Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
12/18/00
Contacts:
Byron Leu, Iowa Beef Center, (641) 472-4166, bleu@iastate.edu
Wendy Miller, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-BEEF, wmiller@iastate.edu
Breeding Management Seminar Features Industry Experts
AMES, Iowa -- Cow Herd Improvement Program Services (CHIPS), in conjunction with the Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University, will sponsor an innovative breeding management seminar designed to update Iowa's seedstock and commercial producers on an array of important industry topics.
The program, slated from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 20, 2001, features four keynote speakers who are experts in the breeding management field.
Patsy Houghton, president and general manager of the Heartland Cattle Company of McCook, Neb., will present, "Professional Heifer Development: Been There - Done That...But Is It Worth It?" to demonstrate the potential impacts of heifer development programs on producer operations. By using historical data collected through her program, Houghton will show the economic implications related to heifer development and help producers understand the importance of precise management practices.
Bill Beal, professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences at Virginia Tech University, will deliver an update on the various estrous synchronization programs used in the industry. Beal's research involves several aspects of applied reproductive physiology in beef cattle; currently, he is focusing on estrous synchronization methods and embryo transfer techniques.
Leo Timms, ISU Extension dairy specialist, will present, "Heat Detection: Tools and Rules," to provide both beef and dairy producers information regarding heat detection systems as well as factors that impact the success (or failure) of heat detection and hormonal management programs. Additionally, he will review several of the heat detection systems available today, including the HeatWatch(tm) System.
Daryl Strohbehn and Mark Dikeman, both of the Iowa Beef Center and the Animal Science department of ISU, will demonstrate an electronic breeding management calendar. By entering various data into the software; such as the selected breeding system, desired calving time and input costs; producers can receive a step-by-step breeding timeline instantly.
In order to reach as many producers as possible, this workshop will be offered at 14 ICN sites across the state. Those sites are as follows:
Algona - Community College
Chariton - National Guard
Clarinda - High School
Clear Lake - High School
Cresco - High School
Creston - High School
Earlham - High School
Maquoketa - High School
Milford/Okoboji - High School
Ottumwa - Community College 6
Remsen-Union - High School
Tama - High School
Westside /AR-WE-VA - High School
The program origination site will be the Brenton Center, Curtiss Hall, Iowa State University (ISU-6).
For more information, contact your local CHIPS technician or Byron Leu, ISU Livestock Field Specialist at (641) 472-4166.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.