Clemson has asked for funds to help protect the state’s poultry industry from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_cupoultryfunding01.jpgClemson has asked for funds to help protect the state’s poultry industry from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Courtesy photo

Clemson University pomologist Juan Carlos Melgar (left) speaks with consumers about bagging peaches to protect them from pests and disease without applying chemicals.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_cupoultryfunding02.jpgClemson University pomologist Juan Carlos Melgar (left) speaks with consumers about bagging peaches to protect them from pests and disease without applying chemicals. Scott Miller | Clemson University

COLUMBIA — Funding to bolster South Carolina’s defense against a disease that could severely damage the state’s poultry industry tops a list of Clemson University budget requests presented to a House Ways and Means Subcommittee.

Together with some of the state’s top agribusiness leaders, Clemson administrators made the case for a total of $5 million to enhance and expand research and extension programs designed to support the state’s $42 billion agribusiness industry.

“We have a simple formula that we follow,” said George Askew, vice president of Clemson Public Service and Agriculture, the extension and regulatory arm of the university. “We listen carefully to the needs of our citizens, we research solutions to those needs and we impart what we learn back to those citizens through our Extension Service. Clemson University is the research and development arm for South Carolina farmers and landowners.”

The request, presented last week, includes $750,000 to strengthen the state’s animal and infectious disease prevention program against the threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and other animal diseases. The state’s Livestock Poultry Health unit is part of Clemson Public Service and Agriculture.

“HPAI would devastate the poultry industry, which is the largest agribusiness in the state of South Carolina. There’s not too much money that you can spend on protecting us from this threat,” said Connie Smith, president of the South Carolina Poultry Federation.

South Carolina’s $14.5 billion animal agriculture industry is fueled by 12,662 poultry and livestock operations. The state’s poultry exports have risen by 267 percent since 2000 to $142 million in 2012, according to the most recent numbers.

HPAI is carried by waterfowl and an outbreak in the Midwest cost Iowa and Minnesota $1.85 billion. A less infectious strain of the disease was recently found in Indiana.

The funding would be used to hire additional animal health inspectors, laboratory staff and equipment.

Clemson is also seeking $2.5 million to support the operation of its five research and education centers and campus farms, $500,000 to help expand and enhance fruit and vegetable production in the state and $1.25 million for beef and dairy research and Extension.

“Our business has grown at a rate of over 20 percent per year over the past 15 years, and much of that growth would not have been possible without the support and the work of the research institution at PSA and Clemson,” said Lori Anne Carr, vice president of Titan Farms in Ridge Spring.

Titan Farms, the largest peach grower in in the Southeast, has worked closely with Clemson peach researchers to find a solution to Armillaria root disease, a soil-borne fungus that kills fruit trees and costs the peach industry millions each year.

“This and other research from Clemson Extension supports and helps the specialty crop industry and South Carolina agriculture immensely,” said Carr. “Farmers in this state need Clemson University to help the transition from growing traditional crops to growing new, highly profitable fruit and vegetable crops that will help increase our total farm receipts.”

Clemson is also seeking $1.7 million to complete renovation of its agricultural and natural resources field facilities and $11 million to add a conference center/exhibition hall, additional show space and paved parking at the T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena in Anderson County.

This story courtesy of Clemson University.