Driftless Region Beef Conference set

DUBUQUE, Iowa — The university extension services in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin are teaming together to offer the Driftless Region Beef Conference to educate beef producers.

The 14th annual event will be held Jan. 22-23 at the Grand River Convention Center in Dubuque.

Past participants in this conference have said the program would increase their economic return by more than $10 per animal managed, testifying to the value of attending the conference.

Cattle prices have been at record highs year after year, but producers still need to focus on the basics to remain profitable.

Four keynote speakers will be featured the first afternoon. From the health perspective, Mark Hilton, consulting veterinarian for Midwest Beef Cattle Consultants, will discuss the role and value of basic biosecurity, and Teresa Steckler, University of Illinois commercial agriculture Extension specialist, will share information on the movement of ticks into the upper Midwest and their impact on cattle herds.

Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor of animal science and beef genetics Extension specialist, will discuss genetic selection tips and the role it plays in cow longevity. Kellie Curry-Raper, Oklahoma State University professor of agricultural economics and livestock marketing Extension specialist, will share some of her research looking at what practices add value to feeder calves and how to implement them in the cow herd.

The Thursday afternoon and evening schedule includes vendor networking, dinner and the traditional bull pen panel discussion.

Friday morning features four breakout sessions each for cow herd and feedlot topics. Cow room topics include interseeding sudangrass to boost overgrazed pastures, proven profit tips for cow-calf producers, using genetics to your advantage and a hands-on reproduction session.

The feedlot room topics include risk management, tips for silage management, feeding to heavier weights and mycotoxins.

The conference will wrap up with a market outlook from Brenda Boetel, University of Wisconsin River Falls professor and department chair, agricultural economics; and agricultural marketing Extension specialist.

The early registration fee of $120 per person must be received prior to midnight Jan. 7. After that date, it increases to $145.

More information on topics, speakers and lodging is available by calling 815-858-2273 or at www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/beef/.