ISU Extension News:

Register Now for 2013 Iowa Grazing Conference

2013-05-20T15:07:41Z

CRESTON, Iowa — Those who use grazing in their livestock operations are encouraged to register now for the 2013 Iowa Grazing Conference, set for June 25-26 in Creston. Joe Sellers, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, has been involved with the conference for several years and said this year’s event has classroom and field experiences.

“The organizing committee has planned an extensive program, with topics ranging from forages to management and economics to grazing and wildlife,” Sellers said. “Breakout sessions also include cover crops and the environment, and we’ll have live animal and weed and brush control demo sessions as well.”

The conference will be held at the Southwestern Community College campus in Creston, and runs from 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, to noon on Wednesday, June 26. In addition to breakout sessions and a producer panel, the event also has a pasture walk and barbeque meal on the evening of June 25. Event sponsors are Iowa Forage and Grassland Council (IFGC), Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI), Iowa Beef Center, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Southwest Community College, North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education, Southern Iowa Forage and Livestock Committee and the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

“The conference speakers will provide useful and timely information from university and industry perspectives, and those who attend will have access to a wealth of knowledge at a great price,” Sellers said. “Members of IFGC or PFI can attend the two-day event for $40, and those who aren’t members will pay $50 when registered before June 24. Walk-in registration is $10 higher.”

The conference brochure with full agenda and registration information is available on the IBC website at http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/events/2013GrazingConferencebrochure.pdf.

For more information, contact Sellers by phone at 641-203-1270 or by email at sellers@iastate.edu.

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Registrations Rolling in for Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open

2013-05-13T10:31:31Z

AMES, Iowa — Golf registrations are coming in for the 2013 Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open, and Iowa State University animal science professor John Mabry reminded people of this year’s earlier date.

“The event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, and we hope this will allow more folks to join us,” Mabry said. “This is the day before Iowa State’s annual Iowa Swine Day in Ames, and the June temperature shouldn’t be as hot as some previous years.”

Cost of the golf tournament and golf associated activities is $85 per person ($340 per four-person team) and the registration deadline is June 12 or when the field of 32 teams is reached. The registration form is available on the Iowa Pork Industry Center website.

The 18-hole best ball tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. and includes lunch at the golf course. Following the tournament, players and others are invited to attend a reception and awards program. Winners of the Lauren Christian undergraduate and graduate scholarships for 2013 also will be honored during the program.

This annual event benefits the Lauren L. Christian Endowment, which provides financial support for outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, and continued swine and pork educational opportunities through Iowa State.

Those interested in also attending Iowa Swine Day can check out that event’s online schedule and registration information. This event’s early registration deadline is June 14.

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Iowa State University Seeks Livestock Producers’ Input for Ethanol Coproducts Survey

2013-04-30T10:32:05Z

AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University is conducting a nationwide survey of livestock producers’ use of feed-related coproducts from ethanol production.

“The feedback gained from the survey will be used to help improve coproduct quality, which can help livestock producers with their feed costs and livestock performance,” said Kurt Rosentrater, a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, who is leading the effort.

The survey is focused on the beef, dairy, swine and poultry sectors. It is being funded by a coalition consisting of the Renewable Fuels Association, the Distillers Grains Technology Council, and the Corn Utilization Councils from Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska.

Livestock producers are invited to take the survey online until June 19 at: http://humansciences.ethanolcoproducts.sgizmo.com/s3/

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Additional Contact:
Kurt Rosentrater, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, (515) 294-4019, karosent@iastate.edu

Cover Crop Pasture Walk Planned for Northeast Iowa

2013-04-29T15:08:04Z

VINTON, Iowa -- A pasture walk featuring cows grazing a cover crop of rye and hairy vetch, grass finishing and an introduction to a new bird friendly marketing opportunity will be Wednesday, May 22. The walk starts at 1 p.m. at the Dan Specht farm, located at 29742 Pleasant Ridge Road near Marquette.

“This farm is managed as a grassland ecosystem with fall calving Red Devon cows, and grass finishing of the calves,” said Denise Schwab, an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist. “The majority of the farm’s 675 acres are kept in perennial forages, permanent pasture or woodland; with annual crops grown on fewer than 10 acres.”

Wisconsin Extension agent Vance Haugen will explain grass-finished beef requirements, markets and genetics for grass fed beef, and use of annuals in a grazing system. Eric Klein from Hidden Stream Farm will talk about his markets and possible future needs for supplies in the new wave of food co-ops in the Twin Cities.

Schwab said an Audubon Society representative will speak about that organization’s upcoming “bird friendly” label for grass fed beef. Interested attendees will be able to take an evening grassland birding walk.

“Folks from Practical Farmers of Iowa and I will address grazing management issues as part of the program,” Schwab said. “They’re also providing a light lunch following the pasture walk.”

There’s no cost to attend and no preregistration is necessary.

Directions to the Specht farm
On county road B45 (Pleasant Ridge Road), from Marquette, go two miles west. From Monona, go east on West Iowa Street (this turns into B45) from the four-way stop for 10 miles. The farm is on the south side of the road, at the end of a quarter-mile lane. For more driving directions, call Dan at 563-516-1007.

The event is co-sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa Learning Farms and Practical Farmers of Iowa.

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Vaccination and Health Recommendations for Iowa Swine Shows

2013-05-07T21:15:44Z

AMES, Iowa — With the advent of county fair swine shows in Iowa just a few weeks from now, Iowa State University Extension swine veterinarian James McKean said there are specific steps that exhibitors and fair attendees can follow to decrease health risks for animals and people at these events.

“Exhibitors are strongly encouraged to vaccinate their show pigs for erysipelas, a common and rapid spreading illness in pigs. They should consult with their veterinarian about specific vaccines, follow the label dosage, observe the required withdrawal times for each vaccine and be sure to allow adequate time for the animals to develop immunity,” McKean said. “Also, they should consult with their vet about whether/which influenza vaccine should be considered at the same time.”

This recommendation is not new. At least four years ago, pre-exhibit vaccination with both erysipelas and influenza vaccines was strongly encouraged through Iowa State’s Iowa Pork Industry Center where McKean is associate director.

“With up to three weeks before full protection after a vaccination and a required three-week withdrawal period, these vaccinations need to be administered in a timely manner,” he said. “Collective action by exhibitors adds an effective tool in an exhibition’s biosecurity plan.”

Both erysipelas and influenza can spread rapidly in a group environment such as a swine barn at a fair, leading to major difficulties in providing good swine welfare. It also decreases marketing options for all swine at the exhibition. McKean said when in doubt, people should leave ill pigs at home and consult with their veterinarian about how to handle other animals that have been exposed to those pigs.

“Pigs that are off-feed, have a fever or generally appear unwell should not be brought to a show,” McKean said. “And likewise, people who’re feeling ill with influenza symptoms should not go in swine barns. Both people and pigs can bring influenza viruses to an exhibition.”

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Act Now to Decrease Impact of Vitamin A Deficiency in Cattle

2013-04-16T13:07:14Z

AMES, Iowa -- Effects of last year’s drought are evident at the Iowa State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in the form of an increasing number of calves with vitamin A deficiency, said Grant Dewell, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef veterinarian.

The 2012 drought and subsequent low quality hay supplies for winter feeding mean cows don’t have normal liver stores of vitamin A, and without supplementation cows will potentially be deficient in vitamin A. That can lead to a variety of calf health problems, Dewell said.

“Typically calves have been submitted with a history of being either still born or weak at birth. Some veterinarians have reported blindness, neurologic signs or diarrhea that can also be associated with vitamin A deficiency,” he said. “Severe vitamin A deficiency can result in abnormal bone development in fetal calves. Other calves may be born weak and fail to thrive. Additionally, poor immune function can lead to increased infectious disease incidence.”

Dewell recommended that cows receive supplemental Vitamin A either through oral supplementation or injection of vitamin A. Calves may benefit from an injection of vitamin A at birth and potentially a second dose in two to three weeks, especially if cows have not been supplemented.

For more information, see Dewell’s fact sheet on vitamin A deficiency posted on the Iowa Beef Center website, www.iowabeefcenter.org.

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Webster City Bass Farm Generating Interest in Iowa Aquaculture Hub

2013-04-12T11:24:38Z

A Webster City business, Iowa’s First, has taken a proactive approach to circumventing the economic losses in livestock production by moving into fish farming. Mark and Jeff Nelson are producing hybrid striped bass in their unused hog facility. With the assistance of ISU Extension and Outreach they hope to create an aquaculture hub in central Iowa.

Iowa Pork Industry Center Will Offer PQA Plus 2.0 Advisor Certification Sessions

2013-04-11T16:21:46Z

AMES, Iowa -- Veterinarians and others in Iowa’s pork industry have the opportunity to become Pork Quality Assurance Plus® 2.0 Advisors under the National Pork Board's PQA Plus® 2.0 program, which will be launched at the World Pork Expo in June.

The initial certification process requires attendance at a daylong training session and passing an exam at the conclusion of that session. Those who currently are certified PQA Plus Advisors have until Aug. 31, 2013 to renew that certification under the new program during a half-day session.

To meet this industry need, Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University will offer both initial and recertification training sessions beginning in late May, led by faculty members who are certified PQA Plus 2.0 trainers.

James McKean, IPIC associate director and ISU Extension swine veterinarian, and Tom Baas, animal science professor, are coordinating this training schedule. Each session has a 15-person minimum and a 30-person maximum, with a deadline two weeks prior to the specific session date or when filled. No walk-ins are allowed for any of the sessions and individual spots for all sessions are not guaranteed until specific payment is accepted by IPIC. Initial certification is $75 per person and recertification is $50 per person.

“Those who wish to become certified for the first time should complete and submit the application form for the May 29 date soon to enable adequate time for evaluation of the application,” he said. “Those wanting to recertify also need to keep their specific session deadline in mind when submitting those registration forms and payment.”

McKean said those who qualify and are interested in the program should download, complete and submit the appropriate form for the desired session date. Recertification registration forms also need to be accompanied with payment. The schedule list and links to the forms are available on the IPIC website at http://www.ipic.iastate.edu/. This page also will provide attendance availability for each session, and will list additional sessions scheduled as needed.

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Tama Bull Selection Clinic Provides Useful Information

2013-04-09T16:26:07Z

TAMA, Iowa -- Understanding and using some simple tools can help cattle producers make the right selection for new herd bulls. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Denise Schwab said that’s why a bull selection clinic is scheduled prior to the bull sale held by Iowa Cattlemen’s Association at the Tama Livestock Auction, Tama on Friday, May 3. There’s no cost to attend and no preregistration is necessary.

“Sorting through performance measures and expected progeny differences doesn’t have to be a chore or a mystery,” Schwab said. “Iowa Beef Center staff members from Iowa State have scheduled the two-hour clinic so attendees can go to the bull sale immediately following the session and use the information from the clinic.”

The clinic starts at 4 p.m. with the sale beginning at 6 p.m. Heifers will sell first, followed by bulls.

The sale will feature bulls that have been through ICA’s Bull Evaluation Program, according to ICA seedstock manager Kellie Carolan. She said bulls that go through this 112-day test are evaluated for growth, carcass traits, yearling weight, disposition and scrotal circumference, and are some of the breed’s best pedigrees for calving ease, performance and carcass merit.

Schwab said Iowa Beef Center staff, including new extension cow-calf specialist Patrick Gunn, will break down the process of bull selection into simple steps and assist those attending with interpreting the EPD numbers in the catalog.

“We can help you evaluate your cow herd and determine the economically relevant traits that you want to emphasize,” Schwab said. “With that information, you can use the index EPDs and visually appraise the bulls to identify some options that will help you get the most benefit from your cow herd.”

To learn more about ICA’s Bull & Heifer Program, including a listing of bulls that will be offered at the sale on May 3, go to www.iacattlemen.org/bullheifer.aspx.

For more information on the bull clinic, contact an Iowa State beef specialist at www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/beef.

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New Spreadsheet Helps Producers Make Better Decisions

2013-04-09T11:24:55Z

AMES, Iowa -- A new spreadsheet that can help pork producers and seedstock suppliers make better decisions is now available from the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University. Professor of animal science Ken Stalder developed the free tool along with animal science graduate student Caitlyn Abell.

“This spreadsheet can be used to estimate the total costs associated with genome-enabled selection,” he said. “Producers also can see how much improvement in a weaned pig will be necessary to breakeven on the costs associated with genome-enabled selection.”

People are invited to register for a free download of the program on the IPIC website.

Stalder, who also is an Iowa State Extension and Outreach swine specialist, said producers can use the spreadsheet to determine whether they think investing in animals that have been selected based on genomic methods is an economically viable option. Seedstock suppliers can use the tool when making breeding program decisions.

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