Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference 2025 focuses on marketing, management

The Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference (CCCC), Iowa’s premier educational event for Iowa’s cow-calf sector is gearing up for its 53rd year, and the program set for Jan. 25, 2025, will certainly continue that tradition. The Bridge View Center in Ottumwa will host the event, and admission will continue to be free thanks to trade show vendors that will fill the exhibit hall.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist Patrick Wall said attendees will want to attend the presentations.

“Our keynote speaker should be a unique draw for attendees," he said, "I’m excited to hear what Joe Leathers has to say about managing the 6666 Ranch, and the new transitions in ranch marketing under Yellowstone producer Taylor Sheridan’s ownership."

The morning will kick off with a topic often ignored by producers, “Optimizing Natural Service,” from Dr. Joe Dalton at the University of Idaho. The focus then shifts to the female side with Dr. Troy Rowan from the University of Tennessee talking about “Maternal Genetics for Longevity.” Following the presentation from Joe Leathers, general manager for the 6666 Ranch, lunch will be served.

Wall, who also is program coordinator for the CCCC, said a new interactive event is part of this year's event.

"As attendees enter, they will be asked to describe how they buy a bull. Then, a broker will attempt to ‘buy’ them a bull in a mock online bull sale based on their budget and the needs of their operation," he said. "Participants will find out what bull they ‘bought’ during the noon hour."

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Wall said this exercise winds up being a very educational tool that often opens the eyes of commercial producers, because what they describe their operation needs is not always what they end up buying.

Afternoon break-out sessions hit more pertinent topics. Producer Jake Hlas will describe how he utilizes tagging technology in his own operation to better manage his herd. ISU extension ag climatolog specialist Madelynn Wuestenberg will help producers better understand Iowa’s extended climate forecast, by using past weather data from the state. ISU extension cow-calf specialist Randie Culbertson will attempt to answer the most popular question from Iowa producers right now: Should I expand?

Doors open at 8 a.m., and the educational program starts at 9 a.m. Again, admission is free and this event is open to the public. No preregistration is necessary. See more information on the conference website .