Farm Progress

Pork, beef and dairy producers can learn the latest information.

December 1, 2017

4 Min Read
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: If you’re a hog, beef or dairy producer, check out the upcoming meetings offered by Extension and their partners.

Several important meetings for livestock producers are coming up in northeast and eastern Iowa, hosted by Iowa State University Extension, along with other sponsors. Here’s a sampling of some of the featured topics:

 New technologies pork producers can use to improve reproductive performance of sows will be presented Dec. 12 at Waverly.

 At the Driftless Region Beef Conference Jan. 25-26 in Dubuque, beef producers will learn about the various ways to use cover crops for soil conservation and water quality practice and as a feed for cattle.

 Dairy producers can attend any one of seven dairy meetings to be held at various locations in eastern Iowa from Jan. 15 to Feb. 1. A number of successful herd management strategies based on current research will be explained and discussed.

Dec. 12 Advanced Swine Reproductive Seminar
Pork producers who manage or own a sow herd will want to attend this seminar in northeast Iowa. Iowa State University Extension, the Iowa Pork Industry Center and the Iowa Pork Producers Association are sponsoring an advanced swine reproduction seminar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Waverly Civic Center, 200 First St. NE in Waverly. 

Keynote speaker is Kara Stewart, swine reproduction specialist at Purdue University. She’ll discuss new technologies coming to the farm to improve reproductive performance. She’ll share new research on colostrum management and provide hands-on learning with repro tracts to demonstrate post-cervical artificial insemination.

Jason Ross, Iowa Pork Industry Center director, will provide a research update on how gilt vulva evaluation can predict future productivity and will offer ideas to improve reproductive performance.

Mark Storlie, ISU Extension swine field specialist, will discuss industry benchmarking, parity distributions, gilt selection and sow culling to increase herd productivity.

Registration is $30 for the first attendee and $10 per person for each additional participant from the same operation. The fee will include lunch and materials; the meal will not be guaranteed for those not preregistered. Contact Mark Storlie at Fayette County Extension office at 563-425-3331 or [email protected] to register.

Jan. 25-26 Driftless Region Beef Conference
The Driftless Region Beef Conference will showcase the use of cover crops for feed by Midwest beef producers, says Denise Schwab, beef specialist with ISU Extension. The conference is at the Grand River Conference Center in Dubuque.

“Cover crops have great potential to reduce erosion, improve soil health and protect water quality,” Schwab notes. “They also have potential to produce high-quality cattle feed if managed correctly. Our conference will feature several speakers presenting information on the value of cover crops in our diverse Midwest farms.”

Jim Johnson from the Noble Research Institute will discuss how cover crops and cattle can improve soil health, and Morgan Hayes from the University of Kentucky will talk about how cover crops can be compatible with manure application. The evening bull pen session also will feature cover crops with a panel of producers sharing their experiences and challenges in using cover crops for feed.

Early registration fee is $85 per person and must be received before midnight Jan. 12. Price increases to $115 after that date.

The conference website has more information on topics, speakers, lodging and registration forms. Driftless Region Beef Conference is sponsored by ISU, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin Extensions. For more information or to receive a brochure, call Schwab at 319-472-4739 or email her at [email protected].

Jan. 15 to Feb. 1 Local Dairy Days
Iowa dairy producers have an opportunity to learn about emerging dairy industry issues at 2018 Dairy Days hosted by ISU Extension specialists. The program is scheduled at seven eastern Iowa locations between Jan. 15 and Feb. 1.

“The ISU Extension Dairy Team conducts this workshop to provide the latest research to Iowa’s dairy producers,” says Jennifer Bentley, ISU Extension dairy specialist. “Our goal is to help producers make sound herd management decisions backed by current and relevant information. This daylong program offers producers an opportunity to hear up-to-date information. They can also talk with our speakers for answers to their specific situations,” Bentley says.

Topics covered at 2018 Dairy Days will include: 

 Double-cropping small grain and sorghum forages on your dairy

 Alternative forages for dairy cows — what else is there besides corn silage and alfalfa?

 Transition cow success — managing pain, weight and milk

 Dairy system profit performance comparison in 2016

 It’s more than just checking the markets — powering up your smartphone for better farm management

 Research update — speed round

 Common feed additives for dairy cows — what are they and what do they do?

Dairy Days will be offered at seven Iowa locations: Jan. 15 in Riceville, Jan. 16 in Waukon, Jan. 17 in Waverly, Jan. 29 in Bloomfield, Jan. 33 in Kalona, and Jan. 31 in Ryan and Feb. 1 in Holy Cross. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m., and the program will conclude by 2:30 p.m. Contact your county ISU Extension office for more information.

A $15 registration fee covers lunch and proceedings. Preregistration is requested by the Friday before each event to reserve a meal. Vouchers for the event may be available at your local agri-service provider or veterinarian’s office. For more information, contact your local ISU Extension office or dairy specialist Jennifer Bentley at 563-382-2949 or Larry Tranel at 563-583-6496. Bentley’s email is [email protected].

Source: Iowa State University

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