Extension, Teaching & Outreach
At the Beef Teaching Farm there is the opportunity to participate in a variety of programs. Producers, students, and people from around the world visit regularly. Armed with the use of new technology as well as established practices, the farm is able to make recommendations on the practicality and usefulness of new production practices in the cattle industry.
Artificial Insemination (AI) and Embryo Transfer (ET)
Both of the cow herds take advantage of the most elite genetics available. AI and ET are used extensively to get the most earning potential out of the cows. The synchronization protocol is the use of a GNRH injection on day zero and a prostaglandin injection one week later. Artificial insemination is based on visual heat detection. Iowa State University's embryology center, headed by Jim West, DVM, places the embryos one week after the observed heat. Cows and heifers are short cycled if they did not respond the first time in order to give every cow and heifer a chance to raise valuable genetics. The farm also has AI schools, taught by Genex CRI, available to students and producers four times a year. If you have an interest, please contact Marshall Ruble at 515-292-2735. The ISU Deparmtment of Animal Science offers the only undergraduate ET class in the country which is taught by Dr Curt Youngs.
Management Intensive Grazing (MIG)
The concept of "Rotational Grazing" was implemented early in its development at ISU. Research began in 1987 on a variation of this idea and has been used ever since. Management Intensive Grazing works on the concept of increasing stocking rate through intensive management of forage resources. Rotations of every other day, every three days, and once a week have been researched. Currently, the grazing is rotated every day based on the time of year and forage availability. The spring cows graze on 56 acres of paddocks ranging from four to seven acres. Most of the brome pastures have been reseeded and alfalfa has been added to the grass resulting in less dependence on nitrogen. Fertilization continues to be done at a split rate of nitrogen totaling 130 pounds per acre on the grass fields. If growing conditions are ideal, grazing can take place from May 1 through September 20, with a cow-calf pair on 6/10 of an acre. Call the farm if you want to observe the cattle - several tours are given each summer.
Production Sale
The pride and hard work that have gone into this purebred herd have resulted in seven successful production sales. Every sale assembles the best heifers, bred heifers and cows the farm has to offer. In 2009, 40 head of females were offered in conjunction with the yearly private treaty bull sale. Students have the opportunity to take a hands-on approach with the sale. A Beef Seedstock Merchandising class gives 20-25 students the opportunity to take part in every aspect of a production sale. The class meets during the fall semester to coordinate with Marshall Ruble, herdsman, and Professor Brad Skaar. Students are in charge of design and preparation of the catalog, facilities set up, cattle preparation, and sale day procedures. To complete the class, students develop a follow up questionnaire to evaluate the sale acceptability to the public. See an example of the sales flyer.
Ultrasound
The farm's cattle, facilities, and faculty were instrumental in developing a carcass evaluation model currently used in the industry.
Ultrasound certification is offered each June and 50 technicians are tested. During the year ultrasound training is held in conjunction with one of the two Ames ultrasound companies. Ultrasound is also used to evaluate pregnancy and to determine the sex of the fetuses. Students have the opportunity to use the machines during both pregnancy evaluation and reproduction labs.
