Wet conditions have created significant challenges this year for producers who are working to put up hay for winter forage needs. Shorter days and cooler fall temperatures add to the challenge of putting up dry hay. Producers who still need to put up hay this fall may want to consider making baleage as an option for dealing with cold and wet weather conditions.

The 2019 Beef Nutrition Research Showcase, set for Wednesday, December 4, features a variety of topics presented by eight Iowa State University speakers, all with an eye on practical research and market information. It's presented by Iowa Beef Center and the ruminant nutrition group in the animal science department at Iowa State.

Beef Quality Assurance Transportation is the latest certification needed for beef cattle haulers and producers who deliver cattle to major packing plants.To help transporters become certified in BQA transportation, a multi-state workshop will be offered by Iowa State Extension and Outreach, South Dakota State University Extension and University of Minnesota Extension on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sioux Falls Regional Livestock. This will be the last in-person workshop offered in South Dakota and northwest Iowa for 2019.

The 2019 Iowa State University Animal Industry Report is now available online. The annual report, begun in 2004, features a variety of animal industry-related research and study done at Iowa State that is supported by the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station. The report is coordinated through the animal science department and is published by the Iowa State University Digital Press, using a new publication system this year.

The use of cover crops following grain production is a great way to protect soil, reduce erosion, improve water quality and enhance soil quality. While fall grazing crops face weather-related challenges, they also can reduce feed costs. A new infographic shares experiences, information and advice from 18 producers who have fall-grazed cover crops for at least two years.

As beef cattle producers turn their attention to weaning, the Iowa Beef Center encourages producers to consider using its 205-Day Weight Calculator. This free spreadsheet tool assists beef producers in calculating Standardized 205-Day weaning weights. Iowa State University Extension beef specialist Denise Schwab said weaning weights are used to evaluate differences in growth potential of calves and the milking ability of dams.

The College of Veterinary Medicine and the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University are asking for help from midwestern confined cow-calf producers on a survey project. The main goal of this project is to determine the common management practices utilized, the incidence and importance of animal disease, and the nutritional management practices in confined cow-calf operations. We want to improve our understanding of how these operations are managed so that we can better serve producer needs through research and educational activities. All data collected will be completely confidential and no individual answers will be published. Any presentation of the results of the survey will have all answers compiled from all participants. We hope to complete our data collection and analysis by this fall so producer educational programming may be planned beginning in 2020. The survey is available online here https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bgyUzdjBrQJaBFj  and in paper version. Request a paper copy by contacting Dr. Terry Engelken at 515-294-2192. A stamped return envelope will be included so you can mail the completed survey back at no charge. You can email Engelken with any questions.

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