Make plans now to attend the Fencing and Grazing Clinic on Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the David Burmahl farm, north of Baldwin and northwest of Maquoketa. There's no cost to attend thanks to the following sponsors: Gallagher, Stockade, and the Iowa Forage and Grassland Council. However, preregistration is required by Sept. 12. Lunch will be provided.

Some financial relief is in sight for cattle producers following recent extreme weather conditions. USDA's Farm Service Agency announced it has updated its Livestock Indemnity Program payment rate to support livestock producers in the Midwest who have lost cattle to the high heat and humidity experienced this summer. ISU extension beef specialist Beth Doran explains.

Iowa is fortunate to have corn as a major cropping enterprise. That's why it's important to keep harvest management tips in mind, according to Iowa State University extension beef specialist Beth Doran.

Drones have been part of agriculture's tool box for years, especially in increasing efficiency and effectiveness for crop acres. A north Iowa field day will focus on how one farmer uses drone technology for pinpoint weed control in pasture land not easily accessible by other methods.

With expected high temperature and heat index numbers the next several days, a reminder to adapt your normal schedule and animal handling tasks accordingly. Check the USDA ARS heat stress forecast for Iowa over the next seven days.

• Make sure your cattle have access to fresh water during this time.
• Shade structures can be beneficial for cattle as long as there is enough shade to accommodate all cattle.
• If shade is not an option consider sprinklers to cool cattle off if they show signs of heat stress (excessive panting or open mouth breathing).
• Do not process or load cattle when it is hot.
• Consider shifting to feeding most of the ration in the afternoon.

As forage resources dwindle in times of drought producers may need to consider early weaning options for the cow herd. Early weaning is designed to save body condition on the females by ending lactation and decreasing nutritional requirements. Terry Engelken of Veterinary Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine at Iowa State University said early weaned calves may present health challenges.

The Fencing and Grazing Clinic, organized and hosted by the Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is set for Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the David Burmahl farm, north of Baldwin and northwest of Maquoketa. IBC extension program specialist Beth Reynolds and IBC beef specialist Denise Schwab are planning the daylong event.

Nearly half of all Iowa counties are now authorized for emergency haying or grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program acres for fiscal year 2023. The USDA-FSA made the announcement July 31, with emergency haying authorization ending Aug. 31 and emergency grazing ending Sept. 30, both this year – 2023, for 46 Iowa counties. CRP participants are eligible to seek approval for either emergency haying or emergency grazing, but cannot do both on the same acres. See more information, including additional detail, dates and requesting approval, on the FSA website.

Registration is now open for the 2023 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Symposium set for Sept. 6-7 at the Little America Hotel and Resort in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Producers, veterinarians, artificial insemination technicians, students and others interested in beef cattle production are encouraged to attend.

The heat dome that has been breaking records all across the south will move northward this week bringing some of the hottest temperatures of the summer with it. According to the USDA ARS heat stress forecast Iowa will be in the danger and emergency levels of heat stress this Wednesday through Friday.

Prepare now for this heat event:

• Make sure your cattle have access to fresh water during this time.
• Shade structures can be beneficial for cattle as long as there is enough shade to accommodate all cattle.
• If shade is not an option consider sprinklers to cool cattle off if they show signs of heat stress (excessive panting or open mouth breathing).
• Do not process or load cattle when it is hot.
• Consider shifting to feeding most of the ration in the afternoon.

Contact your beef extension specialist for more information or see our heat resources page.

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