Resilient Systems Field Day set in central Iowa
5/8/26
Ames, Iowa ― Beef cattle producers are invited to learn more about creating and sustaining long term helpful practices in livestock and forage systems at a new educational opportunity in central Iowa. The Resilient Systems Field Day will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 9 at the Iowa State Beef Teaching Farm located south of Ames at 3725 520th Ave. The event is offered by ISU Extension and Outreach.
ISU extension beef specialist Chris Clark said the program will focus on practical strategies to improve forage and livestock system resilience, and will include interactive discussions and hands-on learning. Topics are weather awareness; species diversity including perennials and legumes; soil structure, roots and water infiltration; toxic plant management; and integrating livestock and forage systems.
"Our state agricultural climatology extension specialist, Madelynn Wuestenberg, will lead an interactive exercise to teach attendees how to use some online tools to learn more about weather patterns and the effects on our forage and livestock farms," he said. "Our state forage specialist Shelby Gruss will lead a discussion on forage systems under increasing weather variability, using rhizobox and soil pit demonstrations to help attendees visualize belowground processes that drive system resilience and productivity in their fields."
Clark will talk about some practical suggestions to optimize animal health and mitigate effects of extreme weather on livestock.
Curriculum also includes discussion of forage crop diversity, utilization of perennials and legumes, and management of toxic plants. The program is designed to help attendees improve system resilience, especially in terms of forage and livestock production in the face of challenging weather conditions.
See more info and a detailed agenda.
With the focus on individual and small group opportunities, Gruss said those interested should not delay registering.
“We are limiting the audience size to facilitate interactive learning so producers will want to sign up early to secure a spot,” she said.
Preregistration by June 4 is requested to support meal planning and class preparation. Lunch will be provided by the Story County Cattlemen and organizers plan to round out the day with ice cream from the ISU Dairy. Registration is $20 and can be paid via the online registration site.
For more information, please contact Gruss at 515-294-3832 or by email at sgruss@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.
Contacts:
Chris Clark, Iowa State University Extension beef specialist, 712-250-0070, caclark@iastate.edu
Shelby Gruss, Iowa State University Extension forage specialist, 515-294-3832, sgruss@iastate.edu
