With narrowing margins in the beef cow industry, winter feeding management is more important than ever. Controlling feed cost while meeting all of the cow’s nutrient requirements requires knowledge of both the feed supply and the animal’s requirements.
To help producers understand those important aspects, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist Denise Schwab has scheduled two separate workshops in northeast Iowa on Feb. 14. The content for both will be the same with emphasis on providing information for participants and helping them create plans that work for their herds.
"I plan to give an overview of feeding basics and cost controls, and Dr. Garland Dahlke of the Iowa Beef Center will demonstrate the application of those concepts using the newly updated ISU BRaNDS computer program," Schwab said. "Participants will have the opportunity to develop their own cow wintering rations using that software and the computer lab. Also, Iowa State animal science professor Dr. Stephanie Hansen will talk about the importance and interactions of mineral nutrition for the beef cow."
The first session is set for the Iowa Dairy Center in Calmar and will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The second session begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Heartland Acres Event Center in Independence. Fee is $15 per person regardless of location, and payable at the door. Registration for both sessions is due Feb. 12 by calling the Benton County Extension Office at 319-472-4739. Please indicate which location you will attend when you register.
