WEATHER RELATED ANNOUNCEMENT: These calving clinics, originally scheduled for Jan. 15 in Maquoketa and Independence, are tentatively postponed. Decisions on canceling or rescheduling will be made soon.

 

Calving clinic participants practice techniques with help from ISU extension beef veterinarian Grant Dewell.

11/16/23

AMES Iowa  — 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, according to Iowa State University extension beef specialist Denise Schwab.

“Whether you’ve calved out 10 cows or 10,000 cows, there’s always a new tip or technique to learn to help you get one more calf born alive,” she said. “These clinics will feature a variety of hands-on and classroom sessions, and opportunities to share questions and experiences.”

Session topics cover essentials from conception to calving, including nutrition basics during gestation and early lactation, assisting at calving, working with your local veterinarian, and baby calf health and care.

“We anticipate attendees will really enjoy the hands-on session led by clinical assistant professor Dr. Caitlin Wiley from the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine,” Schwab said. “This session focuses on troubleshooting dystocia issues utilizing a life-size cow model.”

Thanks to the cooperation and sponsorship of Zoetis, Dr. Vickie Cooper and Dr. Marty Andersen will be discussing the importance of your local veterinarian and cow nutrition. Dr. Grant Dewell, ISU extension beef veterinarian, will discuss caring for the newborn calf.

Because the sessions are designed for individual hands-on learning, attendance is limited to 50 participants per clinic location and preregistration is required. Thanks to program sponsor Zoetis, the cost is $25 per person, which includes a meal.

Those who want to attend should register at least two days in advance of their desired location date by contacting the respective county extension office.

Jan. 15. Jackson County Extension office, Maquoketa; 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., contact Jackson County Extension at 563-652-4923 or email Halie at hmaier@iastate.edu

Jan. 15. Heartland Acres Event Center, Independence; 4:30 – 9:30 p.m., contact Buchanan County Extension at 319-334-7161 or email Kara at karav@iastate.edu

 

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The Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit www.iowabeefcenter.org.

Contact:
Denise Schwab, ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialist, 319-721-9624, dschwab@iastate.edu

 

2023 News and releases