News from Iowa Beef Center
Beginning and young livestock producer groups are starting in southwest and north central Iowa. Specialist Chris Clark is working with the SW event on June 22 and Russ Euken is the contact for the June 26 north central Iowa event.
AI practices survey needs your input. If you use AI in your own operation or provide AI services to others, please consider taking part in a short survey. Your help will provide information on practices beef producers use in conjunction with AI and synchronization of estrus. Most questions are simple to answer (e.g., "Have you used gender sorted semen?" y/n). A few questions allow you to share what you have learned using AI. Most people should be able to complete the survey in 10 to 20 min. It will be open through September, and eventual survey results will be available on the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle website Need some incentive? One lucky respondent will receive 50 Estrotect Heat Detection Patches.
Following a successful pilot season in 2012, the Certified Grazier Program is being expanded to two southern Iowa locations this year. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Joe Sellers said the program is ideal for those who have experience with grazing and want more detailed information on tools and techniques.
A four-part beef management discussion series has been scheduled for Iowa State University’s McNay Research and Demonstration Farm southwest of Chariton, according to ISU Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Joe Sellers. The session dates are June 18, July 16, August 26 and September 10. Learn more about this free program.
Those who use grazing in their livestock operations are encouraged to register now for the 2013 Iowa Grazing Conference, set for June 25-26 in Creston. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Joe Sellers has been involved with the conference for several years and said this year’s event has classroom and field experiences.
A new four-part series of fact sheets on contract grazing for cattle is now available on this website. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists Joe Sellers and Andy Larson are Iowa representatives to the specialized working group within the Green Lands, Blue Water project that developed the new resource. See more information, including links to download these resources.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources website has information on animal feeding operations in Iowa. Linked from the site is a document (pdf) on medium CAFO permit and design criteria.
See these resource pages (Sources and resources are added as they are available.)
Flood resources
Water management and drought resources
ISU Extension and Outreach resources