Bryan Smith
Area Extension Agent – Agricultural Engineer
Laurens
There are many new farmers that contact Clemson Extension each year, asking how to get started in livestock farming. Many of these people have little to no previous experience with growing livestock. Extension agents are always glad to help them get started, but the Livestock and Forages team recognized that an online, on-demand course may be a good first step to help new farmers learn the in’s-and-out’s of growing livestock and give them a very basic baseline knowledge.
Livestock and Forage Foundations is an asynchronous course designed for beginning farmers that want to learn basic livestock and forage concepts. This course includes video lessons and on-farm fieldwork which allow course participants the opportunity to learn about concepts such as soil health and fertility, animal production and management, forage production and management, farm infrastructure and farm business while showing how Clemson Extension can support their farming journey. Course topics include:
- Soil Basics (Module 1): Sampling your soil
- Soil Fertility and Health (Module 2): Tighty-Whities Test
- Forage Basics (Module 3): Submit a forage sample
- Grazing Practices (Module 4): Develop a grazing plan
- Livestock Selection (Module 5): 10 questions to ask when starting a livestock operation
- Livestock Handling and Management (Module 6): Develop a record-keeping system
- Backyard Poultry Handling And Management (Module 7)
- Fencing (Module 8): Know your farm layout
- Equipment and Tools (Module 9): Maintenance and Calibration
- Farm Safety (Module 10): Creating a farm safety and emergency plan
- NRCS Programs (Module 11)
- Agribusiness and Marketing (Module 12): Starting your Ag business
More information and a registration link may be found at https://cpe.clemson.edu/browse/extension/livestockandforages/courses/livestock-and-forage-foundations .
