2014 Feedlot Forum Jan. 21 in Sioux Center, Iowa
Source: Iowa State University Extension
Cattle feeders and agri-business professionals are invited to the Feedlot Forum 2014, a day-long program Jan. 21 at Terrace View Event Center in Sioux Center, Iowa. The 9:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. forum features educational components on timely issues affecting northwest Iowa feedlot producers and includes a trade show displaying new products in animal health, beef nutrition and facilities.
"This year’s forum focuses on current feedlot issues key to every Iowa feedlot – environmental regulations, cattle lameness and marketing," said Beth Doran, beef program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Ken Hessenius, supervisor for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Field Office 3, will discuss small, medium and large CAFO inspections. The IDNR will be operating under a revised protocol that may include a desktop assessment or a combination of a desktop assessment and on-site feedlot inspection. Ken will share what is involved in an inspection and how a producer might prepare for it.
Rick Stowell, associate professor of Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will focus his presentation on air quality regulations for beef feedlots. Currently, large permitted feedlots are required to report air emissions for ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. However, there has been much discussion about regulating dust in agriculture. Rick will focus on current rules and what might be emerging.
Jan Shearer, professor of Veterinary Diagnostic of Production Animal Medicine at Iowa State University, will visit about hairy heel wart, a common and painful wart-like growth on the feet of cattle that causes lameness. It is estimated to affect 40 percent of the dairy herds in the Midwest and is becoming more common in feedlot cattle. Shearer will discuss cause, treatment and prevention.
Matt Deppe, executive director for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, will present an update on association activities and issues relevant to Iowa cattle producers. Ed Greiman, president of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, will visit about a national cash market study and how formula grids may affect market price for finished cattle. His presentation is in response to a current trend for more feedlot cattle to be sold on a grid formula, which reduces the number of cattle sold on the spot market. Yet, the base price for the grid formula is determined by cattle sold on the spot market. Other factors, such as the shortage of feeder cattle, competition for grain and the general economy, may likely pressure cattle feeding profits. Andrew Gottschalk, Sr. Vice President of RJ O’Brien and Associates, will close the forum with a discussion on market situation and outlook for both cattle and grains.
Registration of $25 per person is due at the Sioux County Extension office by Jan. 15. Registration brochures will be mailed in December, or contact the Sioux County Extension office for a flier. For more information, contact Beth Doran at 712-737-4230 or doranb@iastate.edu.
