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With any feedlot cattle death, the closer to the sell date, the higher the impact. From a financial standpoint in terms of feed costs and lost opportunity to market, to the lowered morale of those who care for the animals, consequences can be costly. An Iowa State University team from animal science and veterinary diagnostic production animal medicine is starting a two-year research project on late-term feedlot death loss, thanks to a grant funded by the Iowa State Beef Checkoff.

Selecting the right free-choice mineral program is an important part of cow-calf management. The University of Nebraska under the leadership of Dr. Mary Drewnoski and her student Jesse Fulton along with Iowa Beef Center’s research scientist Garland Dahlke have developed a new tool to help producers with those decisions, and attendees at an upcoming two-part webinar series provided by University of Nebraska—Lincoln will be among the first to try it out.

Ultrasound is a technology, and as such, requires continual updating. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Patrick Wall said moving from analog signal to digital machines is a step in the right direction for beef producers. And thanks to a grant funded by the Iowa State Beef Checkoff, he’ll be focusing on how to better use data available from new machines.

Iowa State University extension beef specialist Denise Schwab invites northeast Iowa producers to a variety of beef and forage programs happening this summer and fall. Iowa Grazing Academy, Beef 365 and open class carcass contests are just three of the options.

When used as part of a proper strategy, growth implants for beef cattle can increase daily gains by up to 20%, improve efficiency by up to 15%, and reduce production costs by at least 10%. A variety of implants and options are available; each should be considered before implementing a program. Few technologies offer a greater return on investment than implants, and a newly updated publication from Iowa Beef Center can help producers with these decisions.

Amid the busy growing seasons, it is nearly impossible for cattlemen to find time to accomplish every task on their list. Easing labor demands is one of the largest perks of utilizing the improved fencing tools available. Permanent, temporary and virtual fence opportunities have all seen improvements that can streamline labor, while improving the grazing system. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Denise Schwab said getting a handle on available fencing options can be challenging for producers.

Iowa cattle feeders are invited to attend one of the new Cyclone Cattle Feeder Days programs, scheduled for Aug. 24–27 in Carroll, Monticello, Osage and Orange City. Iowa Beef Center director Aimee Wertz-Lutz said her team is excited to bring Cyclone Cattle Feeder Days to multiple regions of the state and meet cattle feeders where they are.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering the Iowa Grazing Academy, a multi-part educational program designed to help beef producers improve pasture productivity and grazing management. The academy combines a series of free online sessions with hands-on in-person field days held at locations across the state, making it convenient for farmers wherever they are in Iowa.

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