Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
3/9/01
Contacts:
Russ Euken, Iowa Beef Center, (641) 923-2856, reuken@iastate.edu
Dale Thoreson, Iowa Beef Center, (319) 267-2707, dthores@iastate.edu
Wendy Miller, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-9124, wmiller@iastate.edu
Iowa Beef Center Meeting Emphasizes Environmental Stewardship
OSAGE, Iowa -- After several years of poor returns, the Iowa beef producing industry has seen a recent upswing. As product quality and demand climb, producers are increasingly considering feedlot expansion.
At the same time, however, state and national water quality regulations are becoming more stringent. "Pressure from citizen groups has prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to increase efforts to enforce regulations for open beef feedlots," said Russ Euken, livestock field specialist for the Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension. "Now, many producers are uncertain where they fit into the puzzle and how exactly to go about their daily routines."
The Iowa Beef Center, in cooperation with the Iowa Cattlemen's Association and the IDNR, is sponsoring three meetings in northeast and north central Iowa to address these issues. "The meetings will examine new methods for designing feedlot operations that may answer many questions Iowa beef producers face," Euken continued. "Additionally, feedlot operators can discuss regulations and feedlot design with specialists from ISU Extension and IDNR."
Meetings will be held from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22 at the Osage Municipal Utilities Building in Osage; from 7 until 9:30 p.m. Thursday evening, March 22 at the Clear Lake City Hall in Clear Lake; and from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, March 23 at the Grundy Community Center Legion Room in Grundy Center. There is no charge or pre-registration to attend these sessions.
Discussion topics are as follows:
* What's the Environmental Impact of Iowa Open Beef Feedlots
-- Jeff Lorimor, ISU
* Rules, Regulations, Site Visits and the Iowa Feedlot Plan
-- Wayne Gieselman, IDNR
* Iowa Cattlemen's Association Information -- ICA
representative
* Feedlot Design for Environmental Compliance -- Lorimor
* Feedlot Design for Animal Performance and Proposed CAFO
Rules -- Euken, Dale Thoreson, ISU Extension
For more information, contact Russ Euken at the Hancock County Extension office, (641) 923-2856, reuken@iastate.edu or Dale Thoreson, extension beef/dairy specialist at the Butler County Extension office, (319) 267-2707, dthores@iastate.edu.
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