Hurricane Irene

Please be aware that while Sampson County is not currently under a Hurricane Warning, we are under a Flood watch starting at 6pm this evening. You must cease pumping within 4 hours of this watch coming into effect. If you have questions regarding your waste permit or sustain damage during the storm please contact me on my cell phone.

Also please be aware, that starting at 6pm the livestock facility located at 93 Agriculture Place will be open as a pet shelter. Pets must have identification and be up to date on all shots.

On October 1, 2009, your general permit changed and some of the permit conditions changed too. Below is the new

land application rule in regards to a Hurricane Warning, Tropical Storm Warning or a Flood Watch. If you have any questions, call the Extension Office at 862-4591 or NRCS/SWC office at 862-3179 ext 3.

Section II 22. Land application of waste is prohibited during precipitation events. The Permittee shall consider pending weather conditions in making the decision to land apply waste and shall document the weather conditions at the time of land application on forms supplied or approved by the Division.

Land application of waste shall cease within four (4) hours of the time that the National Weather Service issues a Hurricane Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, or a Flood Watch associated with a tropical system including a hurricane, tropical storm or tropical depression for the county in which the permitted facility is located. Watches and warnings are posted on the National Weather Service’s website located at www.weather.gov or by calling the Fayetteville NWS.

Nitrate Toxicity during Drought

This summer has proven to be a tough year on agriculture. Sampson County is listed in a severe state of drought and some areas of the County haven’t seen rain since early May. With high heat and little rain pastures and hay fields are suffering. If you’re not careful your livestock too may suffer. Not from heat stress, but from nitrate toxicity.

Under ideal growing conditions plants will absorb the nitrates from the soil and convert them into plant proteins. However, during drought stress, plant growth is decreased and nitrates begin to accumulate, sometimes at toxic levels. Many animals are sensitive to high nitrates. Sheep are typically the most sensitive along with lactating animals. Nitrate levels of 0.0% to .25% are generally considered safe for all types of animals.

To determine if you have high nitrate levels in your pastures or in your hay you can do a forage analysis. For a pasture grab random handfuls of grass through out the pasture. For Hay use a hay probe sample at least 25% of your bales. A forage analysis cost 5.00 and is done by the NCDA Lab in Raleigh. Samples should be sent in immediately. The Extension office can assist in helping you take samples, fill out the paper work, and get the samples sent in. Testing your hay and pastures can save you money and damage in livestock losses during this hot dry weather.