By Morgan Watts

Rowan Cooperative Extension

The N.C. Cooperative Extension Rowan County 4-H program has a new and exciting opportunity, a 4-H Livestock Club.

The first meeting will be held Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Agriculture Center, 2727 Old Concord Road. The meeting is open to any youth ages 5-18 as of Jan. 1, 2018.

The club will be for youth interested in beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, meat/dairy goats, hogs or poultry. The meetings will be held the first Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.

There are many opportunities that are available for youth dealing with livestock. They range from being on a judging team to having a show animal. If you have any questions or would like more information, please call Morgan Watts, Rowan County Extension Livestock Agent, at 704-216-8970.

I would encourage anyone who has dairy or beef cattle to attend the 67^th Annual North Carolina Cattlemen’s and Dairy Conference. The conference will be Feb. 22-24 at the Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory. The dairy programs will be held on Feb. 22, with the beef cattle programs being held on Feb. 23 and 24.

For more information and to register, please go to https://www.nccattle.com/news-events/annual-conference. The cost to attend is $85 for full registration.