Livestock

Iowa dairy producers have the opportunity to learn about emerging dairy industry issues during 2020 Dairy Days events hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists. Dairy Days will be offered January 20 in Riceville, January 21 in Calmar, January  23 in Waverly, February 4 in Kalona and February 6 in Holy Cross

Fourteen 4-H & FFA members participated in the annual Advanced Cattle Feeder Class on Monday, June 10 at the Edgewood Livestock Commission in Edgewood.  Animals were weighed and ultrasound scanned, and the youth worked with ISU Extension and Outreach staff and feed industry representatives to calculate their total cost of production.  They used their actual feed fed with fixed costs for many feed ingredients, yardage, chute costs, feeder prices, and their actual costs for any additional costs.  The youth were then interviewed by a judge while the carcass results of their calves were calculated.  The judge placed the youth based on their knowledge and interview skills, their cost of production, calf performance, visual conformation of the cattle and market readiness.  A showcase was then held to exhibit their animals for the audience with the participants explaining the performance and costs for their project, and the judge sharing his comments and thoughts.