In the calf market, on average there was a 35 percent chance of hedging to make a profit and in the yearling market, there was a 41 percent chance of hedging to make a profit.  Check out this report for more details.

These kits are quick and simple to use, are free, and the program is confidential. The only person that knows the results of the ammonia test is the livestock producer. The test kits come with an instructional video and a fact sheet on water quality impacts.

The best time to inspect and test is during or shortly after a rainfall, when water is running off the cattle yard. The water quality testing kit is available from the County Extension offices in Allamakee, Buena Vista, Carroll, Cherokee, Clay, Clayton, Clinton, Crawford, Delaware, Dubuque, Floyd, Johnson, Lyon, Mitchell, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, East Pottawattamie and Story counties. Please contact the county nearest you to determine the availability of the kit for your use.

Additional resource materials for dairy and beef operations are available through the Small Feedlot and Dairy Operations Web page at Iowa State University. These materials, used in conjunction with the self-assessment worksheets and producer guides, can help a livestock producer determine if their manure control structures are operating correctly and can guide producers to cost-effective ways to change control structures or management practices to protect water quality.

The potential inspections stem from a proposed work plan between IDNR and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that is designed to address questions about the Iowa agency’s permitting program for the state’s livestock feeding operations.

  Read the full article from Iowa Farm Bureau

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach developed the educational materials, hosts these materials on a dedicated Web page, and coordinates and hosts field days/demonstration sites where producers can learn about practices and management strategies to reduce runoff impacts on water quality.  The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has partnered to place water quality testing kits in 20 counties. These kits are available for livestock producers to use to check water quality in streams below their feedlots and cow yards. The test kits come with an instructional video and a fact sheet on water quality testing and impacts. The results of this water testing are confidential and livestock producers are not required to share this information. This testing can help identify if runoff is reaching the stream and the potential impact on aquatic life.

Be the first in your neighborhood to check out and use the water test kit to monitor water quality below your feedlot!

“Syringes should be cleaned after every use. Do not use disinfectant solutions especially for syringes that are used for vaccines. I recommend that you label your syringes for different products (viral, clostridial, dewormer, antibiotic, etc.).

To clean a reusable syringe, clean the outside of the syringe first, removing any dirt or manure. You can wipe the outside of the syringe with a disinfectant wipe. Then take the syringe apart and clean the inside parts with hot water. Lubricate the plunger with glycerin or cooking spray. Re-assemble the syringe and then rinse a metal syringe with boiling water or microwave a plastic syringe with water. Store syringes in a plastic ziplock bag to keep clean. I prefer to make sure syringes are dry before storing.”

For more advice on cleaning syringes check out this great instructional video from Dr. Dee Griffin, Great Plains Veterinary Center, Clay Center, NE on how to sterilize reusable syringes.