Beef producers interested in learning more about fescue management and comparing fall versus spring calving should plan to attend one of two upcoming beef management update sessions in southern Iowa. Iowa State University Extension beef cattle specialist Joe Sellers says the sessions, set for May 20 and May 21 (at 7 p.m. both days) will feature animal science professor and beef cow specialist Ken Coffey from the University of Arkansas.

BEEF PRODUCER UPDATES: Ken Coffey, beef cow specialist from University of Arkansas, will be a featured speaker at the annual veterinarian update at ISU's McNay Research Farm at Chariton in southern Iowa on May 21. In addition, update meetings for cow-calf producers will be held May 20 and May 21.

"Dr. Coffey already will be in the area as a presenter for the annual veterinarian update at the McNay farm near Chariton during the day on May 21. So we're pleased to be able to offer producers these two opportunities to hear from him in the evening meetings on grazing and calving," Sellers says. "Cost is just $10 payable at the door, so we hope many cattle producers will be able to attend."

Update on pasture and grazing management topics
On May 20, the beef producer update will be held at the Afton Community Center on the west side of the town square. On May 21, the location is the Rathbun Regional Water Association Headquarters, 16166 Highway J29. Start time is 7 p.m. for both programs.

"Ken Coffey will offer an update on fescue management, as well as using other pastures during breeding season," Sellers says. "He'll also present information on comparing fall and spring calving, and I will talk about supplementation strategies for grazing cattle."

The update program flyer is available on the Iowa Beef Center website. For more information, contact Sellers by phone at 641-203-1270 or by email at [email protected]. 

Annual update for veterinarians is May 21
The annual "Update for Veterinarians" program by Iowa State University's Iowa Beef Center features a full day of education and demonstrations focused on beef cattle. ISU Extension beef specialist Joe Sellers is organizing the program and invites practitioners who work with cattle to make plans now to attend the May 21 event at the ISU McNay Research Farm near Chariton.

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"In addition to six speakers from Iowa State, we're pleased to have Ken Coffey from the University of Arkansas with us," Sellers says. "This program is an opportunity for our veterinary colleagues to get in-depth information on fescue and grazing issues, as well as specific animal health concerns. Also, the program has been approved for five hours of continuing education credits."

Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the McNay headquarters with the first speaker starting at 9:15 a.m. The group will then travel to the beef facilities for two sets of breakout sessions. Three more presentation sessions will follow lunch at the farm headquarters, with the program ending about 3:30 p.m.

Those who preregister by May 15 will pay $50 per person, which includes the noon meal. Those who preregister after May 15 and those who register onsite will pay $70. All registrations are done through the Lucas County Extension Office in Chariton. A brochure with registration form is available on the IBC website. For more information contact Sellers by phone at 641-203-1270 or by email at [email protected].

Speakers and their topics in presentation order are:
1) University of Arkansas animal science professor Ken Coffey: Managing fescue

2) ISU Extension beef veterinarian Grant Dewell, senior clinicians Steve Ensley and Patrick Phillips, and veterinary diagnostician Doug Snider: Live animal demos -- Trichomoniasis sampling, BSE examinations, liver biopsy sampling for mineral troubleshooting

3) ISU Extension cow-calf specialist Patrick Gunn and beef program specialist Joe Sellers: Heifer development, mapping the genome on the ISU Angus herd, issues with ergot alkaloids in 2013

4) Ensley and Snider: What do we do with liver biopsy results? Responding to mineral deficiencies

5) Dewell and Phillips: Trichomoniasis testing and monitoring

6) Coffey: Comparing fall and spring calving on fescue-based pastures

The Iowa Beef Center at ISU was established in 1996 with a goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state's beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from ISU Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine. It works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding beef cattle. For more information about IBC, visit its website.