Clemson Extension Upstate District

2024 Saluda County Livestock and Forages Updates

Travis Mitchell
Livestock and Forages Agent for Newberry and Saluda Counties
Director for The South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association

 
Livestock and Forage producers around South Carolina are certainly ready for spring.  The spring bull and replacement heifer sales are in full swing, as this always seems to be a very busy time of the year.  As we move into 2024, input costs in every agriculture sector continue to rise.  Producers will face many challenges this year as they manage their budgets to navigate the rise in input costs.
The South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association held its annual meeting and convention on February 2 at the T.Ed. Garrison Arena in Clemson.  The educational components of the meeting focused on the beef cattle market outlook and investment strategies during market peaks.  Scholarships and state awards of excellence were also presented.  The South Carolina Cattlemen’s Foundation awarded four scholarships to deserving college students.
The Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association will hold its 32nd Annual Replacement Heifer Sale on Saturday, February 24.  Over 85 bred and open heifers will be auctioned from Saluda County cattlemen.
The Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association met on February 6.  Participants listened to an excellent presentation from Mr. Matthew Fischer, Clemson Extension Ag Economist.  Mr. Fischer gave producers a look into market expectations as we move through 2024.
The Saluda County Extension Service will offer a CAMM Recertification course on March 6 at the Hollywood Ruritan.  Participants interested in attending can call the office for further details on how to register.  2024 marks the end of the recertification block for producers holding a Private Pesticide Applicator license.  License holders are required to obtain five recertification credits by December 31, 2024.  A recertification course will be offered on March 6 at the Hollywood Ruritan Building.  Please call the Saluda County Extension office at 864-803-1123 to register.
 

Saluda County 4-H Spring 2024 and Upcoming Events

Lauren Venegas Black

4H Agent for Saluda County

As we enter the New Year, we have been busy with numerous activities, competitions, and events. Our monthly clubs have been meeting and doing multiple activities.

 For the month of January:

  • Our after school Clubs made Valentine’s posters for our Nursing Home patients.
  • Our cooking clubs learned how to make taco bites.
  • Our Sewing Club started working on a reading pillow.
  • Our Livestock Club learned about Horses.

School Enrichment:

  • We are still partnering with Saluda Primary Elementary School to provide art to kindergarten – 5th grade once a month.
  • We partnered with Hollywood Elementary School 4th grade to provide lessons on electricity and circuits through our Snap Circuits.

State Events and Competitions:

  • Congratulations to Sarah Ann Crawford for being selected to compete in the State 4-H Presentation Contest.
  • Congratulations to Makiyah Glymph on being selected as our Junior Poultry Record book Winner. She is now competing in the State Junior Poultry Record Book Contest.
  • Congratulations to Sarah Ann Crawford on being selected as our Junior Wildlife Food Plot Record Book Winner. She is now competing in the State Junior Wildlife Food Plot Record Book Contest.
  • We had several Juniors attend Junior Teen Weekend in February at Camp Long. Sarah Ann Crawford, Myla Long, Corley Jean Herlong, Caroline Berry, and Gillian O’Gorman. Mya Chapman also attended as a leader with the State Teen Council.

Upcoming Events and Projects:

South Carolina 4-H Engineering Challenge Overview
The event will be held at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, SC, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 9 AM to 3:30 PM for youth ages 9-18 *. The SC 4-H Engineering Challenge began in 2012 and has grown annually to approximately 250 youth competitors! Youth who participated in this event reported increased confidence and knowledge in science skills. In addition to STEM-based
challenges for youth competition, there will be an interactive STEAM Expo from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

4-H Poultry Project Offered
             It’s that time of year again to sign up for the 2024 4-H Poultry Project. It may be cool now, but Spring will be here before you know it, and the days will get warmer. With the current price of eggs, there is no better time to teach our youth the fun of raising and showing chickens. For the new or veteran chicken grower, this 4-H project offers youth the opportunity to learn valuable lessons in caring for and maintaining a flock in a fun and engaging atmosphere.
Raising baby chicks from day one to egg-laying age can be a rewarding experience for our 4-H youth across South Carolina. The 4-H Poultry Projects are open to all youth ages five to eighteen. Each county Clemson Extension office and 4-H Program will have registration information. Contact Steve Huck, Region Poultry Project Coordinator (chucks@clemson.edu), or Saluda County 4-H Agent at lblack4@clemson.edu.
             The 4-H Pullet Chain has been one of our most popular projects, and other than feed and shelter, it does not require an abundance of time or expense. Registration is open through March 3, 2024. Youth can order chicks in quantities of twelve ($45) or twenty-five ($85) to raise over the summer. Chicks will arrive in early May. This year’s breeds of chicks are Golden Comet, Rhode Island Red, and Barred Plymouth Rock. Each breed is a reliable layer. We encourage families to research before deciding which breed will be best for their 4-H project and as their backyard flock.
              Successful completion of the Pullet Chain project requires record keeping, showing at least one show, and returning a portion of the birds at the end of the project for auction. If you order 12 birds, you will return three birds to 4-H. If you order 25 birds, you will return five birds to a final 4-H Pullet Chain Auction, typically held after show season. Once the above is complete, the youth’s registration deposit is returned, and the remaining birds are theirs to keep for free. Proceeds from the auction help offset the cost of offering the project and all prizes/awards given throughout the year. Youth will also have opportunities to exhibit their poultry knowledge or showcase their 4-H project experience by participating in various educational opportunities leading up to the final show.
Also offered this year is the 4-H Laying Flock Project. The Laying Flock Project is for the youth who already have chickens at home and are not interested in ordering chicks from 4-H this year or they acquire them on their own by May 1, 2024. Participants have the same opportunities to show as those in the Pullet Chain. Participating in the Laying Flock Project costs $10 for 4-H members, and registration is open through May 1, 2024.
Youth registering for the SC 4-H Poultry Projects must also register and pay for their SC 4-H Membership at www.v2.4honline.com. The membership allows youth to participate in other 4-H projects offered for the year, including clubs, projects, and summer camps. The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, gender identity, marital or family status, and is an equal opportunity employer.
             The 4-H Poultry Project, like our other animal projects, is a rewarding experience for young people. They learn responsibility and a vast array of life skills that will help them grow into versatile, well-rounded adults. 4-H animal projects, such as the 4-H Poultry Project, encourage the process of “discovery” of knowledge and solutions and build competence and confidence.
Youth must complete the poultry registration online to participate in the 4-H poultry projects. Assistance is available through local Clemson Extension Offices or online at https://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/programs/ag-animals/livestock/poultry.html.

South Carolina 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
This event is open to South Carolina 4-H youth (5-18 years old as of January 1, 2024). Current 4-H membership is required for participation in this event. This evaluation contest will be held on Friday, March 22, at the T. Ed Garrison Arena, Pendleton, SC (1101 West Queen Street, Pendleton, SC, 29670). Please review the provided contest information below.
General Information
1. The contest check-in will be at 11:30 am, orientation is at 12:00 noon, and the contest will begin at 12:30 pm.
2. The awards program will be held after the contest.
3. All entries must be completed online by March 8, 2024. No late entries will be accepted. Corrections and substitutions will be accepted on the day of the contest. Refunds are available up to seven days before the event.
4. There will be a $15 registration fee for each individual or $45 per team (minimum of three, maximum of four team members.) Registration must be made online with a credit/debit card.
5. Any additional communication for the event will be made through the email address provided in the registration.
6. This event does not assume custodial care of youth in attendance. Parents, guardians, or chaperones must be present to supervise participants. Coaches will be responsible for providing meals/snacks for their youth.
7. Each contestant must bring two (2) sharpened No. 2 pencils as their writing instrument(s) and a clipboard/blank steno/notepad.
8. Direct questions to Tina Horn (Contest Superintendent) at thorn@clemson.edu and Heather Shultz at hkshult@clemson.edu.

2024 SC 4-H Small Garden Project
The 2024 SC 4-H Small Garden Project is now open for South Carolina youth registration. This project is a hands-on, environmental education program and a competitive, independent-study project that allows youth ages 5 through 18 an opportunity to establish, maintain, and harvest a small garden. The purpose of the Small Garden Project is to educate the youth of South Carolina on where and how their food is grown using hands-on, in-the-garden experiences.

Youth will set goals and plan activities and strategies to achieve those outcomes, even facing challenges. They will reflect on their work by documenting their skill development and learning experiences. They will give back to their communities through educational and service activities. Participating in this project will teach youth valuable record-keeping, financial management, and communication skills. They will ultimately become good stewards of the environment and gain technical expertise that can promote beneficial practices.

The cost is $25 for current 4-H members (non-members will be expected to enroll in 4HOnline for the 2023-2024 club year). If you would like to participate but do not have available land, your local Extension office may be able to help you locate a landowner or public space that could be made available to you.

Once youth register, 4-H will supply participants with a garden starter kit and other educational materials. Participants must plant at least two other crops of their choice. Participants will receive a printed project record book and newsletters/informational resources to help along the way.

Hurry! The deadline to register is Friday, April 5, 2024.

Contact your local Clemson Extension County office or visit the SC 4-H Small Garden Project Website: https://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/program-areas/natural-resources/small-garden-project.html for more information and online registration.

 Contact your 4-H agent for more information! Lblack4@clemson.edu



Upcoming Events in Saluda, SC

Upcoming events sign

 

Saluda County Upcoming Events

   

 

 

 

February 24, 2024  Saluda County Cattlemens 32nd Annual Heifer Sale starts at 12:00, Noon

February 27, 2024 – Saluda 4-H Livestock Club Meeting here at the office at 4:00pm

March 3,2024 – Registration Deadline for the 4-H Pullet Chain Poultry Project

March 5, 2024 – State 4-H Legislative Day , Columbia SC

March 6, 2024  – Saluda County CAMM Training at Hollywood Ruritan for 10am to 12.
March 6, 2024 – Saluda County Private Applicators Recertification for Recert. Credits up to 3 Credits Meeting at 1 to 4pm at Hollywood Ruritan in Saluda, SC

March 8, 2024 –  Deadline to register for the 4H Dairy Judging Contest.

March 22, 2024–  4-H Dairy Judging Competition in Pendleton and Dairy Spring Show. Also, deadline to Register for the 4H Livestock Judging Competition.

April 5, 2024 – Deadline to Register For the 4-H Small Garden Project
April 5, 2024 – 4-H Livestock  Judging Competition in Pendleton

April 19-24 – Nation 4-H Conference in Washington, DC

2023 Livestock and Forages Updates

Travis Mitchell
Livestock and Forages Agent for Newberry & Saluda Counties
Director for The South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association

 

Summer has been a very busy season in Saluda County.  The Saluda County Clemson Extension Livestock & Forages program has assisted many producers with questions concerning hay production, pasture weed control, and fall armyworm control in pastures and hayfields.  Producers were also assisted in commingling tractor-trailer load lots for marketing their calf crop.  These load lots enabled producers to receive value-added premiums for the calves they sold.

The Clemson Extension Livestock & Forages team, in conjunction with the South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association, hosted the South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association regional meetings from August 29th through the 31st.  Over 250 producers from across the state were in attendance during this three-day event.  Dr. Mark Alley with Zoetis gave an outstanding presentation on the importance of vaccines and how they add value to your calf crop.  Dr. Alley then joined Dr. Che Trejo with Merck Animal Health and Mr. Randy Fordham with Boehringer-Ingelheim for a panel discussion about the importance of vaccines.  These three gentlemen answered the producer’s questions and provided further insight on overall herd health.

The Saluda County 4-H Livestock shows were held September 20th and 21st at the Central Milk Producers Show & Sale Arena.  Many 4-H youths from across the state exhibited their prize animals.  Seeing so many young people enthusiastically involved in agriculture is always a great time.

 

Saluda County 4-H Summer 2023

Lauren Black Venegas

4-H Youth Development Agent 

Saluda County

Recap of Spring and Summer 2022 and 2023

As we end summer and fall begins, Saluda 4-H is in full swing. We wrapped up the Spring with several camps during Spring Break and one of our 4-Hers, Mya Chapman, attending the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. We also had a great group of Juniors attend Junior Teen Weekend at Camp Long in April.

As summer began, we offered several camp opportunities starting in June and going through July. We partnered with the Saluda School District to provide 4-H classes during the Summer Reading Program for June. We highlighted the different program areas of 4-H during those four weeks. Some of the student’s favorites were paper rockets, homemade bread, penny boats, hay lesson, and so much more.  Some of the camps that we offered this summer were:

All things Nature. We had a morning and afternoon group. We learned about pollinators, ecosystems, and soil layers during this camp. We planted two pollinator gardens in front of the Extension office. They planted their own garden seeds and made their own mini ecosystem through things that are outside.

Sewing Camp was a three-day camp that had a beginner group in the morning and an older group in the afternoon. The morning group made snake pillows with cat faces while learning how to hand sew, sew on a button, and sew with a machine. The afternoon group made lounging pants. They also learned about hand sewing and sewing on a machine.

Baking Camp was a two-day camp that had a morning and afternoon group. On the first day, they learned about the different baking equipment and how to measure ingredients correctly, and we made homemade cupcakes, icing, and pretzels. On the second day, we learned about all things pie. They made their own homemade pie crust and then used it to make pop tarts and mini apple pies.

At the beginning of July, we started with the State 4-H Congress. Mya Chapman was awarded the highest honor in 4-H during the banquet, the Presidential Tray.

We then picked back up with camps to finish off the summer. Those camps were:

Kids in the Kitchen is a two-day camp with a morning and afternoon group and a third group on different days for the two-day camp in the morning. They learned the proper way to measure, and each youth made their own scrambled eggs. We also made breakfast and dinner entrees.

Robotic Camp was a one-day camp with a morning and afternoon group. They learned about coding electric circuits and built their own robot.

We ended the summer camps with an Arts and Craft camp. It was a one-day camp with a morning and afternoon group. They learned about using different techniques to paint. We used tin foil, bubble wrap, and forks.

This summer was jam-packed and fun. We took some time in August to get caught up and plan the new 4-H year. As fall starts, we have a lot planned for the upcoming 4-H year. We celebrated the past year’s accomplishments in September with a drop-in awards ceremony followed by the after-school clubs. We had five youths turn in their record books and enter the tomato contest from the tomato project. We had one teen sign up to be an ambassador with the State 4-H program.

2023 Tomato Project WinnersThis semester, we partner with Saluda Primary and Elementary to provide art to Kindergarten through Fifth-grade students. We go each month for one day per grade. It has been a rewarding experience to see what the students can do.

Just before the first day of fall, we hosted the 2023 Saluda Livestock Show. We had a show for beef cattle, goats, poultry, rabbits, and dairy heifers. We had an excellent turnout for all the shows.

We look forward to more in the months, weeks, and days ahead to improve the best.

Contact your 4-H agent for more information! Lblack4@clemson.edu

Lauren Black Venegas – 4H Upcoming Events

Lauren Venegas Black

4H Agent for Saluda County

🗣Have you heard?! Registration for the Regional Video Presentation Contests have been extended to March 6th!

The purpose of the 4-H Presentations Contest is to allow participants to practice and perfect their presentation skills and receive valuable feedback on those skills. All junior and senior members (ages 9-19) are to participate.  🍀

Contact your 4-H agent for more information! #PresentLikeAPro #SC4H

The price of eggs is up and it is the perfect time to expand your flock. Registration is now open for the 2023 4-H Poultry Projects. Youth ages 5-18 from across the state are welcome to participate. Read all about this years opportunities and learn how to register here: https://sites.google.com/g.clemson.edu/sc4hpoultry2023/home

Congratulations Mya! She was Crowned S.C. Miss 4-H Queen !

2023 Livestock Updates


Travis Mitchell
Livestock and Forages Agent for Newberry & Saluda Counties
Director for The South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association

The spring season is in full swing across the Carolina’s. It is a joy and relief to see pastures greening up and cattle grazing. Spring always brings optimism which was evident in the “beef cattle market outlook” presentation Dr. Andrew Griffith gave at the South Carolina Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting. Cattle producers from across the state met at the T. Ed Garrison Cattle Complex on February 3rd for this event. Dr. Griffith, an Extension Livestock Economist with the University of Tennessee, presented to the group a favorable market outlook report indicating higher cattle prices for the next two years. Producers also enjoyed a presentation from State veterinarian Dr. Michael Neault. Dr. Neault presented on the Asia Longhorn Tick, educating producers regarding control measures and identification strategies. The meeting concluded with a joint awards banquet with the Clemson Bull Test.

Be on the lookout in next month’s issue of the Carolina Cattle Connection for photos and awards of excellence winners. I want to thank each of our Prime, Choice, and Select members for putting on an outstanding trade show and for their financial support in making the 2023 Annual Meeting a huge success.

What’s Going On In Saluda County, S.C.

Upcoming events sign

Saluda County Upcoming Events

   

February 24, 2024  Saluda County Cattlemens 32nd Annual Heifer Sale starts at 12:00, Noon

February 27, 2024 – Saluda 4-H Livestock Club Meeting here at the office at 4:00pm

March 3,2024 – Registration Deadline for the 4-H Pullet Chain Poultry Project

March 5, 2024 – State 4-H Legislative Day , Columbia SC

March 6, 2024  – Saluda County CAMM Training at Hollywood Ruritan for 10am to 12.
March 6, 2024 – Saluda County Private Applicators Recertification for Recert. Credits up to 3 Credits Meeting at 1 to 4pm at Hollywood Ruritan in Saluda, SC

March 8, 2024 –  Deadline to register for the 4H Dairy Judging Contest.

March 22, 2024–  4-H Dairy Judging Competition in Pendleton and Dairy Spring Show. Also, deadline to Register for the 4H Livestock Judging Competition.

April 5, 2024 – Deadline to Register For the 4-H Small Garden Project
April 5, 2024 – 4-H Livestock  Judging Competition in Pendleton

April 19-24 – Nation 4-H Conference in Washington, DC

Lauren Black Venegas – 4-H Spring and Summer Recap 2022 and Upcoming Events

Saluda County 4-H is celebrating the past year while looking forward to the New Year in 4-H. This past 4-H year had several great summer workshops, state winners in different program areas, and multiple youth learning new things.

Here is a recap of this summer workshops:

All things Nature camp-we planted a pollinator garden box outside our front office.

Summer Recovery Camp with Saluda School District-we learned how things grow, how things are made and where they come from, Holidays around the world, and Lunch Box fun.

Canning Camp-We learned about canning tomatoes and recipes that use tomatoes.

Cooking Like a Chef Camp-a 2-day camp where they made healthy recipes while learning knife skills and other cooking skills.

Art and Craft Camp-we learned about weaving and made our own tapestry.

STEM Camp-We went on an adventure with Journey to Mars, making scooter bots, learned about coding, and designed their own toothpick bridge.

Kids in the Kitchen Camp-We made different easy recipes that would create a great dinner or meal for the family.

Sewing Camp-Youth made their own pajama pants.

Livestock Camp-We had seven different livestock species there, the youth rotated to each animal to learn about taking care of the animal and how to show the animal.

At State 4-H Congress, Mya Chapman, was recognize as a State Portfolio Winner and won National 4-H Conference Trip and Scholarship.

We also have State Winners in the following areas:

Jonathon Chapman-State Junior Winner in Garden.

Tori Templeton-State Cloverbud Winner in Beef.

Tabitha Swygert-State Senior Winner in Swine.

Avery Quattlebaum-State Senior Winner in Healthy Lifestyles.

Thomas Corley-State Divisional HOA Winner-R in 4-H Shotgun Program.

This past school year Saluda 4-H partners with Saluda District Water and Soil Conservation to help youth learn about growing tomatoes. We passed out about 75 tomato plants to youth that participate in 4-H after school program. We had 5 youth complete the program completely with completing a record book, entering the tomato contest, and submitting demonstrations and presentations about their tomatoes.

We are excited to have this year’s State Bee Project winners in Saluda County.

Senior Division winner was Mya Chapman and Junior Division winner is Jonathon Chapman.

We are looking forward to a great New 4-H year! Starting in September we will have our after school clubs starting.

Hollywood Elementary has 2 clubs Little Leaf and Lucky Leaf.

Saluda Primary-Elementary has 2 clubs-Saluda Mini Clovers and Saluda Clovers NEW!

Saluda Middle School has 1 club-Saluda Cloverleaf!

In October we will be starting our specialty clubs:

Cooking Clubs-2 Saluda Mini Cooking and Saluda Cooking Chef Club NEW!

Livestock Club NEW!

Sewing Club!

Shotgun Club-Richland Creek Top Guns 4-H Club

If you have any questions, please let Lauren Black Venegas know at lblack4@clemson.edu.We will also be offering All Things Workshop series. Registration for these workshops will come out at soon. Our first is September 30th, All Things Fall Workshop.

Tractors and Implements for Forest Landowners – Part 3: Implements and Attachments for Property Maintenance

Our Tractors and Implements for Forest Landowners series’s first and second articles covered tractor selection and ground contact implements (see links at the end). This third part will cover implements and attachments for property maintenance that the forest landowner should consider adding to their arsenal.

 

Adjustable scrape blade. Photo credit: Stephen Pohlman, Clemson University.

 

The first implements to discuss are box blades and scrape blades. The same principle applies to these, as did our ground contact implement article. You will want to pay attention to steel thickness and construction, added gussets and bracing, and proper width based on the size of the tractor. Typically, you will want your box and scrape blades to be at least as wide as your rear tires, just to leave a nice finished look behind you instead of tire tracks.

Box blades and scrape blades are often used for the same jobs; however, each has its intended purpose. A box blade is intended to keep things smooth/level. A scrape blade is intended to shape the ground. For example, if you plan to pull a ditch or crown a road, the scrape blade is a much better option. If you already have a surface that you are trying to maintain as smooth and level, then a box blade will be easier. Granted, you can do the same thing with a scrape blade. However, the scrape blade will roll material out one end, or both, during the process. In contrast, a box blade will store the excess material inside the boxed area to later be used for depositing in other holes/depressions. Scrape blades can come in adjustable models that make it easy for the operator to change the angle and pitch of the blade without having to change the tractor’s 3-pt hitch angles. Also, these adjustable models can be manual as well as hydraulic; however, the hydraulic versions will need to utilize the tractor’s rear hydraulic accessory block (‘remotes’ as some call them).

 

Box blade. Photo credit: Stephen Pohlman, Clemson University.

Box blades and scrape blades are also great prescribed fire management equipment, provided you already have pre-existing fire breaks. Dragging a box blade or scrape blade on these maintained fire breaks will keep you from fracturing the soil surface with a plow. This allows you to keep a hard soil surface that prevents soil erosion and gives you the bare mineral soil that you need to avoid fire from walking across your fire break. The one flaw with this is that leaf/needle litter will quickly fill a box blade and a scrape blade, causing it to ‘jump’ over a rolled-up pile of this material. Thus, the build-up of leaf/needle litter will at some point need to be pushed off to the side out of the fire break while dragging the fire break clean.

Another tool for our tractor is the front end loader. Most tractors in the 20-40hp class seem to come with loaders, but this is not always the case. A front end loader is often included as dealers add them due to customer demand. A front end loader can be a valuable tool if you need to lift things, like implements on and off trailers or lime/fertilizer for food plots, just to name a few. A front end loader can also help walk a stuck tractor out as well, though painstakingly slow. Do keep in mind that many of today’s front end loaders can take advantage of different front end attachments once you take the bucket off. Attachments such as grapple buckets, loader forks, rock buckets, 3-n-1 buckets, post hole diggers, etc., are most common for forest landowners. Some brands utilize the skid steer style attachment method, while others use their own proprietary system. Those with proprietary systems typically have a conversion kit or adaptor if the owner would rather have the skid steer style instead.

 

Grapple bucket. Photo credit: Stephen Pohlman, Clemson University.

One of the front end loader attachments mentioned above, grapple buckets, makes my life much easier as a forest landowner. Coming from someone who has bent their fair share of grapple buckets, know that they make different ones: standard duty, medium duty, heavy duty, and extreme duty. Each one has thicker and more metal, shields, braces, etc. One major factor to consider when buying a grapple bucket is weight. Make sure that your loader capacity meets not only the weight of the grapple but also the weight of the material you’ll be lifting. There are two kinds of grapple buckets, a brush grapple and a root grapple. By design, one is more clam-shaped, and the other is better at acting like loader forks for picking up and stacking things. Also, grapple buckets tend to have either one big grappling device or two separate clamping devices. The advantage of the two clamping devices is you will get a better bite/grasp on whatever you are trying to hold. Lastly, do know that your tractor will need to have a third function valve added for the front end loader to have the ability to open/close the grapple.

The next article in this series will be about vegetation management. We will get into things like sprayers, rotary cutters, and tree cutters in that article.

In case you missed them, here are the prior articles in this series:
Tractors and Implements for Forest Landowners- Part 1: Tractors- https://blogs.clemson.edu/fnr/2021/10/21/tractors-for-forest-landowners/

Tractors and Implements for Forest Landowners – Part 2: Ground Contact Implements- https://blogs.clemson.edu/fnr/2021/12/13/tractors-and-implements-for-forest-landowners-part-2-ground-contact-implements/

Author(s)

Stephen Pohlman, Cooperative Extension, Forestry and Wildlife Agent

This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. 

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.