Submitted by: Liliane Silva, Clemson University Forages Specialist Forage quality is commonly defined as the nutrient concentration and digestibility of forages. It is important to emphasize that in the technical literature, forage quality is defined by forage nutritive value and intake. The nutrient concentration of forages directly impacts individual animal performance (e.g., growth, milk production), while […]
Submitted by: Liliane Silva, Forages Specialist, Clemson University Stockpiling is a management practice that defers forage availability for use later. This practice helps to decrease costs associated with feeding hay in livestock operations. In the southeast U.S., perennial grasses such as bahiagrass and bermudagrass are used to close the forage gap in early fall and extend […]
Submitted by: Matthew Fischer, CUCES Agribusiness As the 2023 hay season ends, the last cuttings are being baled and balers are being parked for the year. Loader tractors will have some rest before it’s time to start feeding out hay. When purchasing hay here are some questions to consider: How much hay do I need […]
September 17-23, 2023No One Can Take Your Place Submitted by: Marion Barnes, County Extension Agent, Clemson University Anyone actively involved in farming can tell you about the hazards and risks encountered while providing the food, fiber and fuel this country and the world is so dependent upon. Just as consumers sometimes overlook the important role […]
Submitted by: Olivia Mathis, Liliane Silva, Ana Thayer Overview of Forage Systems in South CarolinaThe beef livestock industry is one of the most important agricultural activities in South Carolina. Forages are the primary feed source for livestock due to favorable climatic conditions, a wide range of adapted forage species, and local access to nutrient sources, such […]
Submitted by: Amber Starnes, CUCES Livestock and Forages Agent South Carolina summers mean high temperatures and humidity. With an increase in both temperature and humidity, there are several factors to take into consideration with equine management. Equines use sweat to cool their bodies during the summer. Just for maintenance horses need a minimum of 5 […]
Submitted by: Steve Richards, CUCES Agribusiness Agent Whether you are a homesteader raising backyard chickens or a chicken producer looking to sell ready-to-cook chickens at the farmers’ market, you have probably wondered how much it costs to raise, process, and sell chickens from start to finish. This is a complex question, as many different costs […]
Submitted by: Lauren Knight, CUCES Summer Intern Nicole Correa, CUCES Livestock and Forages Agent As warmer summer temperatures are quickly approaching, it is important to be sure your small ruminants are staying cool. Small ruminants such as goats and sheep can show signs of heat stress in temperatures as cool as 75 degrees.1 Producers must […]
Author: Liliane Silva, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Forage-Livestock Systems, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University In the Southeast, most livestock operations are based on perennial grasses, such as tall fescue and bermudagrass. Summer annual forages are high-quality, fast-growing forages that can supplement forage production and quality to support animal performance. They are planted from […]
The 2023 January Cattle Inventory Report was released by the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) on January 31, 2023. Below are some insights from the report. As of January 1, 2023, the US cattle inventory totaled 89.3 million head, 3 percent lower than the January 2022 inventory of 93.8 million head (See Figure 1). The […]
