The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is holding educational events for cattle producers around the state in January. Two free seminars for any cow-calf producer who would like to attend will be held in northeast Iowa. And two feedlot forums, educational events for feedlot operators, will be held in northwest and western Iowa.

Two free seminars for cow-calf producers in northeast Iowa will be held on Jan. 19. The speakers at this year’s cow-calf forums will focus on herd  including strategic deworming and vaccinations. The events will also include a question and answer session with area veterinarians.

Cow-calf producer meetings will focus on herd health issues
“Anytime you can improve the health of your cattle, you’re also going to improve your profits,” says Eric Smith, who serves on the ICA board of directors, representing Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette and Clayton counties in northeast Iowa. “We’re excited to host this event for the second year in a row, and hope that it brings a lot of value to our area cattle producers.”

Any cattle producers or dairy producers are welcome to attend the events, which are free of charge and include a meal. Producers need not be members of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to attend:
• Oelwein Cow-Calf Forum: Jan. 19, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Generations (above Leo's Italian Restaurant) 29 South Frederick, Oelwein. RSVP by Jan. 13 to 515-296-2266 or [email protected].
• Rossville Cow-Calf Forum: Jan. 19, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Old Rossville Store, 851 Volney Road, Rossville. RSVP by Jan. 13 to 515-296-2266 or [email protected].

Feedlot Forums, which are educational events for beef cattle feedlot operators, will be held in Sioux Center and Carroll in western Iowa the same week as the cow-calf producer forums in northeast Iowa.

Feedlot beef producer meetings will also cover timely topics
The Feedlot Forums will both cover topics important to Iowa’s cattlemen and women. “We’ve heard concerns about the markets from feedlot operators over the past several months, so we will be sure to cover risk management strategies at both events,” says Merle Witt, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association western Iowa membership coordinator. “We’ll also talk about rule changes that affect cattle producers, like the Veterinary Feed Directive and changes to manure management rules, and give an update on the Iowa beef checkoff, which will be reinstated in March.”

The first Feedlot Forum, held in partnership with ISU Extension, will take place on Jan. 17 in Sioux Center. Topics covered include the veterinary feed directive, feedlot assessments, market volatility, market prices and industry updates.

Register ahead to reserve your spot at these meetings
Registration for the Sioux Center Feedlot Forum is $25 per person, with a special reduced rate of $10 for students. Registration includes a steak dinner and $10 beef certificate. Register at the ISU Extension office in Sioux County office now. For more information, call that office at 712-737-4230.

On Jan. 18, another Feedlot Forum will be held in Carroll at the Carrollton Inn from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Topics there will also be timely and important to the future success of Iowa’s feedlot producers. Market volatility, prices, changes to DNR manure rules, and the Iowa beef checkoff will all be discussed. The Carroll event is free of charge and includes lunch. RSVP now by calling 515-296-2266 or send an email to [email protected].

More such events will be held in eastern Iowa in early spring
ICA will also host three Feedlot Forums in eastern Iowa in March, as well as regional Beef meets in LeMars, Creston, Ottumwa and Dubuque in June. Pasture walks and grazing seminars are also planned. These events are all part of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association’s mission to grow Iowa’s beef business through advocacy, leadership and education.