Northwest Iowa field day to demonstrate and explore new beef production technology
Field day attendees discuss virtual fencing collar systems.
5/29/26
SANBORN, Iowa – Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University and South Dakota State University Beef Extension are partnering to showcase, demonstrate, and discuss a wide variety of new tools and techniques in beef production at a northwest Iowa field day.
The event will be hosted by Aaron Alons of Tallgrass Cattle located at Getting Farms, 2859 Pierce Avenue, Sanborn, on Thursday, June 25. The field day will start at 10 a.m. and wrap up at 2 p.m. Alons, who raises grass-fed and finished beef for direct sale to consumers, will demonstrate the use of NoFence virtual fencing collars he has been using on the cow herd for more than a year. In addition, he’ll share his experience with securing EQIP funding to implement the collars and incorporating annual forages into the grazing rotation.
ISU extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk said a unique feature of this event is the SDSU technology trailer packed with a variety of livestock technologies.
“The trailer has animal health monitoring software, water monitoring software, a handheld feed analyzer, drones, and much more,” she said. “Additional topics include cybersecurity awareness and applicable precision technologies research, and we’ll have a designated time for technology demonstrations.”
ISU extension program specialist Beth Reynolds and ISU extension cow-calf specialist Randie Culbertson will share updates on ongoing ISU research utilizing various technologies, such as 701x ear tags for monitoring grazing behaviors.
As more technology-driven information becomes available, beef producers are seeking potential efficiencies and greater value from these tools and techniques. In a survey following a similar event in southwest Iowa in fall 2025, participants reported increased understanding and knowledge of virtual fencing, wearable ear tags and sensors, cybersecurity awareness, and performance and data management systems. They also said they'd like to learn more about virtual fencing and tag research, applying data, software to help align different data types, and using drones for pasture systems.
RSVPs are requested by Monday, June 22, to ensure adequate meals and space. Please call the O’Brien County Extension Office at 712-957-5045 or sign up online at https://go.iastate.edu/OBFAWQ.
Thanks to sponsorship from Iowa State Beef Checkoff Program, NoFence, and Iowa Forage and Grassland Council, this program is provided at no cost to attendees and includes a meal grilled by the O’Brien County Cattlemen.
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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:
Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialist, 641-745-5902, ellundy@iastate.edu
