Research Focus & Programming

Study designed to identify the influence of Penergetic deer repellent application timing on boll lock in cotton. Research conducted at Sandhill REC and Edisto REC, with multiple replications for several commonly grown cotton varieties.

Research funded by BH Genetics

Cooperating scientists:

Cory Heaton
Extension Wildlife Specialist

Michael Plumblee
Extension Corn and Soybean Specialist
Assistant Professor of Agronomy

Field studies conducted throughout major peanut producing regions of South Carolina. Deer population surveys conducted to assess deer densities in rural farming areas.  Exclusion cages used to prevent deer damage to crop, while allowing all other aspects of the grow out to remain the same.  Analysis of yield between excluded and accessible areas of the field to determine yield impact from deer feeding.  Research conducted at Sandhill REC, Edisto REC, Pee Dee REC, and on private farms in Orangeburg, Bamberg, Barnwell, Allendale, Colleton, Florence, and Dillon counties.

Research funded by the SC Peanut Board

Cooperating scientists:

Cory Heaton
Extension Wildlife Specialist

Kendall Kirk
Precision Agriculture Engineer
Director, CU-CAT

Perry Loftis
Ph.D. student

Field studies to compare effectiveness of commercially available deer repellents in cotton. Field studies consist of small plot trials to offer side-by-side comparison of repellents, and whole field studies to evaluate individual repellents.  Research conducted with cooperating farmers on private lands in Bamberg, Barnwell, Chesterfield, Colleton, Newberry and York counties.  Additional studies in Edisto REC greenhouses to identify tank mix compatibility and crop safeness of common cotton herbicides applied with repellents. 

Research funded by the SC Cotton Board

Cooperating scientists:

Cory Heaton
Extension Wildlife Specialist

Mike Marshall
Assistant Professor
Agronomic & Forage Weed Science

Perry Loftis
Ph.D. student

Field studies conducted throughout major soybean-producing regions of South Carolina. Deer population surveys conducted to assess deer densities in rural farming areas.  Exclusion cages used to prevent deer damage to crop, while allowing all other aspects of the grow out to remain the same.  Analysis of yield between excluded and accessible areas of the field to determine yield impact from deer feeding.  Research conducted at Sandhill REC, Edisto REC, Pee Dee REC, Piedmont REC, and on private farms in Anderson, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Chesterfield, Colleton, Dillon, and Florence counties.

Research funded by the SC Soybean Board

Cooperating scientists

Cory Heaton
Extension Wildlife Specialist

Kendall Kirk
Precision Agriculture Engineer
Director, CU-CAT

Perry Loftis
Ph.D. student

Field studies to investigate application rates and timing on the effectiveness of power pellets for control of non-native invasive Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana). Replicated studies conducted at Sandhill REC.

Research funded by Pro-Serve Inc.

Cooperating scientists:

Cory Heaton
Extension Wildlife Specialist

Mike Marshall
Assistant Professor
Agronomic & Forage Weed Science