch will be provided and this event is free to the public. One hour of pesticide credits will be offered for N,O,D, and X licenses. Chemical representatives will be here to discuss how to properly manage your pastures, and seeding rates. Please call and register at (252) 633.1477.

Introduction to Backyard Chicken Management: November 16, 2011 at the Craven County Economic Development Office (please use the back door), sponsored lunch will be provided and this event is free to the public. Dr. Donna Carver from NC State University will be here to discuss how to get into backyard chickens, how to build a coop, and discuss breeds, eggs, and diseases. Please call and register at (252) 633.1477.

Wildlife Nuisance Management: December 14, 2011 at the Craven County Cooperative Extension Office, sponsored lunch will be provided and this event is free to the public. Wildlife officers and wildlife trappers will be discussing proper ways to rid of nuisance wildlife as well as laws, rules, and regulations Great for livestock owners, farmers, hunters, and youth. Please call and register at (252) 633.1477.

Other events coming up in N.C. Cooperative Extension:

Livestock Veterinary Service's Dr. Justin Martin with cooperation from REINS and N.C. Cooperative Extension present a Coggins and Vaccine Clinic: November 5, 2011 at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena (beside the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office). Please call Livestock Veterinary Services at (252) 933.1483 for the price list and to reserve your spot.

Southeast Regional Pork Conference: November 17, 2011 at the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office, $5 for event including lunch, 6 hours of CEC will be offered, event is limited to the first 125 people to sign up. Please call and register at (252) 527.2191.

Eastern Carolina Cattleman's Conference: December 6, 2011 at the Sampson County Agri-Exposition Center, $20 pre registration, $25 at the door including lunch. Please call and register at (910) 296.2143.

Colic in Horses

             You walk outside to feed your horses in the afternoon and notice that one is not eating or drinking. Your horse is attempting to roll, pawing at the ground, sweating, getting up and down, and curling his upper lip. What is wrong with your horse? In this article, we will discuss the symptoms, types, treatment, and prevention of colic in horses. It is very important to familiarize yourself with various horse problems and diseases, so in the event of a medical emergency, you will be able to give your veterinarian as much information as possible.

            Your horse may have severe abdominal pain also known as colic. There are many different types of colic including: dry food impaction, gas distention of the large bowel, acute inflammation of the small intestine, parasites that cause a decrease in blood flow to the intestine, or a distended stomach. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should call your veterinarian immediately. Also, if you notice your horse has rapid breathing, violent activity, profuse sweating, or a cold, clammy feeling, your horse may have gone into shock and it is imperative you call your veterinarian.

            When treating colic, veterinarians first try to figure out what type of colic they are trying to treat. Medication will be given to the horse to control the pain. How the horse responds to the treatment determines how severe the condition of colic is affecting the horse. One important thing to remember when treating colic is that it is very important to reduce the pressure in the stomach. Oral medications may be needed to lubricate a mass or to help prevent further gas distention.

            There are many ways to prevent colic, which include: a parasite control program which is especially important for young animals, regular feeding schedule using good quality horse feeds, and avoiding sudden changes to the horse’s diet in amounts of feed or kinds of feed.  Also, another way to prevent colic is to provide clean, fresh water so your horse can access it at all times.  Adding salt or a salt block to the diet is also a good choice.

            While colic is a digestive disease common to horses, it is not the only digestive disease. Other digestive diseases in horses include: choke, Potomac Horse Fever, foal heat diarrhea, laminitis, and blister beetles. It is always recommended that you have a strong patient-client-veterinarian relationship in not only routine check-ups, but in case you have any emergency. If you have any questions about colic or how to prevent / be prepared for colic, or any of the other listed digestive diseases common to horses, please feel free to contact Margaret Bell at the Jones County Cooperative Extension office at (252) 448.9621 or email Margaret_Bell@ncsu.edu.

By: Margaret A. Bell, Livestock – Craven & Jones Counties

Compiled from Equine Science: Second Edition by Rick Parker

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.  North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

Congratulations to our Skill-A-Thon Team!

Hello everybody!

First of all, I want to congratulate the three individuals who competed at the Wayne County Fair Skill-A-Thon Contest this past week:

Jonathan Murphy
Ashley Murphy
Cheyenne Pike

They did a great job! Jonathan placed 1st in Jr. 4-H and Ashley placed 7th in Jr. 4-H! Cheyenne is too young to be placed but she did a wonderful job as well! Way to go everyone! I am so proud of you and can't wait for your next chance to SHINE!

Please let me know if your child will be competing in our next Skill-A-Thon competition which is Sunday, Oct. 30 in Raleigh at the Beef Educational Unit on Lake Wheeler Road. I plan to drive up that morning very early. Registration is from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM and the contest will last until noon. We will drive back that afternoon. PLEASE let me know if your child will be able to attend ASAP. The deadline for registration is this week. There is a registration fee that will be covered for your child. If you would like to attend as a parent, please let me know so we can cover your cost as well.

We will have practice Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM at the Jones County Office for those who can attend. Please let me know if you will be able to attend ASAP.

Also, I want to congratulate the youth representing North Carolina at the National Skill-A-Thon Competition! They received numerous individual awards as well as team awards including 5th place OVERALL:

Michaela Seitter
Casie Ingram
Elizabeth Rowe

Thanks and again, congratulations!!