Iowa Ag Connection - McNay Memorial Research and Demo Farm Field Day Aug. 2

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McNay Memorial Research and Demo Farm Field Day Aug. 2
Iowa Ag Connection - 07/19/2017

The 2017 field day of the Iowa State University McNay Memorial Research Farm southwest of Chariton will provide updates on grazing and cover crops, including a pasture tour spotlighting weed control techniques and planning for stockpiled grazing.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Joe Sellers organizes this event, and said that in addition to this plant-based information, the Aug. 2 event will provide the latest in selected beef cattle research projects and specific results on the farm cattle.

"Presentations are scheduled from Iowa State staff and others who will offer information and results from a variety of beef-related research," Sellers said. "There's no cost to attend and no preregistration is necessary. The program starts with registration at 3 p.m. at the farm, and includes an evening meal prepared and served by the Lucas County Cattlemen's Association."

After registration, attendees will start at plots near the farm headquarters to learn about alfalfa variety plots and cover crop varieties, led by Iowa State extension field agronomist Rebecca Vittetoe and McNay Farm beef specialist Logan Wallace. Iowa Beef Center program specialist Erika Lundy will then present information on supplementing cereal rye grazed by replacement heifers.

Sellers, Wallace and McNay beef specialist Brad Evans will lead a pasture tour highlighting pasture renovation, weed control tools and stockpiled grazing ideas.

Following a 6 p.m. dinner prepared and served by the Lucas County Cattlemen's Association, discussion continues with three research updates by Iowa State animal science graduate students:

- Productivity measures in beef cows and calves following a single subcutaneous injection of LongRange: Claire Andresen.

- The evaluation of methionine supplementation on cow-calf performance: Colby Redifer.

- Trace mineral supplementation and implant strategy on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics: Elizabeth McDonald.

- Sellers and Wallace will round out the program with a presentation on carcass and grid value of the McNay Farm herd of fed cattle, followed by Q&A on current topics.

The McNay farm is located at 45249 170th Ave., Chariton. For directions to the facility, see the farm webpage or call the farm directly at 641-766-6465. For more information on the field day program, contact Sellers by phone at 641-203-1270 or email at sellers@iastate.edu, or call the McNay Farm at 641-766-6465.

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