More summer events for northeast Iowa beef producers

6/26/26

VINTON, Iowa – 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. For more information about any of the events, contact her at dschwab@iastate.edu or call 319-721-9624.

Open class carcass contests
Two counties offer open-class carcass contests in July for producers to learn more about the carcass merit of the steers they raise. All are open to any producers, with cattle harvested at Tyson Fresh Meats in Joslin, IL. Pay is based on actual carcass weight, yield and quality grade, and the daily Tyson price grids. Some counties have added prize money. Contact the county coordinator for entry details, prices, and deadlines.

• July 12, Clinton County, weigh-in 3-4 PM, Maquoketa Livestock Exchange. Contact Loren Truelson at 563-249-3756.
• July 28, Scott County, weigh-in 4-5:30 PM, Maquoketa Livestock Exchange. Contact Darin Doerscher at 563-275-8079. Pre-entry required.

Cattle handling workshop
We are partnering with Family Veterinary Services in Monticello to host a cattle handling workshop on July 1. Dr. Grant Dewell, ISU Extension beef veterinarian, will demonstrate cattle handling and acclimation, insect pests and body condition scoring. The workshop is at their clinic, 1321 S Main St, Monticello. Dinner starts at 5 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m. For more details and to register, contact the Family Veterinary Services at 319-251-0530.

Iowa Grazing Academy
This hybrid learning experience is designed to help livestock producers improve pasture productivity and profitability. Five online midday sessions are paired with a hands-on field demonstration. No cost for online sessions, and all will be recorded for later viewing. Registration fee is $20 for the in-person field day.

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 contact ISU extension forage specialist Shelby Gruss at sgruss@iastate.edu or 515-294-3832.

All online sessions run from noon to 1:30 p.m.

• July 13 Grazing principles
• July 15 Animal requirements & health
• July 16 Grazing strategies
• July 20 Infrastructure, Alternatives, & Budgets
• July 22 Productivity, weeds & technology

The hands-on demonstration field day is July 23 and runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kirkwood Community College's Tippie Beef Center in Cedar Rapids. The focus is on incorporating summer annuals into existing pastures to increase forage productivity.

Fencing & Grazing Clinic
This one-day workshop on Aug. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. will focus on new tools in fencing, designing paddocks, grazing leases & fence law, and virtual fencing options; and will be held at the Etzel Sugar Grove Farm, 3706 St. Peters Rd, near Marion. Cost is $20 and includes lunch. Co-sponsors of this event are Gallagher, Monil, NoFence, Iowa Forage & Grassland Council, and the generous hosts at the Rodale Institute-Midwest Organic Center. Register by Aug. 4 at: https://go.iastate.edu/5MSMOU or by calling 319-377-9839.

Beef 365 continues with sessions 2-4
All sessions held at the Jackson County Extension office in Maquoketa beginning with dinner at 6 p.m. Cost is $15 per session. To register, contact Hannah at the Jackson County Extension office hannahdr@iastate.edu or call 563-652-4923.
Sept. 9 – feedlot management
Dec. 16 – cow-calf focus, with genetics, bull selection, breeding season planning
March 23, 2027 – calving season preparation and assisting with difficult births.

Cyclone Cattle Feeder Days
Cyclone Cattle Feeder Day at the Jones County Extension Youth Development Center, 800 N Maple Street, Monticello, is August 25. Speakers are Balance4ward with a market outlook and risk management tools; ISU ag engineer Dan Anderson on optimizing manure value; Aimee Lutz on new opportunities with technology; current ISU research from faculty; and David Trowbridge on the application of new technologies. The program is co-sponsored by Balance4Ward, C-Lock, Elanco Animal Health, Performance Livestock Analytics, and the Iowa Beef Checkoff. Registration is $20. To register contact the Jones County Extension office at 319-465-3224.  Registration starts at 9:45 a.m. with the program running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

BQA
Just two more trainings in Northeast Iowa in 2026.
Aug. 24 –  BQA & BQAT, Tama Livestock Auction, 6 p.m. Call Tama Livestock Auction at 641-484-3465 to register.
Sept. 16 –  BQA, Decorah Sales Commission, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Contact Denise Schwab for more information at 319-472-4739 or dschwab@iastate.edu.

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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:
Denise Schwab, Iowa State University Extension beef specialist, 319-472-4739, dschwab@iastate.edu