With the fall run in full swing, cattle producers want to make sure their spring-born calves have a good start in the feedyard. Cattle Feeders Day, a new program offered by Iowa Beef Center, is designed to help cattle feeders and stakeholders prioritize herd health and ease stress on individual animals.

Cattle Feeders Day is set for Dec. 10, 2024, at the Iowa State University Armstrong Research Farm/Wallace Learning Center in Lewis, Iowa. The morning program begins at 9 a.m. and concludes with a noon lunch and discussion with speakers. An optional afternoon Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training will run from 1 to 3 p.m.

Iowa State University extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, a program organizer, will be joined by Iowa Beef Center research scientist Dr. Garland Dahlke and Dr. Terry Engelken with the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic & 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.”

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The rest of the day will be spent in the classroom, where the three presenters will share information on topics that include health considerations in the feedlot and a recently completed research project evaluating nutritional impacts on beef-on-dairy steers.

“Both the morning and afternoon sessions are free, and producers can attend either or both,” Lundy-Woolfolk said. “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 Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

While there's no cost to producers to attend either session, preregistration by Dec. 3 is required by either completing the online form or contacting Iowa Beef Center by email at [email protected] or by phone at 515-294-2333.

The Iowa Beef Center was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the Iowa beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from Iowa State University and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry.