Hoof Health, Cattle Markets and Feedlot Technologies Featured
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Kent Nutrition Group are teaming up to host a Northwest Iowa Livestock Forum on June 26 at the Dordt Agriculture Stewardship Center located north of Sioux Center.
“The Forum, which is from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., features items cattle producers contend with daily – animal health, volatile prices and new advances in precision agriculture,” said Beth Doran, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Doran said that there will be two keynote speakers, three chute-side demonstrations, and a trade show.
Dr. Jan Shearer, Iowa State University Professor and Extension Veterinarian, will lead off discussing hoof health and integrity. Dr. Shearer is nationally recognized for his Master Hoof Care Program, a training program designed to teach on-farm employees how to care for foot problems in cattle. His research interests are lameness, euthanasia, and welfare issues of beef and dairy cattle.
Then, the “2024 Market Outlook and Risk Management” will be presented by Brad Kooima. Aside from his agricultural trading company – Kooima Kooima Varilek Trading – and his own feedlot enterprise, Brad also serves on the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Livestock Marketing Committee and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Feedlot Council.
The afternoon features three breakout sessions.
Elanco Animal Health will have an animal health demo featuring the PenPoint System, a camera and computer-based system to sort cattle into homogeneous groups for feeding and marketing.
Zoetis will demo proper implanting and discuss how to get the most return from an implant program.