ag-formation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2002

South Carolina livestock industry threatened by drought

CLEMSON—Time and water are running out for South Carolina cattlemen. With no relief in sight, the drought puts the state’s livestock industry at significant risk, according to Clemson University experts.

"We are hearing that some farmers are selling off their herds because they don’t have enough water for their stock," said Terry Sudduth of the Clemson animal and veterinary sciences department. "If we don’t get significant rainfalls soon, the industry faces real trouble."

Streams and wells are going dry in several counties. Forced livestock sales are contributing to lower prices that farmers are receiving for their cattle.

"Pastures and hay are concerns, too," said Sudduth. "Most pastures throughout the Southeast are dormant, but many cattlemen and small-animal owners are now feeding hay to sustain their herds. Supplies of hay are expected to be quite limited as we enter the winter months."

The South Carolina Market Bulletin and County Extension Offices are valuable sources of information for assisting livestock producers in locating hay for sale. Becky Walton with the SC Department of Agriculture encourages producers looking for hay to check the Market Bulletin out online at http://www.scda.state.sc.us or call 803-734-2210 for the latest listing of hay for sale.

Additional hay and feed web sites can be obtained from http://www.clemson.edu/extension/drought/hay.htm.

According to Sudduth, there are also additional sources of feed that should be considered by producers. For more information about feed alternatives, contact Sudduth, local extension offices or the animal and veterinary sciences department at Clemson.

Drought information can be found on Clemson University’s web site at http://www.clemson.edu/extension/drought/index.htm.

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