Driftless Region Beef Conference offered in Dubuque Jan. 22-23
11/24/25
DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Extension services of the University of Illinois, Iowa State University, and University of Wisconsin are working together to offer the thirteenth annual Driftless Region Beef Conference on Jan. 22-23, 2026, at the Grand River Convention Center in Dubuque. The aim of the conference is to provide educational sessions for beef producers.
ISU extension beef specialist Denise Schwab said past participants reported the conference program would increase their economic return by more than $10 per animal managed, testifying to the value of attending the conference. This year's presenters continue to bring that value to the conference and attendees.
"Feedlot producers should be especially interested in the presentations by Dr. Teresa Steckler from Illinois on tick management, since many of the feeder cattle in this area come from the southeastern region of the U.S., feeder cattle can potentially bring ticks to our region," Schwab said. "Two ticks of particular interest are the Lone Star tick and the Asian Longhorned tick. Both bring diseases with them and Dr. Steckler will share information about monitoring for them as well as managing them if or when they arrive in the Driftless region."
Dr. Mark Hilton from Midwest Beef Cattle Consultants in Indiana will discuss the role and value of basic biosecurity to the beef operation, and also address the movement of disease and pests into the Driftless Region cattle operations. His presentation will focus on the daily management practices that protect your operation from health challenges.
Dr. Kellie Curry-Raper from Oklahoma State University will share some of her research looking at practices that add value to feeder calves and how to implement those practices in the cow herd. While much of this will focus on what the cow enterprise does to add value, it will likely also add a perspective on the value a feedyard can place on calves of varying management protocols.
Four feedlot breakout sessions will be held Friday morning. Many of our feedyards depend on corn silage for the base of their ration and Dr. Luiz Ferraretto from the University of Wisconsin will discuss practices to produce and management silage for optimum quality and minimum waste. Dr. Aimee Lutz from Iowa State University will discuss management and issues related to feeding cattle to heavier weights. She will also do a second presentation on mycotoxins in feed. The final presentation will be Chris Baxter from the University of Wisconsin, on maximizing the value of feedlot manure.
To wrap up the conference, everyone will hear Dr. Brenda Boetel from the University of Wisconsin talk on the cattle market outlook for 2026 and beyond, which encompasses the current cattle market situation and factors affecting producer profitability.
The early registration fee of $120 per person must be received prior to midnight on Jan. 7. After that, the price increases to $145 per person. To register please visit https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/beef/ where you can also find more information on topics, speakers, and lodging.
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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
