Iowa Beef Center

Presenters at next month’s seedstock conference, “Applying Old Rules to New Technology Production,” will be covering two topics that are sure to help breeders take their business into the future.

Dr. Jonathan Beever from the University of Illinois will be presenting on genetic defects.

“Dr. Beever is the leading geneticist in the United States on genetic defects and has developed several DNA diagnostics currently available for testing and managing breeding stock for exactly these types of problems,” Strohbehn said. “This is a session our bull breeders should not miss if they are serious about being a producer with the highest integrity.”

To learn more about this topic and Dr. Beever’s presentation, click here.

Both Dr. Jim Reecy of Iowa State University and Dr. Darrh Bullock of the University of Kentucky will present information on beef cattle genomics and their incorporation into genetic predictions and selection programs.

Reecy has been at the forefront of the discovery and development of gene markers, which relates to various production traits in beef cattle. Bullock has been on the other side of the genetic equation, which is relating how to best utilize these informational tools in advancing bull breeding programs.

To learn more about gene marker technology, go here. Additional information on the seedstock conference, including a registration form, can be found here.

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The Iowa Beef Center winter meeting series, “Feedlot Forum 2010,” is being brought to a location near you, with Iowa State University Extension staff presenting production and financial information to help feedlot producers tackle current issues.

Although the specific agenda will vary by location, several ISU Extension staff members will be presenting at each location. Among these presenters are Dr. Dan Loy, ISU Extension beef specialist, who will discuss feed management, and Dr. Grant Dewell, ISU Extension veterinarian, who will present on keeping compromised cattle out of the market place and cattle health. Dr. John Lawrence, Iowa Beef Center director and Extension livestock economist, will be available via voice-over PowerPoint with a presentation on market outlook for 2010 and Brian Waddingham from the Iowa Beef Industry Council will discuss their Feedlot Animal Welfare Assessment tool. Area beef program specialists will visit about management and performance of cattle in hoop and mono-slope barns.

To learn more about the meeting series, including a listing of the locations where the meetings will be held and registration information, go here. The meeting series brochure is also available, which includes a registration form.

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A complete agenda and registration form are now available for the upcoming December seedstock conference, “Applying Old Rules to New Technology Production.” To learn more about the conference, click here.  

Conference Agenda

11:30 am-12:30 pm: Registration, View Displays

12:30-2:30 pm: Session One

“The New Era of Higher Prices and Higher Costs: Do the Old Beef Production Rules Apply?”�
John Lawrence, Iowa State University

“New Technologies in Genomics, Their Capability and What We’ve Learned So Far”
Jim Reecy, Iowa State University

“I’m Itching to Use Gene Markers: With the Current Technology, Can An Operation Play by the Old Rules?”
Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky

2:30-3 pm: Break

3-5:30 pm: Session Two

“Clean Genes – Are You Supplying Them?  Defects and Tips on Handling Them”
Jonathan Beever, University of Illinois

“Handling BVD-PI, Johne’s Disease and Trichomoniasis: Are There New Technologies for Production and   Sales?”
Kris Clothier, Iowa State University

“Can the Seedstock Industry Learn Anything from the Old Methods of Progeny Feedouts?”
Darrell Busby and Daryl Strohbehn, Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University

5:30-6:30 pm: Social Hour, View Displays

6:30-7:15 pm: Dinner

715-8:30 pm: Evening Session

“Can New Internet/Electronic Technologies Enhance Your Marketing Strategies?”
   Eric Grant, Angus Production Inc.; Ed Tlach, Edje Technologies; and Mark Core, Core Family Farm Seedstock

To register for the conference, fill out the registration form and return it to the Iowa Beef Center.  Hope to see you there!

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The November issue of the Iowa Beef Center newsletter, Growing Beef, is now available! Robert Jolly, Iowa State University economics professor, walks feedlot operators through preparations for upcoming meetings with their ag lenders. Click here to read Jolly’s recommendations on understanding your lender and developing a plan regarding your operation’s financial future.

For more information on working with your ag lender and understanding your operation’s financial future, check out the following Iowa State University Extension resources:

• Ag Decision Maker Web site: An agricultural economics and business site
• “Obtaining a Business Loan” : article from Ag Marketing Resource Center
• “Financial Terms” : article from Ag Marketing Resource Center

Economics & Markets, Feedlot Operations ag financing, ag lender, IBC newsletter