ORANGE CITY, Iowa – It’s been a few months since the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service began the Cattle Contracts Library pilot program, and the agency is looking for feedback. Beef feedlot producers are invited to attend a listening session either in person or virtually.
The Cattle Contracts Library is a pilot program designed to increase market transparency for cattle producers, according to Beth Doran, beef specialist with Iowa
State University Extension and Outreach. During each listening session, AMS will present an overview of the current pilot followed by an opportunity for participants to share their feedback on the usage and value of the Cattle Contracts Library.
The two closest locations for Iowa producers are June 14 at the Iowa State University Wallace Foundation Learning and Outreach Center, located at 53020 Hitchcock Ave., Lewis and June 16 at the USDA Cattle and Carcass Training Center, located on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Loeffel Meat Science Laboratory, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Both sessions begin promptly at 1 p.m. CDT and there is no charge to attend. However, seating is limited to 50 at the Lewis location and 100 at the Lincoln location. Register in advance for virtual attendance via Zoom at both locations: June 14, Lewis, Iowa, and June 16, Lincoln, Nebraska. After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email with additional instructions.
Both sessions will be broadcast live, and virtual attendees may submit questions through Zoom. Each session will be recorded and those recordings will be posted on the USDA-AMS website. See information about future listening sessions and history of the pilot program on the same website.
***
The Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit www.iowabeefcenter.org.
Shareable photo: Beef cattle on pasture.
