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Ag Decision Maker

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If you’re thinking about attending this year’s Feedlot Short Course, you’ll want to act soon. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk said a few spots remain in the July 29-31 event. With a registration limit of 30, all attendees are assured of personal interactions and hands-on opportunities with some familiar and new activities.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting a haying equipment demonstration field day on July 8 at the McNay Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm in Chariton. This event will feature several sessions, each showcasing different types of haying equipment, with demonstrations from industry representatives from south central Iowa. ISU extension beef specialist Chris Clark said there also will be an equipment trade show area where attendees can inspect the machinery and meet with industry representatives.

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.

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.

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.

 

 

News Archives

Columns

Denise Schwab in The Cattleman Magazine.

Denise Schwab, interim IBC director, writes this monthly column featured in Iowa Cattleman Magazine.

June 2025

June kicks off county fair and carcass contest season. The ICA Carcass Challenge results will be announced at their banquet on June 11, and county fairs kick off about mid-June. If your kids or grandkids are 4-H or FFA age, you know how important the county and state fair are, and how tiring it can be for the adults in their life!

Read the rest of this column.

Iowa Cow-Calf Commentary

Iowa Beef Center and extension cow-calf specialist Randie Culbertson writes the "Iowa Cow-Calf Commentary" featured in the Iowa Cattleman Magazine.

June 2025

As we start to feel the summer heat, it is a good time to consider how our cow herd handles it. Some breeds are more adapted to heat, such as Brahman, while others thrive in more moderate climates, such as our British and Continental breeds. Hair shedding is a trait of interest that has garnered a good deal of attention for heat tolerance. Seasonal hair shedding is a normal biological process for cattle. However, the retention of a winter coat during the spring and summer can indicate adaptation or health issues.

Read the rest of this column.