Wateree River Farms will host a Clemson Extension Service Beef, Dairy and Forage Field Day June 9.

“Producers who are interested in beef and dairy cattle management or forage production are invited, but they must register to attend,” said Howard van Dijk, Clemson Extension agent in Sumter County .

Call the Sumter County Extension office at 803-773-5561 by May 31 to register and receive directions to Wateree Farms.

The program, organized by the Clemson Extension Service and Wateree Farms, is hosted by the Central Cattlemen’s Association and the Kershaw Cattlemen’s Association. The program starts at 8:15 a.m. and ends around 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be served.

John Andrae, Clemson University forage specialist, will conduct a pasture walking tour and talk about new forage varieties for cattle production. Greg Harvey, Extension agent in Sumter County, will speak on weed identification and control.

Bobby Summerset of Wateree Farms will speak on cattle management, and his colleague, Ray Watford, will demonstrate the use of artificial insemination techniques in managing the breeding herd. Steve Meadows, animal scientist and director at Clemson’s Edisto Research and Education Center, will speak on matching forages with cattle production.

“We will also have a demonstration on cattle identification and the use of electronic ear tags,” said van Dijk. Cattle industry representatives will conduct demonstrations and set up displays of interest to cattle and forage producers.

Since Wateree Farms is a facility of the South Carolina prison system, program participants must be pre-registered and arrive on time for the tours. No one will be allowed to bring a weapon onto the facility. You must have a picture ID in your possession at all times, stay with groups and avoid contact with inmates. Cameras will be allowed with restrictions.

To prevent contamination while attending the field day, participants should not wear clothing and shoes that have been worn on their farms while working with animals.