With the fall run in full swing, cattle producers want to make sure their spring-born calves have a good start in the feedyard. A new program offered by Iowa Beef Center will help cattle feeders and stakeholders prioritize herd health and ease stress on individual animals. Cattle Feeders Day is set for December 10 at the ISU Armstrong Research Farm/Wallace Learning Center, 53020 Hitchcock Ave., Lewis. The morning program begins at 9 a.m. and concludes with a noon lunch and discussion with speakers. An optional Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training will run from 1 to 3 p.m.
Iowa State University extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk is a program organizer and will be joined by Iowa Beef Center research scientist Dr. Garland Dahlke and Dr. Terry Engelken with ISU Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine in presenting outdoor hands-on activities and indoor classroom segments.
“We’ll kick off the day with an interactive demonstration in the feedyard at the farm led by Dr. Engelken,” Lundy-Woolfolk said. “This will focus on proper handling and administration of common animal health products, and understanding the implications these products can have on carcass quality.”
The rest of the day will be spent in the classroom where all three presenters will share information on topics including health considerations in the feedlot and a recently completed research project evaluating nutritional impacts on beef on dairy steers.
“We’re also offering a Beef Quality Assurance certification workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. at the farm,” Lundy-Woolfolk said. “Both the morning and afternoon sessions are free, and producers can attend either or both. We do require preregistration to ensure adequate supplies and materials.”
The Iowa BQA program is funded by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Beef Checkoff, and the education is delivered as a joint effort in conjunction with the Iowa Beef Center and ISU Extension and Outreach.
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