Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Clayton and Delaware Counties will partner to host a 5-part educational series this winter in Edgewood. Women in agriculture are invited to "Managing for Today and Tomorrow," a farm transition planning course beginning January 30 at Wood's Edge Golf Course. This multi-session program focuses on business, estate, retirement, and succession planning, equipping participants with the tools to create a transition plan for their operation.

This vital course ensures farms can thrive across generations as productive agricultural businesses. ISU Extension and Outreach Farm Business Management Specialist Joseph Lensing will facilitate the program along with local business professionals and experts.

The sessions will run Thursday evenings January 30, February 6, February 13, February 20 and February 27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Meal and social hour will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Cost is $100 per participant. Online registration is required by visiting https://www.extension.iastate.edu/delaware/managing-today-and-tomorrow-farm-transition-planning-multi-session

For more information contact the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Clayton County Office at 563-245-1451 or email Holly Loan at hloan@iastate.edu

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Driftless Region Beef Conference offered in Dubuque

Denise Schwab

University of Illinois, Iowa State University, and Wisconsin Extension services are working together to offer the thirteenth annual Driftless Region Beef Conference to be held on January 23 and 24, 2025 at the Grand River Convention Center in Dubuque, IA. The aim of the conference is to provide educational sessions for beef producers. The early registration fee of $120 per person must be received prior to midnight on January 10, 2025. After that, the price increases to $145 per person. To register please visit https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/beef/ where you can also find more information on topics, speakers, and lodging.

Thursday will start out with keynote speakers Dr. Derrell Peel from Oklahoma State University and Dr. Troy Rowan from University of Tennessee. Also speaking Thursday will be Dr. Marta Kohmann from the University of Wisconsin.

Rounding out Thursday evening after dinner will be the popular “Bull Pen” discussion featuring a panel of locker plant managers from the Driftless Area sharing their insights and answering questions about marketing beef locally.

Friday morning will start out with a breakfast session on “Challenges and Joys of Family Farm Transitions” where Bruce and Peyton River of Maquoketa, IA will share their experiences on these challenges.

Following the breakfast session, breakout sessions will be offered on a variety of topics. One track will focus on the cow herd while the other focuses more on feedlot aspects.

The cow herd focused sessions this year will be led by Troy Rowan from the University of Tennessee, Marta Kohmann from the University of Wisconsin, Dan Shike from University of Illinois, and Mark Renz from University of Wisconsin.

Troy Rowan will talk about “Crossbreeding: The Beef Industry’s Last Free Lunch”. During this talk Dr. Rowan will talk about balancing the new technologies with the older tried and true approaches. This talk will discuss the basics of crossbreeding, an old tried and true approach, can be used as leverage for commercial herds to build more productive cows and higher-performing calf crops.

Marta Kohmann will talk about “Cow-Calf Operations on Pasture”. Keeping cow-calf operation on pasture is an efficient way to maximize profit and reduce costs. During this talk, Dr. Kohmann will discuss the main pasture management strategies for cow-calf operation success while also looking into approaches to increase forage inventory and length of the grazing season.

Dan Shike will talk about “Impact of Age and Body Weight at Time of Breeding on Heifer Reproductive Success”. Earlier research recommended developing heifers to 65% of mature body weight at time of breeding was best. More recent research has shown that 55% may be adequate and more cost productive. Data suggests that there is an interaction between age and bodyweight relative to heifer reproductive success.

Mark Renz will talk about “Benefits and Options for Shrub Control in Pastures”. The talk delves into the impacts of shrubs on forage productivity in pastures and management options to effectively manage them such as herbicides, goats, manual removal, and integrated approaches.

Finally, to wrap up the conference, everyone will come together again and here Derrell Peel talk on “Cattle Market Outlook: 2025 and Beyond” which encompasses the current cattle market situation and factors affecting producer profitability.

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Updated Data for Decision Makers Reports Released for Iowa’s State, Counties and Cities

Sandra Burke, Esther Crompton

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has released updated Data for Decision Makers reports for the state, counties and cities. Based on data from the American Community Survey for 2019 to 2023, the reports offer detailed insights into household and family income, educational attainment, housing values, rental costs, occupation, employment and poverty measures.

The DDMs are intended to help policymakers and community leaders analyze current conditions, allocate resources and develop policies tailored to local needs.

“These updates ensure that communities are working with the most current and reliable data available,” said Sandra Burke, a sociologist and research scientist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Annual updates like this allow decision makers to track changes over time and adjust their strategies accordingly.”

“These reports make it possible for communities to identify and address pressing issues,” Burke said. “For instance, if housing values and rental costs are rising faster than household incomes, leaders can use that data to prioritize affordable housing initiatives or apply for grants to assist low-income residents. Similarly, income and education data can help local officials understand where economic disparities exist and focus resources where they are most needed.

“Overall, these reports give community leaders the tools they need to understand their current situation and compare it to neighboring communities, counties, the state or U.S. averages. This kind of information is key for identifying strengths, addressing challenges and planning for the future. By understanding how their community compares to others, leaders can prioritize investments in housing or apply for grants to fill gaps,” Burke said.

To access the updated DDM reports, visit the ISU Extension and Outreach Indicators Program website, where you can also find the newly revised County and City Data for Decision Makers User’s Guides for assistance in using the reports.

For more information on the DDM reports, contact Sandra Burke at scburke@iastate.edu or Esther Crompton, communication specialist, at eecrompt@iastate.edu.

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Additional Stories Published Online

The following news releases have been published on the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach website.

1/8/2025 Buelow Named New Natural Resources Field Specialist

After helping to deliver Master Conservationist and other programming for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Polk County in her previous role as natural resources programming coordinator, Gina Buelow is eager to implement these programs statewide in her new role as natural resources field specialist.

1/7/2025 Updated Data for Decision Makers Reports Released for Iowa’s State, Counties and Cities

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has released updated Data for Decision Makers reports for the state, counties and cities. Based on data from the American Community Survey for 2019 to 2023, the reports offer detailed insights into household and family income, educational attainment, housing values, rental costs, occupation, employment and poverty measures.

1/7/2025 See Your Town through New Eyes: Applications Open for First Impressions

What does your town look like through the eyes of a first-time visitor? For Iowa’s small communities, the answer to this question could unlock new opportunities to grow tourism, attract new residents and enrich quality of life. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s First Impressions program is designed to uncover those insights — and community applications are due Jan. 31.

1/7/2025 Set Goal to Care for Yourself with Powerful Tools for Caregivers

With the beginning of a new year, many Iowans make resolutions to achieve their goals. Iowans who would like to take better care of themselves as they provide care for others are encouraged to participate in Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a series of classes offered virtually by ISU Extension and Outreach.

Clayton County Extension Outreach Information

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Driftless Region Beef Conference offered in Dubuque

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