Leadership team chosen at Clemson University Livestock-Poultry Health

Published: June 4, 2012

COLUMBIA — The state veterinarian has announced a new leadership team for Clemson University Livestock-Poultry Health, which oversees animal health and the quality of meat and poultry products produced in South Carolina. These services support South Carolina’s $34 billion agribusiness industry.

Veterinarian Clyde Hoskins now is director of S.C. Meat and Poultry Inspection, veterinarian Adam Eichelberger is serving as interim director of Animal Health Programs and veterinarian Tim Cushing is serving as interim director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Center, according to Boyd Parr, state veterinarian and director of Clemson University Livestock-Poultry Health (LPH).

“I am confident that the experience and expertise these individuals bring to our leadership team will enhance the effectiveness of LPH as we continue to serve animal agriculture in South Carolina," said Parr, who became Livestock-Poultry Health director in February after serving as interim director since 2009.

Hoskins directs the S.C. Meat and Poultry Inspection department, which protects S.C. consumers by providing a comprehensive inspection service to ensure that meat and poultry products are safe and accurately labeled. There are 93 facilities in South Carolina under state inspection for meat products from cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, quail and poultry.

Hoskins' professional interests include food safety, meat inspection and safe-handling practices, particularly Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points. He joined S.C. Meat Inspection in 2005 and served as its interim director from 2009 until 2011. Prior to joining Clemson, he served in the U.S. Army, working in veterinary services and food safety. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned his veterinary degree from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Hoskins is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.

Eichelberger will direct Animal Health Programs that coordinate efforts to protect the health of food animals and other livestock. Protecting the health of S.C. livestock not only aids farmers in maintaining profitability in their operations but also helps ensure continued access to both domestic and international markets for S.C. livestock producers. 

Animal Health Programs duties include regulating the testing and movement of livestock and poultry, auction markets, sales and all animal disease control programs in the state; serving as Extension veterinarians; coordinating statewide emergency response for livestock and poultry during natural or manmade disasters for the S.C. Emergency Management Division; and administering the SC Ag-Watch program, which promotes animal disease prevention practices by livestock and poultry producers.

Eichelberger’s professional interests include livestock reproduction, large animal emergency rescue, horse health and the 4-H Dairy Heifer Project. Before joining Livestock-Poultry Health in 2010 he was in private veterinary practice in Aiken. Eichelberger grew up in Ninety Six and is a Clemson graduate. He earned his veterinary degree from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and completed a residency at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in theriogenology (animal reproduction and obstetrics). Eichelberger is board certified by the American College of Theriogenology.

Cushing will direct the Veterinary Diagnostic Center, which assists veterinarians, the animal industry and animal owners by diagnosing diseases affecting livestock, poultry, companion animals and wildlife. The center is an integral part of a disease-surveillance system that helps ensure a safe and adequate food supply and protects the health of South Carolinians. The diagnostic center is accredited for all species of animals by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and is a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.

Cushing’s professional interests focus on livestock diagnostic pathology. Before joining the agency in the fall of 2010, he completed his residency in anatomic pathology at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and completed training at the National Animal Disease Center on Plum Island, N.Y. Cushing, a native of Nova Scotia, is a graduate of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and received his veterinary degree from the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Cushing is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in anatomic pathology.

Clemson Livestock-Poultry Health’s mission is to protect animal health by controlling endemic, foreign and emerging diseases in livestock and poultry, protecting the health of S.C. consumers by providing a comprehensive inspection service to ensure that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome and accurately labeled.

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