Commercial bull selection clinic set

The commercial bull selection process continues to be one of the most important decisions made in a beef operation.
Producers, however, can find themselves overwhelmed with the abundance of expected progeny differences (EPDs) and gene markers as they try to find the right bull to fit into their existing herd, or as they work to enhance their herd to meet market demands.
As a result, the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University (ISU) is hosting Iowa Bull Clinics: Selection Decisions 2005 at eight locations throughout the state during January and February. Due an ice-storm, the clinic for Northeast Iowa is Feb. 21 at Kolby's Dine & Stein, 503 W. Milwaukee St., New Hampton, starting at 11 a.m.
The meetings will address three questions: What kind of cattle should be produced in the next 3 to 5 years? How and when should DNA and gene markers be used? How do I target the right EPDs for bull selection?
Speakers include Daryl Strohbehn, professor of Animal Science at ISU; Byron Leu, livestock field specialist in SE Iowa; Russ Euken, livestock field specialist for NC Iowa; and Dale Thoreson, dairy, beef, and forage specialist for NE Iowa.
"With the proliferation of new EPDs, many producers are struggling with which ones mean the most in their breeding programs," said Daryl Strohbehn, professor of animal science at ISU. "Participants will focus on developing breeding program goals and selection directions for their own herds and strategies to reach those goals. We hope that a new computer sire sort program developed by the Iowa Beef Center will help producers in the selection process," Strohbehn concluded. Registration covering the noon meal and materials is $25.00 and is payable at the door. Pre-registration can be done by calling the Chickasaw County Extension at 641-394-2174. For more information, visit the Iowa Beef Center's Web site at www.iowabeef center.org, or contact your local County Extension office or a local ISU Extension beef specialist.