Final All Things Beef Workshop in Marshalltown Set for Feb. 19

Feb 10, 2025

By Chris Clark

Beef producers are invited to attend an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach program to learn about estrus synchronization strategies and the use of artificial insemination of beef cows.

We will cover some options for estrus synchronization, reference the protocols from the Reproductive Task Force and maybe experiment briefly with Iowa State’s Estrus Synchronization Planner," said Chris Clark, beef specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. "Then we plan to talk a little bit about the basics of artificial insemination. This is not an AI certification class with all the hands-on practice, but we will talk through some potential benefits of using AI as well as bovine anatomy and technique. It would be a good primer to get someone ready for an AI certification course."

The All Things Beef workshop, the final one in the Marshalltown series, will be held Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the ISU Extension and Outreach Marshall County Office, located at 2608 S 2nd St., Marshalltown. Please RSVP to Chelsea Llewellyn by email at chelsea@iastate.edu, by phone at 641-752-1551 or by text at 515-421-9345. There is no charge for the workshop. A light supper will be provided.

Source : iastate.edu

Video: WARNING! Rough Start To Breeding Season!!

WARNING! Sheep Breeding Season Begins With A Bang! Breeding season is officially underway at Ewetopia Farms, but it didn’t exactly start the way we planned!

This vlog begins with us sorting through our rams to find the perfect match for a customer’s breeding program. What should have been routine quickly turned dangerous when one of our more nervous rams panicked. In seconds, Arnie’s knee was injured, and then I was slammed hard onto the concrete floor — both of us taken down by one ram!

Thankfully, it was just bruises, but it’s a reminder of how unpredictable and powerful mature rams can be. Once we recovered, it was time to get back to the real work — the start of breeding season.

We sorted the ewes into four breeding groups (two Suffolk and two Dorset), checking parentage as they ran through the chute, deworming those that needed it, and setting aside thinner ewes for session two of breeding season in a month’s time.This staggered approach keeps lambing organized and prevents overcrowding in the barns.

From rogue rams to the excitement of new breeding groups, this episode is full of action. Stay tuned for the next vlog, where we’ll share how we chose the rams for each group!