Savannah Valley District

Turkey Prices Looking Better Ahead of 2023 Holidays

David Mansfield, Agribusiness Agent Wholesale prices for frozen turkeys have dropped just in time for the 2023 holiday season. In August 2023, the average price for frozen whole turkeys was $1.27 per pound, which decreased to $1.25 per pound in September, marking the lowest price since July 2021. This price decrease follows a previous rise […]

Fall and Winter Agricultural Programs

Jonathan Croft,  Orangeburg County Agriculture Extension Agent  As we get into the fall and winter, much of our crop harvest is completed, and the meeting season for Clemson Extension Agricultural Agents and Specialists begins.  Agents and specialists will cover program topics such as pesticide safety, agronomic crop production, ag economics and more.  At this time, […]

Leave the Leaves!

Janet Steele, Area Forestry & Wildlife Agent It is that time of year again – football games, trips to the mountains to pick apples and see the pretty fall colors, making plans to gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, and the hum of leaf blowers. While the first activities on this list are a […]

Fall Crop Report

Phillip Carnley, Area Horticulture Agent Leafy greens are being harvested with great quality and quantity. There has been less feeding damage from the diamondback caterpillar and an increase in looper and yellow-striped armyworm feeding. I have also seen a little bit of cutworm damage to fields that were transplanted late. Disease pressure has been very […]

Proper Hay Sampling Techniques

Written by Livestock and Forages Agents – Nicole Correa, Sallie Thompson, Marion Barnes, Travis Mitchell and Hillary Pope With the fall weather starting to peek through, it is essential to start considering making hay purchases for the winter season. With all the options available, how does one choose? There are multiple grass and legume options, […]

Woods in Your Backyard

Amanda Taylor, Forestry and Natural Resources Agent Introductory lecture by Amanda Taylor The word “woods” often evokes romantic images of vast forests, when really, you probably have some woods in your backyard. Your quarter acre of pine trees or pollinator garden may not be very big, but small landowners play a key role in the […]

Annual Savannah Valley 4-H Market Hog Sale & Awards Program

Meghan Barkley 4-H Youth Development Agent Ehrhardt, SC- Local 4-H members were rewarded for their dedication on Sunday, October 23rd at H&S Stockyards by participating in the annual Savannah Valley 4-H Market Hog Sale & Awards Program.  Participants sold a total of 10 animals with an average price of $1,081 per animal and a high-selling […]

Conservation Burial: Turning Your Haunt into Hallowed Ground

Amanda Taylor, Forestry and Natural Resources Agent Land is a legacy, something you pass on to your children and your children’s children. Historically, when someone passed away, family members managed all of the affairs, including the care of the body. But somewhere along the way, we lost parlors in our homes, funeral parlors took over, […]

Around the Countryside Tips for Buying Hay

Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent Clemson University When it comes to producing hay, livestock producers experience seasons of shortage and abundance. As winter nears, beef cattle producers should take stock of their hay inventories to ensure an adequate supply to get them through until next spring. Not every cattle producer has the luxury to […]

National Farm Safety and Health Week

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 depend on. Just as consumers sometimes overlook the important role farmers play in their lives, farmers often overlook the dangers of farming. […]