Beef Producers Offered Summer Training Opportunities Across Northeast Iowa

Your contribution today guarantees Decorah News is asking the questions tomorrow. Act now. VINTON, Iowa — Iowa State University Extension beef specialist Densie Schwab invites Northeast Iowa producers to a variety of beef and forage programs happening this summer and fall. For more information about any of the events, contact her at dschwab@iastate.edu or 319-721-9624. Open class carcass contests Two counties will offer open-class carcass contests in July for producers to learn more about the carcass merit of the steers they raise. All are open to any producers, with cattle harvested at Tyson Fresh Meats in Joslin, Illinois. Pay is based on actual carcass weight, yield and quality grade, and daily Tyson price grids. Some counties have added prize money. Contact the county coordinator for entry details, prices and deadlines. July 12 — Clinton County, weigh-in 3–4 p.m., Maquoketa Livestock Exchange. Contact Loren Truelson at 563-249-3756. July 28 — Scott County, weigh-in 4–5:30 p.m., Maquoketa Livestock Exchange. Contact Darin Doerscher at 563-275-8079. Pre-entry required. Cattle handling workshop A cattle handling workshop will be held July 1 in partnership with Family Veterinary Services in Monticello. Dr. Grant Dewell, ISU Extension beef veterinarian, will demonstrate cattle handling and acclimation, insect pests and body condition scoring. The workshop will be at Family Veterinary Services, 1321 S. Main St., Monticello. Dinner begins at 5 p.m., and the program starts at 6 p.m. For details and to register, contact Family Veterinary Services at 319-251-0530. Iowa Grazing Academy This hybrid learning experience is designed to help livestock producers improve pasture productivity and profitability. Five online midday sessions are paired with a hands-on field demonstration. Online sessions are free and will be recorded for later viewing. The in-person field day has a $20 registration fee. Advance registration is encouraged. Online attendees should register to receive session links. Register at https://go.iastate.edu/AWTQUQ or contact ISU Extension forage specialist Shelby Gruss at sgruss@iastate.edu or 515-294-3832. All online sessions run from noon to 1:30 p.m.: July 13 — Grazing principles July 15 — Animal requirements & health July 16 — Grazing strategies July 20 — Infrastructure, alternatives & budgets July 22 — Productivity, weeds & technology The field day is July 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kirkwood Community College's Tippie Beef Center in Cedar Rapids. The focus is incorporating summer annuals into existing pastures to increase forage productivity. Fencing & Grazing Clinic A one-day workshop will be held Aug. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Etzel Sugar Grove Farm, 3706 St. Peters Road, near Marion. The program will focus on fencing tools, paddock design, grazing leases, fence law and virtual fencing options. Cost is $20 and includes lunch. Co-sponsors include Gallagher, Monil, NoFence, Iowa Forage & Grassland Council and the Rodale Institute Midwest Organic Center. Register by Aug. 4 at https://go.iastate.edu/5MSMOU or 319-377-9839. Cyclone Cattle Feeder Day Cyclone Cattle Feeder Day will be held Aug. 25 at the Jones County Extension Youth Development Center, 800 N. Maple St., Monticello. Speakers include Balance4ward on market outlook and risk management tools; ISU agricultural engineer Dan Anderson on optimizing manure value; Aimee Lutz on technology opportunities; ISU faculty research updates; and David Trowbridge on new technologies. The event is co-sponsored by Balance4ward, C-Lock, Elanco Animal Health, Performance Livestock Analytics and the Iowa Beef Checkoff. Registration is $20. Check-in begins at 9:45 a.m., with the program running 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. BQA trainings Two Beef Quality Assurance trainings remain in Northeast Iowa in 2026: Aug. 24 — BQA & BQAT, Tama Livestock Auction, 6 p.m. Call 641-484-3465 to register. Sept. 16 — BQA, Decorah Sales Commission, 8:30–10:30 a.m. Contact Denise Schwab at 319-472-4739 or dschwab@iastate.edu. Fresh stories, delivered! Sign up for the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and stay informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve.