Clemson Field Day Brings Crop, Livestock Information to Upstate Farmers

For South Carolina farmers, a new semester’s education starts even before classes begin.

Clemson University’s annual Livestock, Forage and Crops Field Day at the Simpson Experiment Station on Saturday, Aug. 23, will provide visitors an update on issues affecting agriculture in the Palmetto State as well as a firsthand look at Clemson research and Extension programs.

“We try to cover the breadth of work Clemson is doing at the Simpson Station and at the university to support the state’s agriculture industry,” said Matt Burns, an Extension beef specialist and among the organizers of the event.

“We’ll have information on a wide variety of crops and the weeds, insects and diseases that affect them, as well as beef, horses, small ruminants and the pastures that sustain them,” Burns said. “It’s a great opportunity for producers to meet and talk with the Clemson specialists and agents who are working on issues that specifically affect their businesses.”

Starting with an 8:30 a.m. registration, the free event begins at the Simpson Experiment Station at 2013 Lebanon Road near Pendleton and includes visits to nearby fields, pastures and research facilities.

Separate tracks allow farmers to get in-depth information on one of four areas: livestock, crops, apiculture or youth programs.

Livestock producers can choose from sessions on beef, horses or sheep and goats; a joint livestock session covers forage production, fencing and new technology in the livestock industry.

Crop producers will hear from specialists on weeds, plant diseases and insects, including an update on the kudzu bug that has swept across South Carolina soybean fields. Additional programs are tailored specifically for beekeepers and for 4-H and FFA youth projects.

Following lunch, joint programs include equipment demonstrations and farm pond management instruction until the event wraps up at 2:30 p.m.

“It’s a lot to pack into a single day, but there’s plenty of work to cover,” Burns said. “We tried to make it easy for a producer to get exactly the information he needs directly from the people who are working on it.”

A schedule of events and and registration for the free event are available online at www.clemson.edu/extension/livestock/beef.