Finding Links in the Value Chain
Date
2011-02-26
Authors
Ryan, Jeff
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Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference
The Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference is one of the longest running and most successful conferences of its type in the Midwest. For over forty years, the conference has provided an opportunity for producers, researchers, and over 70 industry representatives to come together to explore current topics and issues. This concentrated one-day conference focuses on management and production practices that contribute to making the cow-calf business profitable and competitive on a long-term basis.
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Abstract
Jeff Ryan and his family run a diversified operation in Winneshiek County in northeast Iowa. In addition to a mix of corn and alfalfa, they also operate a cow-calf herd of just under 100 head of commercial cows. The cowherd originated from their dairy operation in the 1970’s. Jeff has been in charge of the beef portion of the operation since age 14 in 1982. That’s when he initiated an artificial insemination program to improve genetics of the cowherd. A scale was added the following year to measure feedlot performance.