Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
2/18/04
Contacts:
Dennis DeWitt, Iowa State University Extension, (712) 336-3488, dewitt@iastate.edu
Rachel E. Martin, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-9124, remartin@iastate.edu
Cyclone Beef Days Coming to Spencer and Humboldt
AMES, Iowa - The Iowa Beef Center kicks off its 2004 'Cyclone Beef Days' schedule with a comprehensive agenda featuring everything from new ration software to new energy and implant strategies. These meetings will be held Wednesday, March 10, at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer, and Thursday, March 11, at the Izaak Walton Building in Humboldt's Oxbow Park.
"The Iowa Beef Center is pleased to offer this program to producers at no cost, due to the generous support of twenty local agri-businesses that value the importance of the Iowa beef industry," says Dennis DeWitt, Iowa State University Extension field specialist.
The agenda includes topics that affect all segments of the Iowa beef industry, and features notable presenters. Greg Wood will begin the meeting with an introduction to HerdWorks(R), a Pasture-to-Plate system for premium branded beef programs. DeWitt will introduce BRANDS (Beef Ration and Nutrition Decisions Software), new from the Iowa Beef Center. Dan Loy, also of ISU Extension, will discuss the potential for improved feed efficiency and lean gain from Optaflexx(TM), a new feed additive from Elanco. An Iowa Quality Beef Supply Co-op update will be presented by the co-op's CEO, Gene Rouse.
John Lawrence, ISU Extension economist, will give insights and outlooks on a potpourri of issues, including BSE, COOL, USAIP, EMS and markets, followed by an introduction to composting carcasses by DeWitt. The meeting will conclude with a review of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) by Brian Waddingham of the Iowa Beef Industry Council. The goal of BQA is to raise the competitive base for beef, thus enhancing products and maximizing profitability.
Producers are asked to pre-register by contacting the Dickinson County Extension Office, 1600 15th Street, Spirit Lake at (712) 336-3488 or by emailing DeWitt at dewitt@iastate.edu. More information and a printable brochure (with registration form) can be found at www.iowabeefcenter.org. The programs begin with registration at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. Lunch is not guaranteed, so early registration is recommended.
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