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Field Day at Eddie Gordon's Farm
| Name | Lee Van Vlake | | Situation | The Pee Dee Region has seen a significant increase in Beef Cattle production. Due to this significant increase in beef cattle production, farmers are looking for cutting edge research-based information on proper management, forages, and animal health. Also due to the rapid increase in operating cost, producers are looking for alternative means for quality nutrition while trying to cut operating expense. One major operating cost beef cattle producer's face is hay production. Extension's role in this growing demand will be to offer research-based programs and information to producers who wish to expand their knowledge base of beef cattle production. | | Response | The Extension agent coordinated a Field Day at Eddie Gordon's Farm on December 2, 2006 in Blenhiem SC. The program was co-sponsored by the Pee Dee Cattlemen's Association and the Sandhills Livestock Association. The main focus of interest was cutting the forage/hay expenses. Dr. John Andrae (Clemson University Forage Specialist) spoke about producing Fescue in the Pee Dee Region. Fescue is very new to the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina. Dr. Andrae stressed the importance of soil type and environment that fescue needs to survive in the Pee Dee Region. Dr. Andrae also talked about the need for cutting hay cost and for producers
that have the situation to grow fescue could extend their grazing season and feed less hay. Dr. Andrae expressed to producers that with the right situation, some producers could extend their grazing out for nearly a year with the right combination of warm-season forages and fescue. Other speakers included Stephanie Cannon (Phizer Animal Health), Eddie Gordon (Stocker Cattle Producer), Jerry Strickland (Strickland Farms), Dr. Harold Hupp (Clemson University Beef Specialist), and Lee Van Vlake (Clemson University Area Livestock Agent). Stephanie Cannon spoke about Beef Cattle Herd Health. Eddie Gordon spoke about building relationships with feed lots. Jerry Strickland spoke about Coastal Bermuda Grass.
Dr. Hupp and Lee Van Vlake spoke about Beef Cattle Management Practices and Feed Lot tour in Kansas. After the presentations, we toured Eddie Gordon's farm where an on-farm demonstration of proper vaccination protocols were conducted. Also the farmers got a chance to see some of Mr. Gordon's fescue and how he managed it. | | Impact | Fifty-seven people were in attendance for the Field Day at Eddie Gordon's. Due to personal consultation, everyone expressed knowledge gained. At least 70 percent of the attendees found the program useful and would implement practices learned back on their farm. Producers in attendance expressed the importance of lowering operating cost associated with forage/hay production. Everyone expressed the importance of considering using fescue if the situation is right as a means of cutting
hay production costs. The producers expressed their appreciation of the on-farm demonstration of vaccination protocols and the tour of Mr. Gordon's fescue. Overall, farmers gained knowledge of alternative forages, herd health, and basic management practices. |
Last update5/23/2008
This website is maintained by Tomika Orgbon.
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