May 1, 2024
Submitted by: Brian Beer, CUCES Area Livestock and Forages Agent and Dr. Sean Eastman, Director of Animal Health Programs, CU Livestock Poultry Health We have received some questions about USDA’s Electronic ID Rule, released on April 26, 2024. Some poorly worded popular press articles have caused confusion about what this new rule requires. Dr. Sean […]
February 14, 2024
Submitted by: Matthew Fischer, Clemson Extension Livestock Economist and Brian Beer, Clemson Extension Area Livestock and Forages Agent The 2024 January Cattle Inventory Report was released by the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) on January 31, 2024. Below are some insights from the report. As of January 1, 2024, the US cattle inventory totaled 87.2 […]
January 22, 2024
Submitted by: Matthew J. Fischer CCA Clemson Livestock and Forage Economist Long held tradition (and fact) states that feeder bulls will be discounted to feeder steers, obvious reasons. Does this always occur and is it consistent? It depends. Observing USDA-AMS sale barn data from South Carolina between 2009-2023 for September marketings, when many calves are sold in the state, […]
September 19, 2023
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 […]
September 19, 2023
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 […]
September 19, 2023
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 15, 2023
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 […]
August 11, 2023
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 […]
July 28, 2023
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 […]
July 25, 2023
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 […]
