Northwest Iowa — Cow-calf farmers are finding that they may have to hang onto their heifers longer.
Patrick Gunn, ISU Extension and Outreach beef cow-calf specialist says that now, more than ever, longevity will be the key to profitability when it comes to replacements that entered the herd over the past two years. He says that replacements purchased at record high prices in early 2015 may need to produce up to ten calves to pay for themselves based on current feeder cattle price projections.
To help producers manage this economic transition, the Iowa Beef Center is partnering with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, ABS Global, Accelerated Genetics, Select Sires and Merial to offer seven clinics across the state featuring breeding and selection for longevity and profit.
We asked ISU beef field specialist Beth Doran to tell us about the clinics.
Doran says the Cherokee clinic was supposed to have been earlier this month, but due to the weather they’ve postponed it to February 22nd. She tells us how to register for one of the clinics.
A meal will be served at each site and cost is $20 if pre-registered three days prior to the event. Walk-in registration is $25 per person with no guarantee of a meal. More information is available at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cherokee/news/heifer-development-3-breeding-selecting-longevity-profit-0 or contact Beth Doran, ISU Extension and Outreach beef program specialist at 712-737-4230.
