Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (ISUEO) and the Iowa Beef Center (IBC) are preparing for the ISU Feedlot School to be held this summer at the Armstrong Research Farm near Lewis,. The educational series will include information about numerous aspects of feedlot management including record keeping, risk management, animal health, nutrition, environmental stewardship, and animal handling.

Chris Clark, ISUEO beef field specialist, says “The curriculum should be educational for anyone involved in the day to day management of a feedlot.” The program will feature several speakers from Iowa State University including Lee Schulz, ISU Livestock Economist; Shane Ellis, Farm Management Field Specialist; Dan Loy, Iowa Beef Center Director; and Jan Shearer, Professor of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine.

Other highlights will include a low-stress cattle handling demonstration, BQA presentation and certification, a field trip to Ames to visit the College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Animal Science Department, and more. The series kicks off on Thursday, June 12 at the Wallace Foundation Learning Center/Armstrong Research Farm near Lewis, with a presentation on record keeping with the updated version of IBC’s Feedlot Monitoring Program.

Clark says they “Plan to have computers for participants to use so they can actually practice with the program and get a feel for setting things up and inputting data.” Garland Dahlke from the IBC will then help participants input a group of research cattle that will be fed at the farm, allowing for the animals to be tracked through the entire feeding period.

The June 12 date will also feature a presentation on risk management strategies from ISU Livestock Economist Lee Schulz. ” Future topics include animal health management, starting cattle on feed, environmental stewardship including an update on the EPA/DNR work plan, animal handling, feedlot audits, and much more.

The six-part series meets twice in June, and then once a month July through October. The registration fee is $150 for the entire series. For more information or to register please contact Chris Clark caclark@iastate.edu or Leann Plowman-Tibken leann@iastate.edu at (712) 769-2600.