Iowa Beef Center | Iowa State University

Mission: The Iowa Beef Center mission is to enhance the vitality, profitability and growth of the Iowa beef industry through timely and relevant producer education, applied research and improved access to information.
News from Iowa Beef Center
	Beyond the obvious and immediate challenges of excessive rainfall, wet weather may predispose livestock to a painful infection called footrot. Footrot is a bacterial infection of the foot characterized by swelling and pain, often in the interdigital space, and associated lameness. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Chris Clark said that following a wet spring and recent storms and flooding, there may be a greater risk for this disease in Midwestern cattle herds.
	There is little doubt that agricultural producers who experience flooding are affected financially, and Beth Doran, Iowa State University extension beef specialist, encourages affected livestock producers to contact their local Farm Service Agency office immediately.
	Heavy rains and ongoing flooding may mean big changes for producers. See our Flood Resources page for links to people, programs and information that can help. Also, the Iowa Concern website, toll-free phone at 1-800-447-1985, and live chat are available all hours, all days with help and referrals as needed.
	Learn about grazing management with surplus forage, how to establish new pastures, and much more at the Pasture Management Field Day near Lehigh on July 10.
	Although dairy animals have traditionally made up about 20% of the beef supply, packer decisions in 2017 to stop purchasing fed dairy steers have led those producers to make different choices in their genetics and breeding decisions. Early semen selection approaches provided black-hided cattle but with conformation more closely matching straight-bred dairy cattle. With little direct connection between feedlots and dairy farms, it's difficult to obtain data from the common link: beef on dairy (BXD) calf raisers and ranches, and producers finishing BXD calves. An Iowa Beef Center-led study focused on this link with surveys of both groups in or near Iowa.
	Beef producers in northeast Iowa are encouraged to check their Beef Quality Assurance certification expiration date to be sure they can continue to sell their cattle. BQA is required for everyone who sells cattle to Tyson Foods, Cargill, and Iowa Premium, as well as several other beef processors and some sale barns. Iowa State University Extension beef specialist Denise Schwab said sessions through Aug. 29 are scheduled in the northeast Iowa area, and are for both initial certification and recertification. At the end of the meeting, all participants will become BQA certified.
	Dealing with stress: Serious financial and other stresses continue to impact and affect those in our agricultural community. There are some resources to help deal with a variety of stress concerns and grief. The Iowa Concern Hotline is always available at 800-447-1985, iowaconcern@iastate.edu and at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/iowaconcern/.
	Looking for a BQA workshop? Check this listing on this page of the Iowa Beef Industry Council website for a location near you. This page also has links to our IBC personnel, online BQA training, information on BQA transportation trainings and more.
	Stay informed IBC news releases, IBC director monthly column, newsletters and more.

Mission: The Iowa Beef Center mission is to enhance the vitality, profitability and growth of the Iowa beef industry through timely and relevant producer education, applied research and improved access to information.

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