By Andi Anderson
The Iowa Beef Center is preparing cattle producers for a successful start to the new year by offering four Advanced Calving Clinics in early January. These sessions are designed to equip producers with the skills and knowledge needed for effective calving management and a productive breeding season.
Clinics will take place on January 6 in Fayette and Clinton counties and on January 7 in Greene and Montgomery counties.
According to Iowa State University extension beef specialist Denise Schwab, the clinics will include several educational sessions and opportunities for participants to share questions and experiences.
Topics will range from conception through calving and will introduce key practices in managing dystocia using a calving model, understanding beef cow nutrition, supporting neonatal calf health, and improving calving distribution. Schwab emphasized the value of learning new skills, noting, “Whether you’ve calved 10 cows or 10,000 cows, there’s always a new technique to learn to help you get one more calf born alive.” She added that “Attendees of previous Advanced Calving Clinics have reported substantial satisfaction with the program, estimating an average benefit of $1,480 per operation.”
ISU extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk highlighted the hands-on popularity of the program. She said the life-size calving model remains one of the clinics’ most valuable tools. “Dr. Caitlin Wiley from the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine will help participants with tips and tricks for handling difficult delivery situations,” she said.
Local veterinarians will also participate at each location, providing insights on neonatal calf care and common reproductive challenges. Specialists include Dr. Cody Sacquitne, Dr. Michelle Hohrman, Dr. Amy Klauer, Dr. Charles Martin, and Dr. Aimee Anderson. ISU cow-calf specialist Randie Culbertson will lead a session on improving rebreeding success, while Schwab and Lundy-Woolfolk will guide discussions on pre- and post-calving nutrition.
Attendance is limited to 50 participants per clinic to support individualized learning. Preregistration is required, and the cost is $25 per person, including a meal. Producers must register at least two days before their chosen date by contacting the respective county extension office.
The series is supported by Boehringer Ingelheim, with additional sponsorship from county cattlemen’s associations. For more details, participants can reach Schwab at dschwab@iastate.edu or Lundy-Woolfolk at ellundy@iastate.edu.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sstajic
Categories: Iowa, Livestock, Beef Cattle