Iowa State University launches Iowa Grazing Academy for beef producers across the state

6/24/26

AMES, Iowa — 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.

The program is funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, and ISU extension forage specialist Shelby Gruss said all are welcome at all events.

“Grazing is our cheapest feed option for our animals, but we need to take care of the forage we have in our pastures to maximize what we can do with it," Gruss said. "That is what this academy can do for you: learn why managing our grass is important — not just for stand persistence, but also for productivity.”

Free Online Sessions - July 13-22

Online sessions run from noon to 1:30 p.m. and will be recorded for later viewing. There is no cost to participate online. Producers can attend all sessions or select those that best fit their schedule. While online attendance is not required to participate in a field day, it is strongly recommended — the sessions are designed to build practical knowledge that will make the in-person experience more valuable.

Session 1 · July 13: Introduction - Concepts & Principles
Plant growth & regrowth, forage species comparison, and building a forage mixture.
Session 2 · July 15: Animal Needs & Health
Animal requirements, health concerns, nitrates, prussic acid, bloat, and weed toxicities.
Session 3 · July 16: Grazing Strategies
Rotational stocking, paddock design & measurement, and fescue management.
Session 4 · July 20: Infrastructure, Alternatives, & Budgets
Paddock layouts & water systems, alternative forages, and enterprise budgets.
Session 5 · July 22: Productivity, Weeds & Technology
Improving forage fertility, weed control, and grazing management software.

In-Person Field Days - $20 Per Person

In-person field days offer hands-on learning and are held at multiple locations across Iowa so producers can choose the event most convenient for them. Attendees will gain practical experience in species identification, biomass estimation techniques, warm-season cover crop integration, cool- and warm-season rotation planning, and pasture problem diagnosis and renovation.

Beef Focused Field Days:

• East-Central Iowa - July 23, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids.
  Focus: Summer annual integration with rotational stocking.
• Southeast Iowa - July 28, 3 to 8 p.m. K7 Hereford, Lockridge.
  Focus: Grazing management in cool-season pastures.
• Central Iowa - August 4, 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. 2XL Cattle Company, Boone.
  Focus: Summer annual integration with rotational stocking.

Registration

Advance registration for all sessions is encouraged to help with planning. Online attendees should register to receive session links. Register at https://go.iastate.edu/AWTQUQ or by contacting Gruss at sgruss@iastate.edu or 515-294-3832.

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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.

Contact:
Shelby Gruss, Iowa State University Extension forage specialist, 515-294-3832, sgruss@iastate.edu