Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
11/10/00
Contacts:
Dennis DeWitt, Livestock Field Specialist, (712) 336-3488,
dewitt@iastate.edu
Wendy Miller, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-BEEF, wmiller@iastate.edu
Northwest Iowa Beef Heifer Development Program Accepting Entries
AMES, Iowa -- The Northwest Iowa Beef Heifer Development Board, in cooperation with Iowa State University Extension, the Iowa Beef Center and local agribusinesses, is still accepting entries into the fourth Northwest Iowa Replacement Beef Heifer Development Program.
The program, which began in 1997, gives cow/calf producers the opportunity to develop excellent replacement heifers while freeing up precious on-farm resources that otherwise would have been used for those animals.
"By entering heifers into this program, producers are realizing many benefits," said Dennis DeWitt, ISU extension livestock field specialist. "It reduces the number of animals producers must manage during the winter, eliminates the need for 'heifer bulls,' increases the value of breeding stock, helps producers discover the real costs of replacement heifer development, improves heifer temperment and qualifies them for the Iowa Certified Beef Female Program."
Heifers entered into the program will be housed near Rossie, Iowa from December until July, but producers have the option to leave bred heifers at the development site until late fall. The Northwest Iowa Beef Heifer Development Board, extension livestock specialists and veterinarians have developed feeding and health care practices, sire selection criteria and heifer measurements. Animals enrolled in the program will reach target weights for satisfactory breeding and calving performance, and will be bred to select bulls that sire calves with low to moderate birth weights and above average yearling growth rates.
"The goal of this program is to give northwest Iowa beef producers access to superior bulls with high accuracy EPDs," DeWitt continued. "This is also an alternative to each cow/calf producer raising replacements at their own farms, and it frees up feed, water, lots and shelter for the balance of their beef herd."
Producers interested in participating in the program should contact Dennis DeWitt at (712) 336-3488 as soon as possible.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.