Breed Back Better Workshops Support Cattle Producers

By Andi Anderson

Producers across Iowa are preparing for possible herd expansion as cattle numbers reach historic lows and markets remain unpredictable. To support producers during this important phase, the Iowa Beef Center has organized a series of Breed Back Better workshops scheduled from January 8 to January 29, 2026.

These workshops aim to help cattle owners strengthen reproductive efficiency, improve record keeping, and adopt stronger financial planning practices that will support long-term success.

The program includes six workshops in different Iowa locations, offering producers practical tools to improve herd performance.

According to Randie Culbertson, assistant professor and cow-calf specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, “Each part of this program has been designed to incorporate interactive learning. From a reproductive technology session that uses a beef breeding model, like the popular calving model, to a session challenging producers to put a pencil to paper to effectively use depreciation as a financial management tool, this will be a great program.”

Northeast Iowa extension beef specialist Denise Schwab explained that accurate herd tracking helps producers understand performance trends. “There are some key measures producers can use to benchmark their herd’s calving season results against industry standards as well as the herd’s own history,” she said. “We’ll work through calculating those, because most producers already have the records to do it.”

Each workshop will open with a light meal and a market update from an Ever.Ag livestock economist. Registration costs $20 and must be paid to the host county extension office.

Locations include Creston, Centerville, Fairfield, Dunlap, Hampton, and Calmar, each offering sessions on reproduction, financial management, and herd benchmarking. The Calmar session will also include a discussion on late gestation nutrition.

Support for the workshops comes from the Iowa Beef Checkoff, ABS Global Inc., Ever.Ag, and several local sponsors. Producers with questions are encouraged to contact the Iowa Beef Center at beefcenter@iastate.edu.

The Breed Back Better workshops provide valuable tools for producers preparing to expand their herds while maintaining quality and efficiency in their operations.

Photo Credit: iowa-state-university