OTTUMWA – The premier educational event in Iowa for cow-calf producers is offering a comprehensive package of information to its 2014 conference.

The Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference begins at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 18 at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa.

Admission is $15, which includes lunch and a copy of the conference proceedings. No preregistration is necessary.

The event has provided timely, accurate information to the state’s beef cattle industry for more than 40 years.

“The Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference,” said Iowa State University Extension beef program specialist Patrick Wall, “has been successful because it provides information on current topics relevant to cow-calf producers in Iowa.

“The steering committee has put together a program of industry experts that can help producers grow the Iowa beef herd responsibly and profitably.”

The 2014 program targets a variety of topics designed to help producers meet their production goals.

From genetic selection to cover crop options and heifer development, professionals from universities and private industry, as well as cow-calf producers in the Midwest, will lead these sessions and offer attendees valuable information to put into practice on their farms.

According to Wall, three keynote speakers – internationally recognized author Dave Robison of Indiana; Lee Leachman, manager of Leachman Cattle, of Colorado; and Brian Heudepohl, of Williamsburg Veterinary Clinic – will talk about profit potential of cover crops, expertise on blending composite breeds and heifer development programs and protocols to help producers expand their operations.

Afternoon break-out sessions include:

A.) A panel discussion with individual focus on baleage harvesting, storage and cow economics, featuring Jeremy Erdmann, senior design engineer for John Deere’s Hay and Forage Platform; Dave Robison, of Legacy Seeds Inc., and Patrick Gunn, ISU Extension cow-calf specialist.

B). A risk management discussion with Ryan Drollette, an ISU Extension farm management specialist and Tony Latcham, of Son Risk Management.

C). Wall will target cow-share agreements for beginning or young farmers.

The 2014 conference at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa begins with registration at 8 a.m. and the event opens at 9:30 a.m., followed by two general session speakers then lunch and exhibit viewing.

The afternoon begins with a general session speaker in the auditorium, followed by two break-out sessions with four choices.