Agenda - 09-16-2008 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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' Nortlt C~ta Cooperative Extension SE , 69 p,athameonnty cents North t~roliaa Cooperative PxLension Service Norrb Carolina Stag University Post Of1.rce Box 279 Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312 PiIANE: 919542.8202 FAX: 9 t 9 542.8246 Prmarl: marti day®acsaedu July 3d, 2008 To Whom It May Concern: As chair of the Agricultare Committee for the Montessori Farm School, I have been asked to draft a plan to share with all concerned parties for pasture management and livestock husbandry for the school at the proposed Terry Road site. If there are further questions not addressed by this plan, T am happy to entertain questions and provide answers as I can. The area designated for pasture at the present totals 1.36 acres. The soils at this site are in the Georgeville series and have a Realistic Yeld Expectation of 4 tons of dry matter forage per acre annually. Fertilized according to current agronomic rates, this 1.36 acre pasture would produce 5.4 tons of forage dry matter annually. Considering animal intake at 2% of body weight, this production rate would support 1500 pounds of animal weight for 365 days or a calculated equivalent for any portion less than a full year. Current forage growing in the area intended for pasture is a mixture of native warm and cool~season grasses. If deemed necessary, improved forage varieties and an intensive grazing management plan could increase the number of livestock that could be grazed on this portion of the school property. Also, more land can be allocated for pasture in the future if the need for livestock grazing dictates such. The current livestock plan calls for the inclusion of two elderly school ponies that will not be pastured due to health and nutritional concerns. All of their forage will be fed in the form of dry hay. Weaned calves for a six week 4-H Dairy Calf•1?roject for the Extended Day and Elementary students would be the primary grazing livestock housed at the school. These calves are borrowed from a local dairyman and are only on site during the six weeks of the project. Fencing for the pasture will be a combination of wire and wood fencing materials best suited for exclusion of predators and absolute containment of the grazing livestock. Animals will have constant access to shade ar-d shelter in the teaching barn. Water wilt be provided from two wells to be sited behind the school building, Again, I am happy to answer any further questions concerning the livestock grazing plan and provide the name of our veterinarian if needed. We have a long standing relationship. with our veterinarian and I am sure that he would be happy to provide a statement reinforcing the fact that our Head of School has an excellent record of care for all her animals in the past. Sincerely, `~...~ Vt Yl~.. I - Martina P. Day Extension Area Specialized Agent Agriculture -Dairy Employment and ptogratn opportunities are offered to all people regardless of Taco, color, national origin, sez, agewr disability. In addition, the two universi6ea welcome all persons without regard tQ aworal orientation. Nasth Carotins Stan University, North Carolina A&T Stato University, U. S. Department of Agrientturc, and local governments cooperating.