South Carolina Department of Agriculture MARKET BULLETIN Vol. 95 • Num. 6 March 18, 2021 Est. 1913 SC SOYBEAN BOARD FUNDS COMMISSIONER’S $100K IN LOCAL RESEARCH CORNER DEER DAMAGE, SOIL MOISTURE SENSORS AMONG PROJECTS HUGH E. WEATHERS BY EVA MOORE SOUTH CAROLINA The South Carolina Soybean Board will fund effect of this predilection in South Carolina is COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE research to quantify deer damage to crops, unknown. Dr. Cory Heaton, an Extension wildlife calculate the fertilizing power of poultry manure, specialist, will conduct night surveys to assess deer and more efficiently irrigate plants, among other populations near targeted farms, and study crop projects. damage by creating “exclusion cages” to compare VACCINE TIME he Palmetto State you can skip the masks. has expanded Now that will feel more Teligibility for normal. the COVID-19 vaccine, To make an appointment, and it’s good news for you can contact your agriculture. health care or pharmacy The South Carolina provider. SCDHEC Department of Health also maintains an online and Environmental service, scdhec.gov/ Control announced vaxlocator, and a hotline, last week that the state 1-866-365-8110. would move to Phase 1b Our agency is also in of vaccine availability on communication with March 8. This new phase state authorities, health includes anyone over care providers, and the age of 55 as well as agricultural businesses “frontline workers with about setting up some increased occupational on-site vaccination clinics risk” and “individuals at at workplaces during this increased risk in settings phase. where people are living and working in close As for me, I am eligible contact.” This expansion in Phase 1b, got my first adds over 2.5 million shot, and it went fine. A South Carolinians to the little arm soreness as I The board uses South Carolina soybean with unprotected areas of fields. This research can eligible list, and covers have heard with others. checkoff dollars – money collected from farmers help wildlife authorities set tag limits and other many people in the food The staff at Nephron for promotion, research and education – to hunting guidelines. and agriculture sectors. Pharmaceuticals was very competitively award funding to projects that can professional and they are Dr. Michael Plumblee, the Corn & Soybean SCDHEC’s criteria for help the state’s soybean industry. working with some of our Research Specialist for Clemson Extension, and Dr. Phase 1b can be found major ag businesses in the “A lot of trials are focused on larger soybean- Matt Inman will study how South Carolina soybean at scdhec.gov/covid19/ Columbia area. producing states, so being able to fund South farmers can best use affordable soil moisture covid-19-vaccine. I’d Carolina-specific research can benefit growers here sensors in deciding when to irrigate their crops. recommend everyone I’ll get my second shot at home,” said South Carolina Soybean Board chair This research can help farmers conserve water in the agriculture the first week of April. Dean Hutto. “This is a vital use of soybean checkoff resources while maximizing soybean yields. community take a look According to the CDC, dollars collected in South Carolina.” to see if they or their the vaccine I got is 95% “Farmers base a lot of irrigation decisions off employees are eligible. effective at preventing Among the 12 research projects funded this year: weather data, but depending on where you’re COVID-19 illness. getting your data, the station may be a few miles If you’re eligible in phase Clemson University I’d like to thank South off. Here, we can evaluate what the soil moisture 1b, I encourage you to researcher Dr. Bhupinder Carolina’s agribusiness content is in the ground to decide when to make an appointment Farmaha will assess the workforce for helping irrigate,” said Plumblee. to be vaccinated. By fertilizer value of poultry getting vaccinated, you sustain us through the litter – a mixture of poultry Soybeans are one of South Carolina’s top crops, not only protect yourself past year. In all my years manure and bedding, with about 335,000 acres planted last year. against COVID-19, but of public service, I’ve abundant in South Carolina South Carolina soybeans are used to create oil, your family, community never seen anything due to our strong poultry animal feed and many other products, and are an and coworkers as well. like this pandemic. Now industry – for growing important export for the state. Agribusiness is an there’s light at the end soybeans. Researchers will of the tunnel, but it’s not The South Carolina Soybean Board (SCSB) is a essential industry, not to test samples of poultry litter time to relax just yet. Let’s group of 12 soybean farmers from South Carolina mention South Carolina’s to help farmers determine all get vaccinated, and who are responsible for administering the soybean largest industry, and we how and when to substitute keep taking precautions in checkoff in the state. Elected by producers in each can play an important it for other fertilizer for the meantime. district, SCSB directors serve up to three-year role in putting an end to optimal plant health. terms to comply with the Soybean Marketing Act this pandemic. And when White-tailed deer like to eat and Order. Learn more at scsoybeans.org. all persons gathering in a soybeans, but the economic group are fully vaccinated, UPCOMING EVENTS Farm Fresh Spring Market Adult Easter Egg Hunt Market Bulletin Office March 20 • 10 am – 3 pm March 27 • 6:30 – 10:30 pm Join us for a fun day of shopping, food trucks, On the hunt for a fun experience with your friends Monday – Friday • 8 AM – 4:30 PM hayrides, games, farm animals and more! $5 per or your date? Then bring your basket and flashlight 803-734-2536 • [email protected] person admission at the gate, all activities are and hop on over to the farm for our annual after- agriculture.sc.gov/market-bulletin included! Stay tuned for ongoing updates. Three dark Easter Egg Hunt. Beer & Wine, Heavy Hors EDITOR Oaks Farm d'oeuvres, Photo opportunities with the Easter Eva Moore 134 Horse Trail Road, Saint George Bunny Pre-Hunt games to win small prizes, Egg ADS & CIRCULATION Janet Goins 843-408-9736 Hunt and raffle-style drawing for Cash & Prizes! COORDINATOR Tickets: threeoaksfarmsc.com/farm-fresh-spring- Live Music by Trent Jeffcoat market.html Clinton Sease Farm GRAPHIC DESIGNER Stephanie Finnegan 382 Olde Farm Road, Lexington Peach Blossom Photography Days 803-730-2863 March 20 & 27 clintonseasefarm.com It's every photographer's dream season, and we are facebook.com/ClintonSeaseMaizeQuest South Carolina allowing photographers in our fields for two days. For the health and safety of everyone, these are the SCISA State Equestrian & Open Horse Show Department of Agriculture only 2 days we are permitting photographers to use April 17 • 10:30 am Contacts our fields. Email us at to receive more information! Open horse show to start immediately McLeod Farms following the SCISA State Western Equestrian Commissioner’s Office 29247 Hwy 151, McBee Championship. Estimated start of open show will 803-734-2190 843-335-8335 • [email protected] be noon. Classes will include English, western, macspride.com ranch & games. The honorable Cailey Culp of Certified SC Program Hemp Farming Program Laurinburg, NC will be judging. 803-734-2207 803-734-8339 Advanced Chicken Raising Class 10151 Garners Ferry Road, Eastover Consumer Protection Livestock & Grain March 27 • 9 am – 12 pm Contact: Joy McMillion 803-737-9700 Market News Topics: health, first aid, breeding, selling eggs, 803-917-2747 • [email protected] 803-737-4621 growing food. $15 per ticket. Email to sign up. Fruit & Vegetable Inspection Crazy Chic Heritage Farm 803-737-4588 Market News Recording 450 Kenal Road, Ridgeway 803-737-5900 843-475-6294 • [email protected] Fruit & Vegetable facebook.com/crazychicheritagefarm Market News Metrology Laboratory 803-737-4497 803-253-4052 Sheep Shearing Day SALES & AUCTIONS March 27 • 10 am – 5 pm Our 11th annual "A day in the life". The shearer Carolina Horseman's Connection Horse Auction returns for the yearly shearing of the sheep as March 20 • 12 pm well as Red Creek Farm border collie demo, wood Catalog Horse Sale. For more information, visit our The South Carolina worker, black smith, saw mill, Labrador Retriever Facebook page. Market Bulletin Grassy Pond Arena demo, food & music and other activities. $5 per (ISSN 0744-3986) person/2 & under free. 1524 Boiling Springs Hwy, Gaffney Old McCaskills Farm Contact: Shannon Winstead The Market Bulletin is published on the first and third Thursday 377 Cantey Lane, Rembert 864-710-4030 • [email protected] of each month by the SC Department of Agriculture, Wade Contact: Kathy L McCaskill facebook.com/horsemansconnection Hampton Building, Columbia, SC 29201. Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, SC 29201. 803-432-9537 • [email protected] Claxton's Auction Postmaster, send address changes to: oldmccaskillfarm.com March 20 & 27 • 11 am SC Market Bulletin, PO Box 11280, Columbia, SC 29211 th Special Sale March 21 • 1 pm 4 Annual Egg Hunt & Spring Fling on the Farm POLICIES FOR ADVERTISING March 27 • 1 – 5 pm Every Saturday. Equine, cows, sheep, goats, pigs, Egg hunt with over 10,000 eggs, Easter Bunny visit camelots, ratites, poultry, and small animals. For full policies, visit: agriculture.sc.gov/market-bulletin/market-bulletin-policies with treat bags, Cuddle with baby farm animals, 18627 Low Country Hwy, Ruffin Huge Slides & Playground, Wagon Rides, Jump Pad Contact: William Claxton Only ads pertaining to the production of agricultural products 843-909-4285 • [email protected] and related items are published.