The global beef market continues to indicate that consumers seek high-quality beef, and they’re willing to open their wallets to enjoy the experience.

Iowa’s rolling hills and abundant feed resources provide an advantage for producing high-quality beef and being able to grain-finish the end product. Cattle producers who want to learn more about how they can benefit are encouraged to attend the meeting “Feeding higher-quality cattle” June 7 in Oskaloosa.

“The market presence of the Iowa Premium Beef packing plant in Tama, plus renewed interest in value-based grid markets by other packers, has feedlot producers in eastern Iowa thinking a bit differently,” says Patrick Wall, Iowa State University Extension beef cattle specialist. “Some cattle feeders want to open up a new marketing avenue or create their own niche market, but they may have to change their breeding program or buying approach to do it successfully.”

Helpful information for producers

The June 7 event is designed to offer information for feedlot producers, whether they retain ownership or purchase calves, and for cow-calf producers who market feeder cattle. This meeting will focus on several avenues to capture Quality grade premiums while avoiding discounts.

The program will start with genetic selection strategies for bulls and females, as well as on-farm data collection that can enhance both heifer retention and success in a grid marketing system.

“We’ll also provide a summary of recent research on nutrition and management, plus offer tips for effective marketing of fed cattle in the upper Midwest,” Wall says. “The meeting will conclude with a presentation by Mike Hora, a cattle producer from Washington in southeast Iowa, who consistently sells loads of cattle that grade over 50% USDA Prime with few discounts.”

Attendance is free and includes a pre-meeting meal. Preregister by June 5, by calling the Mahaska County Extension office at 641-673-5841, or contacting Wall at [email protected] or 515-450-7665. Or see the flier for more event information.

Greenhorn Grazing series starts May 31

Livestock producers who want to learn about optimizing forage and livestock production while conserving natural resources are invited to attend the Greenhorn Grazing series at the Iowa State University McNay Research Farm near Chariton in south-central Iowa this summer and fall.

ISU Extension beef specialist Joe Sellers says the series has been a popular management course for producers over the years.

“This five-part series covers concepts relevant to all producers of grass-based livestock, with topics ranging from managing grass growth and plant diversity to watering alternatives, cost share programs and pasture leases, and optimizing winter grazing,” Sellers says. “There are no repeated topics, and each of the five sessions will be half classroom setting and half in the field, primarily in the McNay Farm pastures.”

Experts to lead discussions

Sellers and a variety of other experts from Iowa State, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Dow AgroScience, Premier 1 Supplies and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association will lead the discussions.

“The Greenhorn Grazing series was developed to deliver timely materials and hands-on learning for producers interested in improving their forage management system, including the financial aspect, on their farms,” Sellers says. “Producers will learn about improving productivity and be able to try their hand at pasture condition scoring and forage assessment.”

Individual workshops are May 31, June 14, July 12, Aug. 30 and Nov. 8 at the ISU McNay Research Farm, 45249 170th Ave., Chariton. These meetings begin at 4:30 p.m. and are expected to conclude at 9 p.m. See more information on the series flier.

Support from ISU Extension, Iowa Beef Center and ISU Extension of Lucas County helps keep the series cost low at $50. It is recommended to attend all sessions, but you can attend individual sessions for $15 each. The fee includes the meeting, meal and a resource guide.

Register by May 29 by calling Lucas County Extension office at 641-774-2016 or Sellers at 641-203-1270. Or email Sellers at [email protected]. Send your registration and fee to Lucas County Extension, 48293 Hy-Vee Rd, Chariton, IA 50049-1900.

Source: Iowa State University