The 2018 Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference will address economics and alternative management techniques

The premier educational event in Iowa for cow-calf producers is offering comprehensive information to attendees on Jan. 27. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Patrick Wall said the popular Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference has provided timely, accurate and important information to the state’s beef cattle industry for more than 40 years.

“Producers and beef industry professionals from across the country will lead sessions that offer attendees valuable information to put into practice on their farms,” he said. “The program targets three main areas of concern to farmers following the widespread drought in southeast Iowa during 2017: economics, management alternatives and genetic selection.”

Aaron Berger will address cow depreciation expense following herd reduction or liquidation, and Jamey Kohake will cover the cattle market outlook as well as risk management strategies for 2018. Mahdi Saatchi will break down the new “BOLT” system of calculating EPDs and how it will differ from previous versions of genetic evaluation.

Breakout session speakers will provide insight in their respective areas of expertise in management alternatives and genetic selection.

Since significantly more corn acreage was harvested for silage, Stuart Norman will describe how inoculants and proper storage can impact silage quality and feed value. Iowa producer Dave Lubben will share his experiences with management intensive grazing and getting more out of every acre. Brian Price from OnSight 24-7 is set to demonstrate camera systems for calving barns and farms. Finally, Wall will offer on-site BQA Certification and an enrollment/informational opportunity in the Iowa Cowmaker Elite heifer development program, also known as ICE.

Doors open for this year’s conference and trade show at 8 a.m. The official welcome is at 9 a.m., followed by three general sessions, lunch and exhibit viewing. The afternoon consists of two repeating break-out sessions with four choices. Again, admission is free, and includes a copy of the show guide. No preregistration is necessary, but Pat Wall encourages people to get to the event early.

“The first 600 people to enter the door will receive a free lunch,” he said. “See the conference website for all the details of the conference agenda, or download and print the easy-to-read and save brochure from the Iowa Beef Center website at www.iowabeefcenter.org.”