Iowa Cattlemen's Podcast

Stockguard was founded in response to a need for better livestock insurance solutions. They've partnered with industry experts and producers to create simple, affordable, helpful insurance coverage that provides a safety net for the nation's food supply. Stockguard's Euweng Chan, CEO and Tony Latcham, VP of Risk Management Consulting tell us more about what they offer to cattle producers on this week's episode of "At the Gate."

Shayne Wiese, a fifth-generation cattle producer from West Central Iowa, testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. The hearing focused on Title II Conservation Programs in the Farm Bill. Wiese testified on behalf of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association and National Cattlemen's Beef Association. He advocated for voluntary programs, as well as flexibilities within the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and enhanced support for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

It's hard to imagine the impact $440,000 can have on an individual, family or charity. Yet Iowa's cattle industry raised more than $440,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities at this year's Iowa Governor's Charity Steer Show.  The Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Cattlemen's Association and Office of the Governor of Iowa are proud to carry on the Iowa Governor's Charity Steer Show, which started in 1983. To learn about this year's anniversary show, tune into this week's episode of "At the Gate."  

Iowa State University recently named Jason Ross as the new chair of the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In this week's episode, Jason Ross speaks to the new school year. On Monday, the Department of Animal Science welcomed 1,100 undergraduate students, many who have a primary or secondary interest in beef cattle production. Ross also shares his vision for the Department, which is "For Iowa State University's Department of Animal Science to be the premier Department of Animal Science in the country."

The Iowa Beef Center will host three Fencing and Grazing Clinics in September. "The goal of these clinics is to focus on extending your grazing and exposing producers to available technologies," said Beth Reynolds, IBC extension program specialist. Learn more about opportunities to extend grazing during a drought as well as best practices for optimizing feed sources to keep the herd conditioned. 

Iowa cattle industry leaders influenced policy at the 2022 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting, hosted by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, in Reno, Nevada. This week, we hear from: Matt Deppe, ICA Chief Executive Officer Bob Noble, ICA President Rob Medberry, ICA President-elect The group discusses our impact on policy, especially as it relates to 14-day delivery and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). For a full recap, tune into this week's episode of "At the Gate."

This week's episode is a brief update from your Iowa Cattlemen's Association. We cover a variety of topics, including the "I Am An Iowa Cattleman" Photo Contest, Iowa State Fair, and 2023 Carcass Challenge program.

Justin, Lacie and McKinley Robbins, of Robbins Land & Cattle, LLC. aspire to leave the land better today than how they found it. The family's sustainable efforts have put them in the running for the 2021 National Environmental Stewardship Award. Learn more about the family-owned cattle operation, in this week's episode of "At the Gate." 

It's full steam ahead at the Iowa Cattle Industry Headquarters. Now that our Regional BeefMeets are behind us, we are shifting gears to the Iowa Governor's Charity Steer Show (GCSS). Learn about the history behind this event, which kicked off 40 years ago. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Iowa's cattle industry is hoping to raise $400,000 for the 40th anniversary. More about this year's show can be found at:  iowagovernor'scharitysteershow.com. 

The Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) will be travelling to four locations across the state to gather grassroots input from producer members. BeefMeets include education on policy and production, industry updates, a tradeshow and meal. These events are FREE to ICA members. Join us for one of the following: SW Region BeefMeet | Tuesday, June 7 Adair County 4-H & FFA Building 900 NE Elm St. Greenfield, IA 50849 NW Region BeefMeet | Thursday, June 9 Marcus Community Center 319 N Main St. Marcus, IA 51035 NE Region BeefMeet | Tuesday, June 14 CJ Farms Inc. 2424 10th St. Lamont, IA 50650 SE Region BeefMeet | Thursday, June 16 Monroe County Fairgrounds - Exhibit Building 6393 170th Street Albia, IA 52531 Registration is encouraged, but not required. To register, visit: https://bit.ly/3N8ds1n.

The Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen's Association work collectively to support the success of beef producers in the state. In this week's episode of "At the Gate," Rex Hoppes shares how the Iowa Beef Industry Council is: Expanding consumer demand for beef Strengthening beef's position in the global marketplace Improving producer profitability An Iowa Beef Industry Council representative will be present at each ICA BeefMeet. Register for a BeefMeet near you by calling (515) 296-2266.

The Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen's Assocation this week recognized The Flying Elbow, of Marshalltown, for Iowa's Best Burger in 2022. Learn more about the locally-owned restaurant that has been serving burgers for just six months. 

Denise Schwab, Northeast Iowa Extension Beef Specialist, joins us on "At the Gate" to discuss annual forages. Schwab encourages producers to weatherproof their grazing systems, in an effort to maximize those acres well into the fall.  *Note: This episode is sponsored by Lactipro, offered by MS Biotec. Learn how more about how Lactipro can maximize efficiency on your operation by visiting: https://bit.ly/37AaOBS.

It's bull sale season! We invite you to join us for an upcoming ICA 'Symbol of Excellence' Sale. We will be selling yearling bulls and replacement heifers at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8 at the Tama Livestock Auction. On Friday, April 22, we will have another outstanding group of yearling bulls available through the Humeston Livestock Exchange Patrick Wall, Iowa State University Extension beef specialist, shares how to find your next herd bull in today's "variable" market. Wall also encourages producers to "buy the bull you need instead of the bull you want."  *Note: This episode is sponsored by Lactipro, offered by MS Biotec. Learn more about how Lactipro can maximize efficiency on your operation by visiting: https://bit.ly/37AaOBS.  

Segment 1: The Iowa Cattlemen's Association is proud to support Iowa's Best Burger Contest. This year's contest is well underway, and the Top 10 restaurants have been chosen. Kylie Peterson, of Iowa Beef Industry Council, shares how you can be a part of the contest.  Segment 2: Weather is great for small talk, but it greatly affects livestock farmers' day-to-day operations. Within the past couple of weeks, Iowa has received multiple rainfall events. Will the forecast remain wet heading into spring? Justin Glisan, State Climatologist of Iowa, speaks to what lies ahead.

The Iowa Cattlemen's Asssociation (ICA) looks forward to hosting three 'Symbol of Excellence' Sales in March and April.  Our first sale will be at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 14 at the Bloomfield Livestock Market. Click here for event details: https://bit.ly/33JVRvd. Hear directly from Matt Deppe, ICA CEO, and Skylar Brittain, ICA Bull and Heifer Evaluation Program (BHEP) Coordinator, about this year's performance offerings.  

Iowa Cattlemen's Association members effectively represented Iowa's beef business on Wednesday, during Cattlemen at the Capitol. We caught up with our regional vice presidents: Scott Niess, representing northeast Iowa, Justin Rowe, representing southwest Iowa, and Craig Moss, representing northwest Iowa. The ICA leaders give a brief overview of our legislative priorities and speak to the importance of being involved in the grassroots policy process.

The Iowa Cattlemen's Association submitted four policies at last week's Cattle Industry Convention, in Houston, Texas. In this episode, Iowa cattle industry leaders sit down to discuss the results of policy committee meetings. Iowa Cattlemen's Association CEO Matt Deppe says, "There is common ground on transparency." Listen to find out how our Association plans to work forward, build off of recent policy engagement, and take action on policy positions.  

The Iowa Cattlemen's Association continues to engage on Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). On Jan. 18, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Army held a virtual public hearing on WOTUS. The federal agencies solicit public input, as the Biden Administration seeks to replace the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR). Sparky Wellman, of southeast Iowa, provided comment on behalf of Iowa cattle producers.  Lee Schulz, Iowa State University Extension livestock economist, is "cautiously optimistic" in his beef cattle market outlook. Schulz provides a price forecast, as well as risk management strategies.

"In 2021, we enhanced the way we engage on policy topics," says Matt Deppe, Iowa Cattlemen's Association Chief Executive Officer. Learn about policy topics our Association plans to engage on in 2022. Additionally, ICA will be hosting three educational sessions in late January and early March. Tanner Lawton, ICA field services manager, hopes to see you at one of our Forums. January 26 | Carroll Producer Forum January 27 | Graettinger Producer Forum March 3 | West Union Producer Forum

We offer a final recap of the 2021 Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit, held on Dec. 15 and 16 at Prairie Meadows Conference Center, in Altoona, Iowa. In the front end of the program, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Peter Shinn tells us, "Food production is absolutely vital to national security at it's most basic level." He also speaks to conflict management and how to reach a compromise. On the back end of the program, Matt and Cassies Winters, of Volga, Iowa, speak to their SimAngus beef cattle and Quarter Horse operation. The Winters received the 2021 Commercial Producer Award, which recognizes those who "give it their all to make our industry the best it can be." 

The Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) recently concluded the Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit. The in-person event attracted leading cattle producers from all across the state. ICA Chief Executive Officer Matt Deppe and President Bob Noble provide a brief recap of the annual event. The key takeaway from this year's event: Instating policy, which supports WTO-compliant Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL).

Dr. Terry Engelken, of Iowa State University, presented  "Digital Dermatitis - Old Disease, New Reseach" at Feedlot Forum 2021. Engelken speaks to his research on Digital Dermatitis, also referred to as Hairy Heel Wart. He says, "There are a lot of moving pieces to this disease, and I'm not sure we know exactly what all of them are at this point." Learn more about the age-old disease, and how you might go about managing it in the current and future.

In this week's episode of "At the Gate," we introduce you to our NEW membership managers, Meghan Orr and Skylar Brittain. Jennifer Carrico, Southwest Iowa Regional Membership Manager, also joins us to provide an update on the Carcass Challenge and Iowa Cattlemen's Leadership Program (ICLP).

The Iowa Cattlemen's Association is gearing up for the Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit and Annual Meeting. ICA CEO Matt Deppe says, "The first part of being a member is the investment of dues, but there's a very important second investment that we value more from our membership, and that's their engagement." Be engaged. Attend this year's Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit and Annual Meeting on December 15 and 16 at Prairie Meadows, in Altoona. To view the full, two-day agenda, visit https://www.iacattlemen.org/events-meetings/iowa-cattle-industry-leadership-summit.     

In today's episode, Mary Greiman shares how the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation strengthens Iowa's cattle industry through education and outreach. Mary serves as youth and outreach coordinator for the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation. She tells us about upcoming events, scholarship opportunities, and more in this biweekly episode. 

The Iowa Cattlemen's Association is currently taking applications for the Iowa Cattlemen's Leadership Program (ICLP), formerly known as the Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program. Jennifer Carrico, Southwest Iowa membership coordinator, speaks with previous program participants: Justin Robbins (2014), Clara Lauritsen (2017), and Dave Olson (2019). Each individual speaks to his or her experience and encourages you to apply for the 2022 ICLP class before November 15, 2021.

Membership season is in full swing at the Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA). Tanner Lawton and Jennifer Carrico, ICA membership coordinators, speak to the value of an Iowa Cattlemen's Association membership. Jenn says, “For your return on investment, you're not going to find a better value.” Learn why you should “Join the Herd” today.

The summer drought not only took a toll on pasture ground, but the nutrition and quality of corn silage. Iowa State University Extension Beef Specialist Beth Doran recommends testing recently harvested silage for elevated nitrate levels. She also offers tips on preserving pasture ground and speaks to annual forages.  

In this week's episode of "At The Gate," Matt Deppe visits with Dr. Jason Sawyer, associate professor and research scientist at King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, and Randy & Jill Euken, Iowa cattle producers and the 2020 Region III Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) winners. Collectively, the group discusses viable paths toward climate neutrality in U.S. cattle production.      

Tanner Lawton and Casey Anderson, Iowa Governor's Charity Steer Show co-chairs, reminisce about the 39th annual Iowa Governor's Charity Steer Show (GCSS). The pair shares their most cherished moments from the show, as well as how many people it takes to raise $375,000 for a local cause, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.

ICA CEO Matt Deppe sits down with member leaders Brad Kooima, Dick Godfrey, and Bob Noble at the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, TN. The group discusses a variety of topics including: live cattle marketing, sustainability, as well as tax and finance.

This week, Jon Schaben, ICA member-leader and owner of Dunlap Livestock Auction, in Dunlap, Iowa, and West Point Livestock, in West Point, Neb., testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee met to discuss competition and vulnerabilities within the beef supply chain. Cora Fox, ICA director of government relations, worked alongside Jon in preparation for the hearing. On Wednesday, the pair traveled to Washington, D.C., where they met with a few elected officials and attended the committee meeting. Links: Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

This week on "At The Gate," Bob Noble, ICA president-elect, and Cora Fox, ICA director of government relations, discuss interim policies, which were recently passed by our Board of Directors. These policies stem from grassroots feedback collected at our summer BeefMeets, and cover climate change, beef product labeling, Waters of the United States and rural broadband. Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, southwest Iowa Extension beef specialist, also joins us to discuss heat stress and heat stress management in cow-calf operations. Tune in for tips and tricks on how to beat the heat.

Anna Hastert, ICA director of communications, talks with Ashley McDonald, NCBA senior director of sustainability. McDonald speaks to carbon markets and how beef cattle producers can effectively share what they are doing on-farm in regards to climate and environmental sustainability. Matt Deppe, ICA CEO, and Cora Fox, ICA director of government relations, share feedback received during the grassroots policy breakout sessions at ICA's Regional BeefMeets. Producers are focused on tax reform, conservation and cattle market reform.

Cora Fox, ICA director of government relations, speaks to the price disparity between live cattle and boxed beef, and what our Association is doing to address this ongoing issue. Bryan Sievers, owner of Glenora Feedyard, LLC., talks about the Southeast Region BeefMeet, to be hosted at his feedlot on Wednesday, June 9.

Matt Deppe gives listeners an update on NCBA's price discovery working group and goes over ICA programs including the Carcass Challenge and Bull & Heifer Evaluation Program. Tanner Lawton talks to Dr. Dan Thomson about the Governor's Charity Steer Show and Katie Olthoff visits with Mike McDonough and his mom, Amy.

This episode features an interview with Matt Deppe following NCBA's summer business meeting, where he gives an in-depth overview of the cattle marketing policy discussions. He also shares ICA's "next steps". Tanner Lawton and Casey Allison share a new fundraising challenge for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, and ISU extension beef specialists tell listeners about several upcoming meetings and webinars focused on drought conditions in western Iowa.

Matt Deppe talks about some forward movement on cattle marketing reform and 50/14, including discussions expected at the upcoming NCBA Summer Business Meeting. Justin Sexten from Performance Livestock Analytics shares info on Cattle Krush (FREE for ICA members), Performance Beef, and the animal health update coming this fall. Finally, we hear a segment of our recent webinar focused on selling beef locally. Dr. Terry Houser, Iowa State University Meat Lab, discusses carcass yield and pricing considerations. Watch the entire webinar here.

This week's episode features an update on the 50/14 cattle marketing initative. ICA's Director of Government Relations, Cora Fox, discusses Reps. Axne, Finkenauer and Loebsack's companion bill, and the next steps in cattle market reform. ICA's Tanner Lawton gives an Governor's Charity Steer Show update, and Kaitlyn and Jason give advice on selling beef locally. Links: 50/14 House Bill Governor's Charity Steer Show Harvest Barn Marketplace

Secretary Mike Naig joins us again to talk about efforts to connect hungry Iowans with market-ready cattle through the Beef Up Iowa program. Click here to find out more. This episode also features Part 2 of Dr. Brandon Koch's webinar presentation on pasture management and mineral needs of cattle on pasture. 

Transparency, price discovery and leverage. All three panelists agree on the problem, but they have different views on possible solutions. This episode is a replay of a live webinar from June 17 focused on efforts to level the playing field and rectify the imbalance of price discovery across cattle feeding regions and operation sizes. Find out what the panelists think about government mandates, packer accountability, and how current proposals could affect the industry longer-term.

On this week's episode, Matt Deppe gives cattlemen an update on Packers and Stockyards and Department of Justice investigations into beef packers, Dr. Brandon Koch from Kent Feeds shares pasture management advice (including advice for fescue), and Iowa State Fair CEO Gary Slater talks to us about the "postponement" of this year's fair. Watch Dr. Koch's full presentation here. Register for next week's cattle market webinar with Corbitt Wall, Brad Kooima and Jordan Levi here.

Get to know ICA's new Cow-Calf Council Chairman, Bryan Reed. Bryan shares his experience with cover crops and fence law and weighs in on the threats to the future of the cattle industry, including vertical integration and possible future lack of price discovery in feeder markets. Jeff Stolle from Nebraska Cattlemen gives a run-down of the subscription-only Market Reporting Service, used by 300 feedlots in the midwest. Click here for more info: https://www.iacattlemen.org/ica-programs/market-reporting-service Matt Deppe also gives a brief update on ICA's summer events.

Governor Reynolds celebrates May Beef Month and visits with us about her efforts to assist the cattle industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. You'll also hear from ICA staff members Matt Deppe and Kate Fulk.

Finally, the details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (direct payments for farmers) have been released, and ICA's Northwest Iowa Membership Coordinator, Tanner Lawton gives listeners the run-down. Dr. Lee Schulz, Iowa State University, reviews current slaughter numbers and weights, Brad Kooima talks to RFD-TV's Market Day Report, and Matt Deppe talks about upcoming ICA events. 

This episode of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association podcast is dedicated to Senator Chuck Grassley's bill aimed at increased transparency in the cattle markets. Hear the senator's remarks from the Senate floor, the ICA board's questions about the bill, and get to know ICA's Feedlot Council Chairman, Dustin Purhmann and the history of ICA's efforts to increase cash trade and leverage for producers.

Senator Chuck Grassley has been working closely with the Iowa Cattlemen's Association staff and leaders regarding the need for more negotiated cash trade in the fed cattle markets. Today, he introduced a bill mandating that a minimum of 50% of purchases by packers be negotiated and that cattle be delivered to the plant within 14 days. Read more about the bill here.

This episode of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association podcast includes an update from ICA CEO Matt Deppe on a proposed program designed to help producers through the current slaughter backlog, investigations into cattle market irregularities, and the response to ICA's 50/14 policy. John Hinners from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) updates us on current beef export numbers and values, and listeners get to eavesdrop on ICA board members' questions about cold storage, boxed beef prices and retail prices.

Holding or Slowing Cattle for Uncertain Market Timing Nutrition strategies overview -- Dan Loy, Iowa Beef Center director  Health concerns with heavy cattle in feedlots – Dan Thomson, ISU animal science department chair  Nutritionist information – Dave Rueber, Innovative Ag Services, Manchester; Dustin Puhrmann, United Farmers Cooperative, Paulina Watch the recording here. Click here for a corresponding fact sheet: Considerations for Slowing Feedlot Cattle Growth due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Managing Feedlot Rations without Ethanol Coproducts   Considerations when using coproducts -- Dan Loy, Iowa Beef Center director  Nutritionist information – Dave Rueber, beef production specialist, Innovative Ag Services; Dustin Puhrmann, beef production specialist, United Farmers Cooperative  Products and commodities available for substitution – Panelists  Strategies currently in use – Panelists   Watch the recording here.