News & Releases
December 2023
Aside from visiting loved ones, my favorite thing about the holidays is the food. Particularly the big sit-down meal shared with a full table. So, my question today: what would that holiday spread look like for a blade of grass in the pasture? Simply put, what can we, as grass growers, provide to satisfy our pastures in the growing season? Read (and eat) along and find out.
Looking for a refresher on calving? The Jan. 9, 2024, session of the All Things Beef workshop series in Afton could be just the ticket. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Chris Clark said this session offers info for cattle producers on what to look for and what to do during the process.
As winter approaches, the challenges associated with the application of manure become more pronounced. Adopting best practices that maximize nutrient utilization and safeguard our water resources is crucial. Daniel Andersen, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University, offers some critical considerations for beef manure application in the winter.
Beef feedlot producers and allied industry professionals are reminded to register for Feedlot Forum 2024 by Jan. 9. The agenda for the Jan. 16 event features current feedlot topics including beef on dairy production, new implant regulations, the 2024 Farm Bill, market transparency, and beef industry expansion. An added bonus is the trade show featuring more than 20 industry-leading companies and organizations.
Two northeast Iowa locations will host the four-part Boots in the Barn series in February and March. This program is for women dairy and beef producers and will be held in Edgewood and Decorah. Each date at both locations will have a dairy session from 1-3 p.m. and a beef session from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $30 per person. See more information on the program topics, speakers, specific locations and registration.
The Three-State Beef Conference is designed to provide beef cattle producers and others in the beef industry a regular update on current cow-calf and stocker topics. Iowa State University extension beef specialists Erika Lundy-Woolfolk and Chris Clark are Iowa organizers of the annual event, and say the content is based on prior attendee feedback and current industry economic conditions.
Three Iowa Beef Center team members were recently recognized for programming and reporting excellence through Iowa State University Ag and Natural Resources Extension. The awards were presented during the annual professional development event in October.
Where is the beef industry headed? Drought, a shrinking cow herd, rising costs, new regulations, and inflation have the industry floundering and producers wondering how to move forward, according to Beth Doran, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How to navigate these issues is the focus of Feedlot Forum 2024 on January 16 at the Terrace View Event Center in Sioux Center.
The premier educational event in Iowa for cow-calf producers has been set for Jan. 26-27, 2024, at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Patrick Wall said this year’s Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference will appeal to all kinds of beef enthusiasts, while staying true to the educational focus on topics relevant to Iowa’s beef industry.
The upcoming Driftless Region Beef Conference will showcase Dr. Kim Stackhouse-Lawson from Colorado State University, known for her work in sustainability of beef with NCBA and JBS USA, She's now the director of AgNext, a center for research in animal and ecosystem health, and profitability throughout the supply chain, according to Denise Schwab, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The conference will be held Jan. 25-26, 2024, at the Grand River Conference Center in Dubuque.
November 2023
Cattle producers facing tight hay supplies, poor pastures and corn silage with potential for nitrates can get answers at a series of workshops planned and presented by Iowa State University extension beef specialists. Six workshops remain, set for Dec. 4-12 at various Iowa locations.
The Inaugural Genetic Symposium is the place to be if you're a beef producer seeking information you need from sources you can trust to help guide your bull development or selection decisions. Attendees of the Dec. 18-19 event will engage with industry leaders and cutting-edge genetic tools, according to Iowa State University extension cow-calf specialist Randie Culbertson.
With nearly 2.5 million cattle in three Midwest states, university extension services in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin are teaming together to offer the Driftless Region Beef Conference. The twelfth annual event will be held Thursday and Friday, Jan. 25-26, 2024, at the Grand River Convention Center in Dubuque, Iowa.
Looking for something to fill the need for nutrition information for your cattle during the coming months? The Dec. 5 session of the All Things Beef workshop series in Afton could be just the ticket. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Chris Clark said this session will help producers with feeding decisions while keeping a close eye on costs.
While limited water presents significant challenges for livestock producers during drought, low water levels do offer an opportunity to make improvements in infrastructure to capitalize on future precipitation. Implementing effective water management strategies ensure productivity and health of the cow herd.
What do all profitable cow-calf operations have in common? A live healthy calf crop is the key to profitability! To help Iowa cattlemen and women prepare for a successful calving season and subsequent breeding period, Iowa Beef Center is offering two Advanced Calving Clinics on January 15, 2024.
There is no doubt the beef industry is changing, yet the bigger question is how feedlot producers can adapt and move forward. Beth Doran, Iowa State University extension beef specialist for northwest Iowa, said Feedlot Forum 2024 is designed to help producers transition through a variety of big changes.
Halloween is behind us, but for many in production agriculture, catching up on end of year business transactions and attempting to do some enterprise analysis is the real spooky season. Whether it’s simply from doing the task or from looking at the lump sums of line items like feed costs, the scare factor varies by individual. For people who prefer being out with the cows rather than in the office, it’s rarely a relished experience.
A new winter workshop series in Union County will focus on a different beef-related area per session with participant questions for presenters expected. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Chris Clark said the four workshops are intended for beef producers of all interests and experience levels. The series dates are Nov. 13, Dec. 5, Jan. 9, 2024, and Feb. 5, 2024,
Looking for the latest info on preparing calves for the feedlot, feeding beef-dairy steers, managing foot health or feed mixing? Would it be even better to have hands-on experience and discussion time with professionals and peers? The Cattle Feeders Camp could be just the ticket. Offered by the Iowa Beef Center in southwest Iowa, this regional event builds on the ongoing success of IBC's Feedlot Short Course.
The calendar year will soon be ending, but important decisions for cow-calf producers are just beginning. To help with information for those decisions, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer two outlook meetings in northwest Iowa on Nov. 29. ISU extension beef specialist Beth Doran is planning the meetings.
October 2023
The dry growing conditions of 2022 and 2023 have led to supply and quality issues of hay and other forages in some areas of the state. Unfortunately, tight hay supplies will likely lead to higher prices later in the winter feeding period, according to Iowa State University extension beef specialist Denise Schwab. Producers are invited to a workshop series on winter feeding basics for your cow herd beginning Nov. 20 in Postville.
Temperatures will be dropping to below freezing this weekend which can increase the risk of prussic acid poisoning for cattle grazing sorghum-type forages. Freeze-damaged plant cells build up prussic acid which is a cyanide compound that can kill cattle within minutes if they graze high risk forages.
A new resource for producers feeding beef x dairy crossbreds is now available thanks to a grant from the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Funded through the Iowa State Beef Checkoff, this research grant to a team at Iowa Beef Center focused on a three-part project which includes the creation of a web resource library on current beef x dairy information.
When the Iowa Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity began in 1982, the name was self-explanatory. The program covered a local geographical area and producers entered just a few head each. Today most producers send a stock trailer load or two, and all data is shared on a general basis with all participants. Program manager Catherine Hoffmann said the program is more than livestock, it's people helping each other improve their operation and produce higher quality cattle.
Building on the continued success of the Iowa Beef Center's Feedlot Short Course, a regional version has been created to provide a similar opportunity for southwest Iowa producers. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk is one of the program organizers and said the Cattle Feeders Camp will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 1.
As fall approaches, it is important to keep in mind proper nutrition and care of the herd sires after the breeding season. This is especially true for bulls under two years of age, according to Iowa Beef Center research scientist Garland Dahlke.
The importance of genetics in making decisions for your operation cannot be overstated. A new event offered by Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University is providing a program to educate producers on the tools available for making genetic improvement for their operation. The inaugural Genetic Symposium is set for Dec. 18-19 in Ames at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. ISU extension cow-calf specialist Randie Culbertson planned the program which focuses on the bull.
September 2023
Best management practices for winter care of the cow herd aren’t always evident, especially when those unfamiliar with raising livestock see animals outdoors in open fields during cold, snowy weather without apparent access to shelter. A recent Iowa State University study was designed to evaluate whether the effects of winter grazing or confinement for winter care of beef cows in Iowa would have any impact on the physical condition of the cow or the calf born to the cow in spring.
Make plans now to attend the Fencing and Grazing Clinic on Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the David Burmahl farm, north of Baldwin and northwest of Maquoketa. There's no cost to attend thanks to the following sponsors: Gallagher, Stockade, and the Iowa Forage and Grassland Council. However, preregistration is required by Sept. 12. Lunch will be provided.
August 2023
Some financial relief is in sight for cattle producers following recent extreme weather conditions. USDA's Farm Service Agency announced it has updated its Livestock Indemnity Program payment rate to support livestock producers in the Midwest who have lost cattle to the high heat and humidity experienced this summer. ISU extension beef specialist Beth Doran explains.
Iowa is fortunate to have corn as a major cropping enterprise. That's why it's important to keep harvest management tips in mind, according to Iowa State University extension beef specialist Beth Doran.
Drones have been part of agriculture's tool box for years, especially in increasing efficiency and effectiveness for crop acres. A north Iowa field day will focus on how one farmer uses drone technology for pinpoint weed control in pasture land not easily accessible by other methods.
With expected high temperature and heat index numbers the next several days, a reminder to adapt your normal schedule and animal handling tasks accordingly. Check the USDA ARS heat stress forecast for Iowa over the next seven days.
- Make sure your cattle have access to fresh water during this time.
- Shade structures can be beneficial for cattle as long as there is enough shade to accommodate all cattle.
- If shade is not an option consider sprinklers to cool cattle off if they show signs of heat stress (excessive panting or open mouth breathing).
- Do not process or load cattle when it is hot.
- Consider shifting to feeding most of the ration in the afternoon.
As forage resources dwindle in times of drought producers may need to consider early weaning options for the cow herd. Early weaning is designed to save body condition on the females by ending lactation and decreasing nutritional requirements. Terry Engelken of Veterinary Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine at Iowa State University said early weaned calves may present health challenges.
The Fencing and Grazing Clinic, organized and hosted by the Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is set for Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the David Burmahl farm, north of Baldwin and northwest of Maquoketa. IBC extension program specialist Beth Reynolds and IBC beef specialist Denise Schwab are planning the daylong event.
Nearly half of all Iowa counties are now authorized for emergency haying or grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program acres for fiscal year 2023. The USDA-FSA made the announcement July 31, with emergency haying authorization ending Aug. 31 and emergency grazing ending Sept. 30, both this year – 2023, for 46 Iowa counties. CRP participants are eligible to seek approval for either emergency haying or emergency grazing, but cannot do both on the same acres. See more information, including additional detail, dates and requesting approval, on the FSA website.
July 2023
Registration is now open for the 2023 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Symposium set for Sept. 6-7 at the Little America Hotel and Resort in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Producers, veterinarians, artificial insemination technicians, students and others interested in beef cattle production are encouraged to attend.
The 2023 annual field day at Iowa State University’s McNay Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm will be held August 23 at the farm located southwest of Chariton. The program is free and open to the public, and no preregistration is required. ISU extension field agronomist Clarabell Probasco said the program has a wide array of topics that will provide valuable insight to livestock and crop farmers.
The heat dome that has been breaking records all across the south will move northward this week bringing some of the hottest temperatures of the summer with it. According to the USDA ARS heat stress forecast Iowa will be in the danger and emergency levels of heat stress this Wednesday through Friday.
Prepare now for this heat event:
- Make sure your cattle have access to fresh water during this time.
- Shade structures can be beneficial for cattle as long as there is enough shade to accommodate all cattle.
- If shade is not an option consider sprinklers to cool cattle off if they show signs of heat stress (excessive panting or open mouth breathing).
- Do not process or load cattle when it is hot.
- Consider shifting to feeding most of the ration in the afternoon.
Contact your beef extension specialist for more information or see our heat resources page.
The 2023 Update for Veterinarians program offers current information and education focused on beef production. Organizer Chris Clark said practitioners who work with cattle will hear from Iowa State University experts on nutrition and diet formulation, genetics, and some interesting cases from the diagnostic lab at the July 12 event.
June 2023
It’s been a few months since the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service began the Cattle Contracts Library pilot program, and the agency is looking for feedback. Beef feedlot producers are invited to attend a listening session either in person or virtually. The two closest locations for Iowa producers are June 14 at the Iowa State University ISU Wallace Foundation Learning and Outreach Center located at 53020 Hitchcock Avenue, Lewis, and June 16 at the USDA Cattle & Carcass Training Center located on the campus of University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Loeffel Meat Science Laboratory, in Lincoln, Neb.
May 2023
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Appanoose County is hosting a pasture walk on June 13 beginning at 6 p.m. The event will take place southwest of Moulton, near 30151 269th Ave. This event is for anyone interested in learning more about pasture management and cattle grazing, and a trio of ISU Extension specialists will provide information on various aspects of pasture management.
Understanding and implementing appropriate fencing and grazing practices can pay big dividends for cattle producers. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk said the 2023 Fencing and Grazing Clinic hosted by ISU's Iowa Beef Center focused on efficient and effective tools and techniques. The daylong program was held at the ISU Armstrong Research Farm near Lewis in southwest Iowa.
After three years of drought, Iowa pastures are in need of some first aid, according to Beth Doran, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Two pasture walks in northwest/west central Iowa next month will help attendees learn how to work with current pasture conditions in their operations.
Did winter do a number on your fencing, again? Is it time to get real with plans for paddocks? Should a grazing calendar be part of your annual approach to efficient and effective forage use? The 2023 Fencing and Grazing Clinic, organized and hosted by Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, can help. It's set for May 16 at the ISU Armstrong Research Farm near Lewis in southwest Iowa.
April 2023
Women involved in cattle production in four southwest counties are invited to a unique educational series in May. Boots in the Barn is a custom-designed series that provides an open atmosphere for learning and asking questions. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk said this four-part course is hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach's Region 23, which comprises Adams, Taylor, Ringgold and Union counties.
Retained placentas can seem very problematic. They can look bad and smell even worse, especially if a cow goes more than a couple of days without cleaning. Your gut instinct may be to put on some gloves and pull it out. In this case, however, Iowa State University extension beef specialist Chris Clark says, "Don't listen to your gut!"
March 2023
The 2023 Fencing and Grazing Clinic, organized and hosted by Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is set for May 16 at the ISU Armstrong Research Farm near Lewis in southwest Iowa. Iowa State extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk said the clinic is timely and practical. By holding this clinic in May, we hope participants will be able to take more information they’ve learned and put it to use this grazing season, she said.
Research has consistently shown that calves born earlier in the season are more profitable. To help beef producers optimize the potential for getting more females bred earlier, the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University and Select Sires are partnering on a breeding season workshop set for April 13. The program will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Building at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds, 402 W State St., Guthrie Center.
It’s peak calving season for many producers across the Midwest which may mean long exhausting and occasionally frustrating hours of trying to save every calf. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Patrick Wall said a simple technique might help some newborns that struggle to nurse or appear to have little will to live.
February 2023
While long term drought can lead to changes in grazing and forage selection for beef producers, it also can affect feedlot numbers which in turn affect operational decisions and strategies. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Beth Doran said drought has reduced the supply of beef calves available to feedlots, causing producers to source dairy and beef-dairy cross animals to fill the void. However, dairy and beef-dairy cross animals present unique production and carcass challenges for a feedlot. These challenges are the focus of the 2023 Dairy Beef Short Course set for March 28 at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, SD.
Don’t delay in registering for the 2023 Iowa Forage and Grassland Council annual conference. Set for Feb. 28, the event returns to Ames, specifically at Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd., just to the southwest of Jack Trice Stadium.
Given the recent precipitation and the weather forecast, things are shaping up to create very muddy conditions in Iowa just as spring calving season is really taking off. Mud is always a headache but it can be particularly challenging for cattle producers during calving season. Chris Clark, ISU beef specialist, describes some of these challenges and offers a few suggestions to help producers manage muddy conditions.
UPDATE: In response to interest from outside Iowa in the Feb. 21 Swath Grazing Field Day at the ISU McNay Farm, a virtual option has been created to allow remote viewing. The classroom presentation about the project will be available via Zoom. This option does not require preregistration and there is no charge.
All hay producers in the east central Iowa region are invited to attend the 38th annual Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association Annual Meeting and Conference on March 9 at Buzzy’s bar and grill, 414 Main St., Welton. Registration starts at 10 a.m. with the program scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.
Cattle producers are invited to attend an educational program and pasture walk on Feb. 21 at the McNay Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm near Chariton. Iowa State University Extension beef specialist Chris Clark said the event will highlight a recent project demonstrating swath grazing during the winter to reduce labor and feed costs.
January 2023
The Iowa Forage and Grassland Council annual conference returns to Ames in 2023 with a full day of information. Set for Feb. 28, the event will be held at Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd., just to the southwest of Jack Trice Stadium. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with a welcome and introductions at 10 a.m.
The Driftless Region Beef Conference, set annually in Dubuque, is known for providing current information for cow-calf production in the tri-state area of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. However, it’s also home to a significant amount of cattle finishing. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Denise Schwab is part of the planning group and said one of the biggest concerns of cattle feeders in 2023 is increased cost of feeds due to high commodity prices and dry forage production conditions.
To help Iowa cattlemen and women prepare for a successful calving season, Iowa State Extension and Outreach is offering a hands-on calving clinic on Feb. 1. The workshop will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at the White Fair Building on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds and will be led by extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk.
The premier educational event in Iowa for cow-calf producers returns is set for Jan. 28 at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Patrick Wall said this year’s Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference will appeal to all kinds of beef enthusiasts, while staying true to the educational focus on topics relevant to Iowa’s beef industry.
The rolling hills of the driftless region of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin lend themselves to pastures and cows. The university extension services in these three states are teaming together to offer the Driftless Region Beef Conference to educate beef producers.The eleventh annual event will be held Jan. 26-27 at the Grand River Convention Center in Dubuque. A great line up of cow-calf specific topics is slated for Friday morning, Jan. 27.
What do all profitable cow-calf operations have in common? A healthy calf crop on the ground, ready to develop for market. To help Iowa cattlemen and women prepare for a successful calving season, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering a hands-on calving clinic on Jan. 18. The workshop will be held at the Dunlap Livestock Auction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
News releases |2022|
