AMES, Iowa -- Iowa’s cattle producers as well as financiers, investors and industry professionals are invited to attend two-day workshops throughout Iowa featuring production, marketing and financial risk management.  The workshops are part of a 2006 series called “Cow-Calf Risk Strategies,” a year-long effort to educate cow-calf producers and to develop risk management solutions. The series is made possible by a grant from USDA-RMA (United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency).

“Cattle prices have been at record prices in 2003-2004, and the cost of investment in beef cows and stocker cattle has never been higher. However, the cyclical nature of cattle markets tells us that prices are expected to be lower in the future,” says John Lawrence, ISU Extension economist and director of the Iowa Beef Center (IBC).

“Additional factors, such as trade disputes and increasing demand for corn for ethanol production make cattle prices more volatile than normal,” adds Lawrence. “These workshops are designed to help producers prepare for these risks by understanding the risk management solutions available.”

Sponsors and supporters of the workshops include Livestock Plus and Cargill Animal Nutrition. Participants of the workshops will receive a coupon from Cargill Animal Nutrition for their Right Now ® Mineral products.

The Cow-Calf Risk Strategies workshops address production, marketing and financial challenges and strategies cost $50 for those who pre-register or $60 at the door. For more information or to register, contact your ISU Extension beef specialist or the Extension office in the corresponding county for the 15 workshop locations throughout Iowa.

Centerville
Jan. 11 and 25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Appanoose County Extension Office

Amana
Jan. 12 and 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ox Yoke Restaurant, Little Amana

Keosauqua/Bonaparte
Jan. 16 and 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bonaparte Opera House

Attica
Jan. 18 and 25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kin Folks Eatin' Place

Greenfield  
Jan. 19 and 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Adair County Extension Office

Lewis  
Jan. 19 and 26, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Wallace Learning Center

Denison
Jan. 23 and 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Crawford County Extension Office

Muscatine
Jan. 23 and 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Muscatine County Extension Office

Spencer
Jan. 24 and 31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Iowa Lakes Community College

Clarinda  
Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Page County Extension Office

Maquoketa  
Jan. 31 and Feb. 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hurtsville Nature Center

Elma
Feb. 6 and 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Hall

Union
Feb. 7 and 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
South Hardin Recreation Center

Postville
Feb. 20 and 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Turner Hall

Osceola
Feb. 21 and 28, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Eagles Club, Highway 69 North

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