AMES, Iowa - - These days, it takes a strong stomach and an iron will to be a cattle producer. The cyclical nature of the cattle market, high prices, high investment costs and other numerous factors that cause volatility (such as trade disputes and unstable corn prices) create risks in the cattle market. Producers must be prepared for these risks by understanding the risk management solutions available.

As a result, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced earlier this month that the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University (ISU) is the recipient of a 2006 grant to create Cow-Calf Risk Strategies, a program to work with producers to develop risk management solutions.

According to Mike Johanns, USDA secretary, “The Bush Administration is committed to providing farmers and ranchers the best and most reliable risk management tools available.” The grant to the Iowa Beef Center is just one part of more than $25 million in 2006 partnership agreements throughout the country.

“In order to meet the education needs of the producers in our region, we will develop and launch a comprehensive risk management education program that integrates production, financial and marketing principles into a sustainable resource management training for forage-based beef producers,” said John Lawrence, ISU Extension economist and director of the Iowa Beef Center (IBC).

Producers who attend one or more of the Cow-Calf Risk Strategies series will acquire skills to more effectively manage production, financial and marketing risks while using existing tools to develop appropriate solutions for their operations.

The Cow-Calf Risk Strategies series will commence in January and will run throughout the year with comprehensive workshops, a correspondence course, a webcast, presentations, a website and articles in regional publications.

For more information and to check for event and schedule updates, visit the Cow-Calf Risk Strategies page at the Iowa Beef Center website. Also see the USDA website for more information about the 2006 USDA-RMA Grants and Partnership Agreements. 

Since 1996, the Iowa Beef Center has supported the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. Part of Iowa State University Extension, the Iowa Beef Center is the central access point for ISU programs and research related to the beef industry.  For more information, visit the website at www.iowabeefcenter.org or call (515) 294-BEEF.

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