News & Releases
June 2025
The Iowa State University Cash Rental Rates for Iowa 2025 Survey has been published, and the results make an interesting read for any land owner, tenant, or farm manager. For the first time in six years, row crop rental rates decreased by almost 3%; however, rental rates on pasture and forage acres across the state remain steady to 3% higher for the ninth straight year.
Southwest Iowa area producers are invited to an evening pasture walk with Jake and Shane Smith on July 1 at the Fremont County Fairgrounds in Sidney. Experts from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Natural Resources Conservation Service will cover a number of topics during the program.
Good news for those looking for technical and practical information for their feedlot operation - the popular Feedlot Short Course is back. Hosted by the Iowa Beef Center and set for July 29-31, this three-day conference was created with today’s beef producer in mind. Event organizer Iowa State University extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk said the course design and access to industry speakers provide great value to attendees.
May 2025
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in partnership with Northeast Iowa Community College, is hosting an equipment demonstration field day June 23, focusing on hay equipment. Field agronomist Josh Michel said the program is a unique way for ISU Extension and Outreach to showcase equipment options for hay producers in the area.
Pasture is a longtime and significant part of Iowa agriculture and is a critical component of the state's agricultural landscape. These events provide a hands-on learning experience where livestock producers can assess pasture health, exchange ideas, and discover innovative practices that enhance productivity and animal well-being. Northwest Iowa cow-calf and stocker operators are invited to a pasture walk on July 10 near Hospers.
Are you wondering how cover crops might fit into your cattle operation? Or whether cover crops can help with conservation efforts? Iowa State University extension beef specialist Denise Schwab said the Jackson County office of ISU Extension and Outreach is planning an event to provide information on those questions and more.
When it comes to choosing the right mineral package for your cows, one size does NOT fit all. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk said the decision begins with two factors: the stage of production and the current diet. With much of the Iowa cow herd now being turned out on pasture, be sure to compare components formulated for early spring, breeding season, or late summer as you consider overall packages.
The 2025 Update for Veterinarians program will take place on June 26 at the McNay Research Farm near Chariton. The annual Iowa State Extension program offers timely information and education for large and mixed animal veterinarians with a focus on beef cattle production, according to organizer Iowa State extension beef specialist Chris Clark.
Arguably the most common health nuisance on pasture, pinkeye, doesn't have an easy vaccine solution with consistent efficacy. In part, this is because pinkeye is complicated, involving multiple bacteria strains and risk factors. The solution? Prevention, prevention, and early intervention.
Time’s running out to treat biennial thistles with herbicide this spring. Meaghan Anderson, extension field agronomist with Iowa State University, said if you want to effectively use herbicide, you need to do so before the plants bolt.
April 2025
Temperatures are warmer, grass is greening up nicely, and yes, it's time for ticks. But are ticks on cattle a concern? Absolutely, said Iowa Beef Center program specialist Beth Reynolds, because of disease transmission opportunities.
Iowa State University extension livestock specialist Russ Euken is the recipient of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 2025 staff Outstanding Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award. He’s been with ISU Extension and Outreach for more than 40 years, serving with expertise, teamwork, and a focus on client needs.
March 2025
When Iowa State University extension economist Chad Hart spoke at the 2025 Feedlot Forum, USDA acreage numbers were the big story; specifically, the main question was about USDA’s estimate of the shift from soybeans to corn. Now as we approach planting, the main acreage question is whether farmers will shift even more from soybeans to corn than USDA anticipated.
Cattle producers looking for tools to add to their risk management plans might want to consider Livestock Risk Protection. Just as the name says, LRP is price protection for livestock, not insurance against death, sickness, or anything else. Zach Tindall, Vice-President of Commodities - Producers Livestock, said the downside risk protection offered by the program can be a beneficial addition, especially because it leaves the top side of the market open.
Feed costs and reproductive inefficiency are the two largest expenses in a beef cow enterprise. To help beef producers gear up for a successful breeding season, the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University, ISU Extension and Outreach Shelby County, and Farm Service Cooperative are partnering on a breeding season workshop focused on nutrition set for April 29 in west central Iowa.
Using an esophageal feeder is an integral part of raising cattle, yet many producers are not completely comfortable using them. A new publication from Iowa Beef Center, Proper Use of an Esophageal Feeder, provides step-by-step instructions on properly preparing, inserting, and removing the feeder tube.
Newborn calves are susceptible to various illnesses and injuries, and even the best calving seasons can be peppered with occasional health challenges. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Chris Clark said one such challenge is fracture of limbs.
The "Responsible Expansion of Iowa's Cow Herd" program, originally set for April 1 and 2 has been cancelled. Is now a good time to expand your beef cow herd? Have you been thinking about how to optimize your production to capitalize on this record-high market? The new Iowa Beef Center program, “Responsible Expansion of Iowa’s Cow Herd” might help provide answers to those questions.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Marshall County is hosting a pasture walk near Gilman on March 12 beginning at 1 p.m. Detailed instructions to the pasture will be provided when preregistering. This event is for anyone interested in learning more about pasture management and cattle grazing.
Increasing days on feed for feedlot cattle isn’t a new idea. However, several research studies in recent years have shown that as cattle get bigger a large percentage of their weight gain is in the form of carcass weight gain. Grant Crawford, associate director of cattle technical services at Merck Animal Health, said this concept, termed carcass transfer, allows cattle feeders the opportunity to extend days-on-feed and increase profitability on certain groups of cattle.
February 2025
Results from a recent study on how early nutrition can affect finished beef health, performance, and carcass quality in beef x dairy calves provided some clarity and some surprises for Iowa State University researchers. Iowa Beef Center research scientist Garland Dahlke said the study focused on short and longer-term effects of different diets in the first five months of life.
Those in the beef industry know calving management is critical to production and profitability of the cow herd. Knowing how to prepare, what to do and not do, and when to take action all are critical aspects of correctly managing calving in your herd. That’s why the Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach developed the online Calving Management Manual.
Weather related announcement: the BQA session rescheduled for Wed., Feb. 19, in Cascade has been moved to the Cascade Knights of Columbus Hall. Time is the same 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Please preregister by calling Cascade Livestock Auction at 563-852-3533.
All hay producers in the region are invited to attend the 40th annual Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association Annual Meeting and Conference on March 20 at Buzzy’s in Welton. This year’s program will feature two newer Iowa State University staff: Dr. Shelby Gruss, assistant professor in forage extension, and Madelynn Wuestenberg, agricultural climatology extension specialist.
Beef producers are invited to attend an Iowa State University Extension program to learn about estrus synchronization and artificial insemination. ISU extension beef specialist Chris Clark said this session will include basic information about estrus synchronization strategies and the use of artificial insemination of beef cows.
January 2025
Feedlot producers should plan to attend the 2025 Dairy Beef Short Course on March 25 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This year’s program features unique aspects of managing dairy-beef crossbreds such as implants, vaccinations, early calf nutrition, and feedlot economics. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Beth Doran said that while dairy-beef crossbreds differ from straight-bred beef cattle, they have some positive aspects.
Extension services from the University of Illinois, Iowa State University, and University of Wisconsin services are working together to offer the thirteenth annual Driftless Region Beef Conference Jan. 23-24, at the Grand River Convention Center in Dubuque. The aim of the conference is to provide educational sessions for beef producers.
The 2025 Iowa Forage and Grassland Council annual conference is set for Feb. 3 in Ames. The event will be held at Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd., just to the southwest of Jack Trice Stadium. After a number of years of drought conditions across the state, this year’s conference is focused on improving forage productivity and exploring alternative options that best meet your production goals.
News releases |2025|
