By Andi Anderson
The Iowa Beef Center, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will host a Beef Technology Field Day on September 29, 2026, at the McNay Memorial Research Farm in Chariton, Iowa. The event will provide beef producers with an opportunity to learn about emerging technologies that can improve cattle management and farm efficiency.
Modern technology is becoming an important part of beef production, helping farmers monitor livestock, manage grazing systems, and collect valuable data. According to Shelby Gruss, Assistant Professor and Forage Extension Specialist at Iowa State University, producers are increasingly adopting advanced tools to enhance daily operations and improve decision-making on their farms.
The McNay Memorial Research Farm serves as Iowa State University’s primary cow-calf research facility and is home to purebred Angus spring and fall herds. Data collected from these cattle supports numerous research projects focused on improving beef production practices.
Discussing the benefits of new data collection methods, Randie Culbertson, Assistant Professor and Cow-Calf Extension Specialist at Iowa State University, said, “We have both genotype and traditional phenotype information on all these cattle. With new technologies, we can gather phenotype information that has been hard to collect in the past and start looking for more genetic relationships that matter to producers.”
The field day will feature several demonstration projects showcasing practical technologies for cattle operations. Participants will learn about grazing alfalfa varieties, satellite imagery used for biomass estimation, activity-monitoring ear tags that track cattle movement and location, and mineral feeders capable of collecting cattle weight data.
A trade show will also be held during the event, allowing attendees to interact with industry representatives and learn more about tools such as virtual fencing systems, wearable livestock technologies, and other precision agriculture innovations.
The program will begin with registration and a trade show at 9:00 a.m., followed by field demonstrations starting at 9:30 a.m. Afternoon sessions will cover Iowa State’s cow herd data collection and management practices, forage research updates, biomass prediction research using satellite imagery, and a panel discussion on virtual fencing and wearable technologies.
A light meal will be provided for attendees. The event will take place at the McNay Memorial Research Farm, located at 45249 170th Avenue in Chariton.
Organizers encourage beef producers, students, and industry professionals to attend and explore the latest advancements shaping the future of cattle production. Registration is available online, and additional information can be obtained through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The program is supported by funding from an Iowa Beef Industry Checkoff grant.
Photo Credit: istock-emholk
Categories: Iowa, Education