ORANGE CITY, Iowa — National cattle behavior specialist Temple Grandin will be the keynote speaker at the Cattle Stewardship Conference June 8 at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds, Spirit Lake. The conference also features beef cattle specialists from Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.
“Grandin provides a unique view of stewardship,” said Beth Doran conference organizer and beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Conference presenters will share best management techniques to enhance animal health, comfort and sustainability of beef operations.”
Cattle Stewardship begins at 10 a.m. with a cattle handling demonstration conducted by Dean Fish. Fish is one of the national cattle handling experts recognized by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. In the afternoon, Grandin will present a practical approach to improving animal welfare. She is the nation’s leading expert on cattle comfort and behavior, having designed facilities for both packing plants and livestock producers.
“Consumers are asking about how the beef they eat is produced, and beef packers have developed management protocols for the feedlots that supply their cattle,” Doran said. “The goal of the conference is to help cow-calf and feedlot producers fine-tune the best management practices they currently use.”
Following Grandin’s presentation, six breakout topics will be offered through four sessions: techniques in managing pain, designing facilities for cattle comfort, low-stress weaning, best methods in cattle processing, managing heat stress in cattle, and successfully completing feedlot assessments.
The conference is cooperatively organized by the Iowa Beef Center, ISU Extension and Outreach, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Lakes Community College and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association with local support. Participants of the day-long program will fulfill the requirements to become Beef Quality Assurance certified.
Registration, which includes the noon meal, is $30 per person and due May 31 to ISU Extension and Outreach Dickinson County Office, 1600 15th St., Spirit Lake, IA 51360. The program brochure has the entire schedule, sponsor list and registration form.
For more information, contact Doran at 712-737-4230 or e-mail doranb@iastate.edu
— Beth Doran, Beef Specialist ISU Extension and Outreach
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