The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team has rescheduled its annual Dairy Directions Series for Feb. 21 in Sac City and Feb. 22 in Pocahontas.
The series will focus on four topics: economics of using beef embryos in dairy cows; a new look at energy in calf diets; what’s going on at the ISU dairy; and a review of dairy markets.
“For years dairy producers have used beef semen on lower genetic value cow, but now the real opportunity may be using beef embryos to yield a more valuable calf. We will discuss the economics of impregnating cows with beef embryos,” said Fred Hall, Northwest Iowa Dairy Specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “We will also review new research on energy in calf diets, hear what’s going on at the ISU dairy plus take a look at the milk markets.”
Brandon Peterson will help producers understand the dairy beef opportunities and how they can improve margins from the calves. Peterson is Director of Sales at Trans Ova Genetics where he leads a sales team to continue Trans Ova’s impact of advanced reproductive technologies on the beef and dairy sectors, both domestically and internationally.
Dr. Gail Carpenter, Assistant Professor and state-wide dairy specialist will review how changes in calf ration energy can improve calf performance. Carpenter grew up in central Michigan and attended Michigan State University for her BS degree in Animal Science, earned her MS at the University of Minnesota, where she studied ruminant nutrition she then worked under Dr. Barry Bradford for her PhD at Kansas State University. Carpenter came to Iowa State University in 2021 as a faculty member at Iowa State University.
Josh Peak will share what’s happening on the ISU dairy. He is an Idaho native, received his B.S. in Dairy Science from the University of Idaho in 2006 and his MS in 2020. He worked on a large commercial dairy managing day-to-day operations following graduation, worked as an AI technician for Alta Genetics. In 2007 he took over management of the University of Idaho Dairy and Feed Mill, which he managed until moving to Iowa to manage the ISU Dairy in early 2022. Josh has extensive experience in both university research and farm administration as well as animal husbandry.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialist Fred Hall will address the milk market and what is being discussed concerning the federal orders.
Both days will feature the same program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., so dairy producers, heifer growers and agribusiness personnel can select the date and location that works best for them – either the ISU Extension and Outreach Sac County office in Sac City on Feb. 21 or the ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County office in Pocahontas on Feb. 22. Registration will open at 9:30 a.m. each day.
There is no charge to attend either program thanks to sponsorship from the county Extension offices and Dairy Gross Margin, LLC; however, preregistration is requested to plan adequately for meals and materials. To register for the Feb. 21 Sac City session, call 712-662-7131; for the Feb. 22 Pocahontas session, call 712-335-3103, or register on-line at: https://go.iastate.edu/DSEZWQ
Any other questions can be directed to Dairy Specialist Fred Hall at 712-737-4230.