Iowa Beef Center

Join us in welcoming Lauryn Smidt to the Iowa Beef Center! Lauryn is joining the team as a regional extension beef specialist serving northwest Iowa.

She joined the team in July and has spent the first month visiting county fairs and meeting producers, coworkers and youth across the region.

Lauryn grew up in Pipestone, MN, where she gained some initial experience in the beef industry with her family's cattle operation. She attended North Dakota State University before pursuing a M.S. in ruminant nutrition at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

Parts of Iowa got a side of severe weather with the moisture over the weekend. And there is more weather in the forecast. After severe weather events occur...

Step 1️⃣: Call the insurance agent and get an adjustment
Step 2️⃣: Come up with plan B (maybe even plan C or D by now...)

If you are in cattle feeding country - plan B might be converting that grain crop to a forage crop. In particular, ensiling that forage. There are multiple benefits when considering corn silage as a feed, but today, let us focus on making the decision, and when to line up the harvest crew.

Typically - we talk about targeting ~65% DM when making silage. The crop is higher moisture than that right now. In this situation with damaged corn, wetter might be better than waiting. Why? Let's consider...

➡ Damaged crops given time in the field are prone to mold and yeast infestations. This impacts the nutritional value as well as poses some health risks, depending on the situation.

➡ Damage to ears and stalks open a path for pathogens, and would be areas to check for rots that can be a place for mycotoxin growth.

➡ Ensiling feed that is "to wet" will influence fermentation, and one of the main concerns is often called "cold fermentation" or essentially an environment that can allow clostridium organisms to proliferate and produce undesirable metabolites, often categorized as bioamines. There's also nutrient losses to consider.

➡ Cold fermentation risk is increased when there is significant soil contamination. Soil contamination in silage crops that are chopped and directly harvested rather than wilted is lower, so for corn, harvesting to wet becomes less of a concern.

➡ Harvesting wet will mean more seepage. Depending on storage site and method, seepage can pose significant management challenges and nutrient losses.

That said, this is a situation, where the risks of mold, yeast and overall spoilage may outweigh the risk of cold fermentation. Plus, once damaged, the crop may dry down surprisingly fast.

Often the next question asked in this situation is nitrate risk. If the area has not had drought pressure, we don't see as much accumulate in the stalk. Plus, ensiling is an effective practice to reduce the nitrate load. If concerned, performing a quick nitrate test and raising the header height is advised.

Know anyone making waves in the beef reproduction world?
Nominate them!!!
We'd love to see a flood of nominees for this ARSBC 🤠

Please consider nominating someone for a Beef Reproductive Task Force Service to Industry Award. Past winners and nominees can be found at https://beefrepro.org/award-winners/ . Learn how to nominate someone at https://beefrepro.org/arsbc-archive/2020-arsbc-archive/service-to-industry-award/ . Deadline for nominations is Sept. 18, 2026.

Growing Beef Newsletter for August 2026 - https://mailchi.mp/mail/growing-beef-newsletter-for-august-2026

Today we want to Congratulate Sherry Hoyer, our long time Communication Specialist on her retirement.

Behind the scenes, Sherry has worked part time for the Iowa Beef Center since 2010 delivering the monthly Growing Beef Newsletter, countless press releases, and so much more into the hands of Iowa beef producers.

Join us in thanking her for all she has done to support the Iowa Beef Center and wish her the best in retirement!

📢 Iowa cattle feeders: sign up soon for the Cyclone Cattle Feeder Days, coming to four locations across Iowa August 24-27!

This one-day program is designed to help feedlot owners, employees, and stakeholders navigate today's challenging cattle markets by focusing on data-driven decision making, risk management, technology adoption, and feedlot profitability.

Topics include:
✅ Feedlot SWOT Analysis
✅ Market Outlook & Risk Management Strategies
✅ Maximizing Manure Value
✅ Technology Implementation Opportunities for Feedyards
✅ Research Updates on Feedlot Cattle Resilience

Join us at a location near you!
📅 Aug. 24 – Carroll
📅 Aug. 25 – Monticello
📅 Aug. 26 – Osage
📅 Aug. 27 – Orange City

The program runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes lunch and opportunities to connect with industry experts, sponsors, and fellow cattle feeders.

💲 Registration is $20/person and due by Aug. 17 through the hosting county extension office.

Join us in Carroll (or Monticello, Osage, or Orange City!) for discussions around mitigating market risks, implementing technology usage, and optimizing value in the feedyard!

Learn more about our Cattle Feeder Days coming up August 24 - 27 by visiting www.iowabeefcenter.org/events/CycloneCattleFeeders2026.html

Mark your calendars, Carroll County! 🗓️

The Cyclone Cattle Feeder Days is coming to Swan Lake Education Center on Monday, August 24, from 10am to 3pm, presented by the Iowa Beef Center.

Iowa Beef Center specialists and researchers will cover market volatility, manure management, new feedlot technology, and the latest research on cattle nutrition and carcass quality. Plus a complimentary meal and time to connect with sponsors.

✅ Registration is $20 per person and due by August 17 through Carroll County ISU Extension and Outreach.

More information can be found here: https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/news/CCFDReminder2026.html
Register using the link above or call Carroll County Extension - (712)792-2364.

This week for the Iowa Beef Collective podcast, Jason Ross, ISU Animal Science Department Chair, talks about the newest major in the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences:

➡Animal Enterprise & Innovation!

Learn about how and why it was created, the versatility it offers prospective students, and the industries craving the first graduates!

Tune in to the latest Iowa Beef Collective episode on your favorite platform!
🔗Links in the comments!

📣 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! 📣

🗞 In case you missed it - the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle meeting, organized by the Beef Reproduction Task Force is coming to Iowa in November. And it's packing a schedule you don't want to miss!

We have speakers coming in from Florida, Canada, and a whole lot of states in between. These are researchers active in the field of bovine reproduction.

Join us to learn more about:
👉 Herd sire management
👉 Embryo transfer
👉 Estrus synchronization
👉 Breeding a more efficient cow
👉 Sexed semen utilization

Where? 🗺 Holiday Inn Des Moines - Airport/Conference Center
When? 🕗 November 10 - 11, 2026
Cost? 💰 Early bird registration is $200. Students are eligible for a discount!

The full schedule, registration, and other details can be found at the link in the comments!

Veterinarians and those looking for continuing education credits - this program has been submitted for RACE approval (not yet approved) for 12 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval.