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
	Fall is a busy time of the year with harvest and field operations, but attention should also be given to pastures and cattle management. Lenth Herefords outside of Postville has developed a system of properly managing their pastures while caring for their herd of Hereford cattle, and Iowa State University extension field agronomist John Michel said an upcoming pasture walk is a good way for people to see what's been done.
	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 Sept. 18 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.
	Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in cooperation with the Iowa Beef Industry Council will host Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training programs on Sept. 18, and 25 this fall in central and south central Iowa. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Chris Clark said BQA certification is perhaps more important than ever.
	It's easy for pasture infrastructure improvements to quickly fall behind on the to-do list. However, it is always advantageous to actively consider potential improvements and make plans to implement improvements in slow seasons. The 2024 Fencing and Grazing Clinic, rescheduled for Sept. 20 at the Western Research and Demonstration Farm, can help.
	Harvest season is just around the corner, and with it comes an abundance of corn residue ready for cattlemen to utilize. When planning how many grazing days are available, Iowa State University extension program specialist Beth Reynolds said it’s important to look at some potential positive changes in that number. A Sept. 24 corn residue grazing field day will provide info.
	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.
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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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