By Andi Anderson
A special field day in northwest Iowa will introduce farmers and livestock producers to new technologies in beef production. The event is organized by the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University and South Dakota State University Beef Extension. It will focus on improving efficiency and productivity in livestock farming through modern tools and techniques.
The field day will take place on June 25 at Tallgrass Cattle Company, located at Getting Farms near Sanborn. The program will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include live demonstrations and expert discussions.
Host Aaron Alons, a cattle producer who sells grass-fed beef directly to consumers, will demonstrate how virtual fencing collars work. He has been using NoFence collars for over a year to manage his cattle. These collars help control animal movement without traditional fencing. Alons will also explain how he secured financial support through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and how he uses different forages in his grazing system.
A unique feature of the event is a technology trailer from South Dakota State University. It includes many modern tools used in livestock farming, such as animal health monitoring systems, water monitoring tools, handheld feed analyzers, and drones. Farmers will get a chance to see how these technologies work in real-life conditions.
“The trailer has animal health monitoring software, water monitoring software, a handheld feed analyzer, drones and much more,” she said. “Additional topics include cybersecurity awareness and applicable precision technologies research and we’ll have a designated time for technology demonstrations.”
Experts from Iowa State University will also share ongoing research. This includes the use of special ear tags that help monitor grazing behavior and collect useful data. These technologies allow farmers to better understand their animals and improve management practices.
Previous similar events showed that farmers gained valuable knowledge about virtual fencing, sensors, and data systems. Many participants expressed interest in learning more about using data and technology to improve pasture management.
The event is free to attend and includes a meal. Organizers encourage advance registration to ensure proper arrangements. Overall, this field day offers a great opportunity for farmers to explore modern tools and improve their livestock operations.
Photo Credit: istock-123ducu
Categories: Iowa, Livestock