In an effort to provide continuing education to Iowa's beef producers, the Iowa Cattlemen's Association will hold three educational forums in January 2016 at various locations around the state.

WHAT'S AHEAD IN 2016? The Iowa Cattlemen's Association strives to provide each segment of the cattle industry the latest information on critical topics of importance to Iowa's beef producers. ICA is holding three educational meetings in January.

The first event will be held at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar on January 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This cow-calf forum will prepare producers for the upcoming year. The program will offer an overview of sire selection as well as a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training. Participants will also have the chance to ask a panel of local veterinarians and nutritionists questions regarding the new Veterinary Feed Directive. The event is free and includes lunch. Contact ICA at 515-296-2266 to RSVP.

Sustainability, profitability, competitiveness and defending ag
The second event will be held on January 19 in northwest Iowa. ICA will partner with the Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension to offer a Feedlot Forum in Sioux Center at the Terrace View Event Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. This event will focus on defending agriculture, sustainability, competitiveness, antimicrobial usage and profitability. The cost to attend is $25 and $10 for students. Registrations are due Jan. 12 to the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Sioux County.

The third event, another feedlot forum, held in Carroll at the Carrollton Inn on January 20, will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This meeting will offer a market outlook and discussion on the quickly approaching Veterinary Feed Directive. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to area producers share their environmental compliance stories and learn from state officials about the state's response plan during a Foreign Animal Disease outbreak. This feedlot forum event at Carroll is free and includes lunch. Call the ICA office at 515-296-2266 to RSVP.

ICA will also hold pasture walks and other educational events around the state later this year. ICA strives to provide each segment of the cattle industry the latest information on critical topics of importance to Iowa's beef producers.

Bringing next generation back to the farm January 21
The Iowa Cattlemen's Association along with a number of other groups is helping sponsor the 11^th annual Farming for the Future Conference January 21 from 10 a.m. at the Quality Inn and Suites in Ames. The host organization for the conference is the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers (CSIF).

This year's conference, themed "Bringing the Next Generation Back to the Farm," has a dynamic line-up of speakers who will help new and beginning livestock farmers understand the financial programs available to them, provide tips on securing the right lender, provide insight on how to develop a business plan and build an advisory team, and provide considerations for transitioning back to the family farm.

Attendance is free if you preregister by January 15
"The coalition received a record number of inquiries from livestock farmers over the past year, many from young people wanting to get into farming, but weren't sure what opportunity was right for them or how to secure financing to make their dream of farming a reality," says Brian Waddingham, executive director of CSIF. "This year's Farming for the Future Conference will provide insight to help Iowa's new and beginning livestock farmers understand the programs that are available to them and how to succeed in the long-run."

 Registration, including a complimentary lunch, is free if completed by January 15. A $20.00 fee will be charged for registrations after January 15. For information about the conference and to register you need to visit supportfarmers.com/conference or call 800-932-2436. Space is limited.