DATE: 9/20/06

CONTACT: R.D. Morrison, 864-868-4517; rdm95573@bellsouth.net

Harold Hupp, 864-656-5161; hhupp@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, 864-656-4741; spalmer@clemson.edu

First annual S.C. Cattle Expo to be held at Garrison Arena

CLEMSON – Got Cows? Anyone who enjoys a good steak and would like to see the effort that goes into providing it, is invited to the first annual S.C. Cattle Expo at Clemson University’s T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena Oct. 6-7.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. each day. Admission is $5 per person. Children 12 years and younger will be admitted free.

Harold Hupp, Clemson Extension animal scientist, has scheduled two days of seminars explaining best management practices for beef and dairy producers. Also planned are live animal demonstrations that will include the use of E-ID for record keeping and ultrasound on cattle for determining meat quality.

Cattle handling equipment; tractors and balers; fences and feeds; and many other items will be on display from vendors. Experts will be on hand to answer product questions.

Gift cards from Lowe’s, Home Depot and Tractor Supply Company will be given away as door prizes.

“We want to bring world class seminars to the beef and dairy producers,” said R.D. Morrison, coordinator of the event. “We also want to boost the Pickens County Cattlemen’s Association’s Disaster Fund. Last year, we had to scramble to raise money to send to the National Cattlemen’s Foundation to help cattlemen affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.”

The association also donated money to help two of its members that suffered damages and lost cows due to a tornado. The generosity didn’t stop there. They also sent 600 to 700 bales of hay to the hurricane-affected region.

“We also want to highlight the agricultural industry in the state,” said Morrison. “Agriculture is the second largest industry – second to tourism. Cattle make up about $896 million of the total.”

Clemson Extension and the Pickens County Cattlemen’s Association will host the event.

For more information, contact the Clemson Extension office in Pickens at 864-878-1304, ext. 114 or e-mail Morrison at rdm95573@bellsouth.net.

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