Iowa producers invited to NCBA Stockmanship & Stewardship Event in Lancaster, WI

While the dictionary doesn’t include the word "stockmanship," most livestock producers know what it means: handling livestock in a calm, quiet manner that results in animals that are healthier and gain faster. Stockmanship skills will be a major focus of the upcoming NCBA Stockmanship & Stewardship event at Lancaster, Wisconsin, on Aug. 28-29. Extension organizations, beef councils, and cattleman associations from Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, have joined with the National Cattlemen Beef Association to hold this event, which runs from 12:30 p.m. Wed. through 1:15 p.m. Thursday.

Casey Anderson, Iowa Beef Industry Council director of industry relations, said the event brings together well-known industry experts and offers an opportunity for attendees to become BQA certified.

“This is a hands-on, real world application of methodologies we teach within the BQA program every day. We started with the end in mind and worked to plan an event we thought producers would be excited to attend! We can’t wait to get our hands dirty and have thoughtful conversations with producers.”

A highlight of the event is the Thursday morning stockmanship demonstration and chute-side sessions with Dr. Ron Gill from Texas A&M and Curt Pate. Ron and Curt will explain how working with the animals’ natural instincts helps improve cattle flow, and makes handling easier and safer for both humans and animals. They will demonstrate skills in training cattle to move quietly and smoothly through a working facility and chute, and will offer tips to help cattle flow better. In addition to their traditional demonstration, the duo also will do a demonstration using dairy cross cattle with all their unique quirks! Other opportunities for attendees include networking with fellow cattlemen and women, learning innovative management techniques for improved cattle performance, and becoming BQA certified.

Wednesday afternoon topics and speakers will set the stage for increasing producer knowledge, beginning with the keynote address, How Sustainability & Consumers Influence Supply Chains, by Allison Demer, Marketing & Public Relations Manager, Culver Franchising System. Other topics and speakers are Vitamin and Mineral Impacts on Calf Health from Conception to Harvest, Dr. Dathan Smerchek, Iowa State University; Hairy Heel Wart Management, Dr. Doerte Doepfer, University of Wisconsin; Winter Manure Management Considerations to Benefit Water Quality, Jay Solomon, University of Illinois; and Best Management Practices to Optimize Calf Performance in the Feedlot Receiving Phase, Dr. Grant Dewell, ISU.

Wednesday evening features a tour of the Lancaster Ag Research Farm and demonstrations on pasture management, fitness for transport, and trailer inspection and maintenance. Following dinner, a panel of national stewardship award winners, including Jerry Huth, Justin Robbins, and Dave Petty, will offer information and answer questions.

Following the Thursday morning cattle demonstrations, attendees will hear about carcass quality and defects and a panel discussion on genetic selection for sustainability. Any producers who want to certify or renew their BQA certification can take the exam at the end of the event.

Registration for the event is $75 and includes three meals. For more information, including the complete agenda, fees, and registration form, visit www.StockmanshipAndStewardship.org. A list of local hotels can also be found at this site. Cattle producers attending Stockmanship & Stewardship are eligible for reimbursement through the Rancher Resilience Grant. To apply for a grant to cover registration costs and two nights hotel, visit https://www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant.

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About the Iowa Beef Industry Council: The Iowa Beef Industry Council is funded by the $1-per-head National Beef Checkoff Program and the $0.50-per-head Iowa State Beef Checkoff.  Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion, consumer information, research, industry information and foreign market development, all with the purpose of strengthening beef demand.  For more information, visit www.iabeef.org.