PENDLETON — The future of your food is growing just a few miles away. You’re invited to see it Thursday, Sept. 19.
Clemson University’s Simpson Beef Cattle Farm will hold an Agronomy and Beef Cattle Field Day beginning at 4 p.m. with tours and updates on crop and livestock research that ranges from high-tech breakthroughs to everyday issues.
The crop tour begins with a look at Clemson’s Advanced Plant Technology Program’s progress in genetics as well as the breeding of old-fashioned plants, such as sorghum, maize and hemp.
More common crops like corn, soybeans and peanuts follow with variety updates, planting information and tips on water efficiency.
The livestock tour will brief visitors on a variety of forages, their yields and effects on growth of sheep and beef cattle. Animal scientists will discuss ways to mitigate the risk of toxic effects from tall fescue and to increase muscle mass in market lambs.
The formal program will wrap up at 6 p.m. with a sponsored barbecue supper and a question-and-answer session. Afterward, visitors make take optional tours of the Clemson Bull Test facilities or the cropland at Clemson bottoms.
The event is free and open to the public. The Simpson REC is located at 2103 Lebanon Road in Pendleton.
