DATE: 5/10/2005

CONTACT: Dr. Todd Davis, (864) 656-5777

WRITER: Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343, ext. 241

Pee Dee REC to host risk management workshop for beef cattle producers

CLEMSON – Beef cattle producers interested in fine tuning their marketing skills will find help at a risk management workshop June 30-July 1 at Clemson University’s Pee Dee Research and Education Center near Florence.

“This is one of two workshops being conducted this summer through a cooperative effort of Extension economists from four universities -- Clemson, Auburn, Georgia and Florida,” said Todd Davis, Clemson Extension agricultural economist.

The other will be July 27-28 at the University of Georgia’s Tifton Conference Center in Tifton, Ga.

“Producers will learn about cattle cycles, anticipating prices by the time of the year, how to use futures and options and how to determine what price they need to make a profit,” said Davis.

Experts will guide participants through an evaluation of live animals, explaining just what cattle buyers are looking for. Producers will also learn about alternative marketing methods such as video board sales, tele-auctions and group marketing of cattle.

The registration fee is $35, which includes materials, meals, breaks and refreshments. To register for the Florence school, contact Jesse Adams at (843) 661-4800. Participants may also register through the Tifton conference office at (229) 386-3446 or go online at http://ugatiftonconference.org.

“We are asking for pre-registration to allow for planning of meals and snacks,” said Davis. The workshop is open to cattlemen from outside South Carolina as well.

To reach the Pee Dee REC take the TV Road exit off of Interstate 95, turn left and proceed to Pocket Road. Turn left. The center will be on the right about a mile from the turn.

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