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Last week’s hard freeze brought an end to any hopes that a drought-breaking rain could yet yield some fall grazing. At this writing there is no significant rain in the forecast for our region but even if Rockbridge were to receive significant rain, it would have to be followed by a very unusual spate of warm temperatures to produce an amount of grazeable grass sufficient to address the current shortage.
So, a many folks with grazing livestock or horses are facing limited inventories of hay. For folks short on hay, it may be impossible to find hay to buy or the hay available may be very expensive. Now is an important moment to remember our livestock and horses do not have to be presented with all the hay they can eat. These animals have a fiber requirement but they do not require ad libitum (as much as desired) quantities. Ruminants and horses need some long fiber (as opposed to pelletized feed) to stimulate normal digestive function.
So, many folks will give their livestock “only the hay they will clean-up.” This will most likely lead to a considerable shortfall in calories and protein the livestock need to sustain themselves. Purchased feed is expensive but now is the time to begin feeding alternative feeds to stretch those limited hay supplies through the winter.
Contact the Rockbridge Extension Office at (540) 463-4734 for free assistance in determining the right combination of feeds that maximizes the utilization of hay and ensures livestock needs are met specific to your animals and circumstances.
Two-day virtual workshops are scheduled to take place on the Virginia Tech campus that will prepare participants with the knowledge necessary to take the FAA Remote Knowledge Aircraft Test (aka Part 107). Participants are provided with an overview of federal regulations and best flight operational strategies and safety.
This training has been utilized by educators, state and federal agency employees, and the private sector (engineers, realtors, and others). This workshop is an excellent resource for individuals considering using drones to support business applications or for managers who want to make decisions regarding drone data collection options.
A limited number of discounted registrations are available for full-time high school teachers.
The workshop will be held twice in order to accommodate more participants. The first workshop will take place Dec. 14-15, and the second offering will be Jan. 4-5. More information about the workshop and online registrations is available at https://virginiaview.cnre. vt.edu/workshops-events/.
