By Tom Stanley, Extension Agent
Saving Calves
And Controlling Weeds
Recent rain and milder temperatures are bringing hope for spring. Two events in early March can help stockmen and land managers succ essfully navigate spring and the 2026 growing season.
Virginia’s mild climate allows cattle producers flexibility in timing of their breeding and calving seasons but the spring remains the most common time period for cows to be calving. Cattle are extremely valuable, especially in the current market where a live healthy baby calf can be worth $1,000.
Virginia Tech food animal veterinary specialist Dr. John Currin will lead a calving workshop on Wednesday, March 4, at 6 p.m. at the Natural Bridge Fire Department. Dr. Currin uses a dummy calf and the pelvic bones from a cow to demonstrate different presentations of the calf at birth and how to assist in the delivery of the calf in an emergency where the calf’s presentation is not normal. This workshop was preceded by an excellent video session Dr. Currin led in December on dealing with calving problems that is available for viewing at https://rockbridge. ext.vt.edu/.
Cost of attending the workshop is $10 and includes a h ot s upper. T he program is free to members of the Rockbridge Cattlemen’s Association and you can join the Association that evening. Preregistration is required and you can do so by going to https:// tinyurl.com/calvingclinic-4march26 or calling me, Tom Stanley, at the Rockbridge Extension Office at (540) 463-4734. -The promise of spring also means a new flush of vegetation, including the unwanted k ind. A ggressive invasive weeds are a significant challenge for land managers and for anyone working to restore or enhance our native ecosystems and habitats.
Rockbridge County Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension, will hold a weed control seminar at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 9, in the Appomattox Mezzanine of the Virginia Horse Center.
The evening will begin with a presentation by Scott Nye, district roadside manager for the Virginia Department of Transportation. After a question-andanswer session with Mr. Nye, Dr. Michael Flessner, Virginia Tech weed specialist, will address weed control on farmland in Rockbridge and answer questions from the audience.
Anyone interested in the range of challenges related to controlling problem vegetation along our roads and in our fields will find this program informative and useful. The March 9 event is free and open to the public. T here will not be a meal at the weed control seminar so have supper before you arrive!
For more information on these two events or topics related to farm and natural resources, contact me at (540) 463-4734.
