Mother Nature has created a new environment for northwest Iowa feedlot producers. Torrential rains have turned once-dry feedlots to mud, and accompanying hail may have bruised cattle. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Beth Doran said it's important to have a strategy and plan in place to deal with the issues facing producers.

“Wet, muddy conditions reduce weight gain and can compromise cattle health, so the first thing to tackle is mud,” she said. “While not perfect or easy, there are some emergency strategies for dealing with mud.”

Here are some suggestions.

"Because hail can cause physical injury to cattle, be aware that marketing may need to be delayed if cattle were hailed upon," Doran said. "The extent of bruising depends on the size of the hail and how soon the cattle are marketed after experiencing hail."

Data from a Texas feedyard that experienced hail ranging from 1¾ to 3¾ inches in diameter indicates cattle sold within 15 days of being hailed upon had significant carcass bruising. However, by day 49 the bruising had returned to normal baseline levels.

For more information on dealing with post-storm issues, contact Doran at 712-737-4230 or email [email protected].