Leadership Program kicks off 2023 with education and team building session

The 2023 Iowa Cattlemen’s Leadership Program kicked off the program with their first session on January 11-12, 2023, at the Iowa Cattle Industry Headquarters in Ames. The goal of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (ICLP) is to develop future leaders of Iowa’s cattle industry. The program is an initial opportunity to be more active in the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, and perhaps form future leaders of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA). Participants undergo training and educational seminars to enhance their communications skills, strengthen their awareness of the legislative process, and diversify their knowledge of the Iowa and U.S. beef cattle industries. We are excited to have a new class begin the program and look forward to seeing what they all accomplish in the upcoming year.

The group started their evening with a meal and full night of education from all levels of the Iowa Cattle Industry Headquarters leadership. Casey Anderson with the Iowa Beef Industry Council gave background of the Iowa Beef Checkoff goals and connection to the industry. Mary Greiman also introduced the group to the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation and explained their contributions to building future leaders in the beef industry here in Iowa.

ICA president, Bob Noble, spoke about how he got involved with the association followed by Matt Deppe informing the group on the structure and function of ICA. Matt broke down the history of how the organization came to be, the policies the Iowa Cattlemen’s have been able to weigh in on and influence so far, and a look forward at the things the association is paying attention to in this coming year. The group wrapped the night up with a social and icebreaker Jenga game.

The second day started off strong with some friendly competition team building exercises, followed by a tour of Iowa State University’s (ISU) Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL). The group heard from Dr. Pat Halbur, Dr. Roger Main, Dr. Katie Woodard, Dr. Chris Siepker and Scott Radke on the functions of each branch in the VDL. The class was able to tour all types of laboratories in the world-renowned testing center including pharmacology, bacteriology, molecular, pathology, parasitology, serology, toxicology and virology. Tests are overnighted to the lab and results are often completed within 24 hours allowing for producers to make educated decisions when facing disease challenges. The top notch employees work to not only provide test results, but also provide solutions to producers. Especially in times of high costs, testing is helpful to see exactly what treatments/antibiotics can be effective in order to avoid expensive, wasteful treatment costs. Employees at the VDL are also able to impact the industry through research. They are able to analyze the data coming through and work to fill gaps in the industry. ISU’s VDL is especially unique as most labs don’t have a toxicologist. There are only 10 toxicologists in a diagnostic lab setting in the country.

Dr. Halbur reiterated that through legislative support they are able to provide full service to the livestock industry. Phase 1 of the new VDL is slated to be completed in fall of 2023, and Phase 2 to begin in 2023 as well. The ISU VDL is able to stay at the leading edge with these additions and continued reinvestment in technology. Participants saw the impact and importance of this facility and staff not only to Iowa’s beef industry, but livestock sectors all around the world. Support of this facility is something that ICA has always stood behind, and getting an insight into their work was a reassurance of the importance of this support.

The next session will be held Feb. 14-15, 2023. Participants will get an introduction to government and policy by advocating for Iowa’s beef business at the State Capitol.

2023 Iclp Class

The 2023 class members include: Briana Ver Steegh, Calvin Hartz, Cody Thoreson, Collin Julius, Drew Johnson, Ethan Lambert, Josh Woods, Kevin Butt, Kourtney Jimmerson, Kristi Carpenter, Mary Slykhuis, Morgan Johnson, Tayler Granberg and Victoria Nederhoff.

"Markets" from pg 8

Remember, domestic and global debt must be paid at some point and if it cannot be repaid then the system will have to ‘reset’. How is the entire system ‘reset’? We are not sure. Time will tell. Until then you need to have hedge accounts in place to hedge asset classes’ that your gut and objective and outside financial sources confirm.

Take a few minutes right now and simply contact Michelle White at 312.756.0931 here at our Fox Group office at the Chicago Board of Trade Monday through Friday 9am to 430pm CST and share your email address with her and she will help you receive on a complimentary basis for two full months by email the sundry market advisories sent by us. You can also email Michelle White at mwhite@tradewithfox.com and give her your email address to accomplish same. And remember, hedging livestock and grain needs and fuel needs with Exchange positions still has risk of loss and is not suitable for all livestock producers and investors who desire to hedge their operational needs. Also know that educational teleconferences with your team and bankers can be done late afternoon or in person here in Chicago on Saturday’s.

Ask your banker what he thinks and he is likely to agree that if no one is hedging right now then you probably should be, provided it is done with reasonable and carefully structured risk management tools here at our firm’s office at Chicago Board of Trade on Jackson and LaSalle. n

WEBR REVIVAL 203 | REG: 4665863

WEBR RED REVIVAL 78H x BIEBER HARD DRIVE Y120

The rst sons of Red Revival 78H will sell, they are one of the most exciting groups of herd bull prospects we have raised to date!

WEBR BRANDO 248 | REG: 4665893

RED SIX MILE BRANDO 666C x PELTON WIDELOAD 78B

The Brando sons have been approved by the most discriminating cowboys; this sire group comes loaded for bear again in 2023!

WEBR REVIVAL 258 | REG: 4665855

WEBR RED REVIVAL 78H x LSF SRR TAKEOVER 5051C

Red Revival saw some of the best cows on the ranch, so you can trust that the maternal power behind each one of his sons is potent.

WEBR COWBOY KIND 236 | REG: 4665775

PIE THE COWBOY KIND 343 x BROWN INCREDABULL Z7277

Long spined, big backed and burly in his kind. He is a full brother to the high selling female from the 2021 Ripple E ect.

WEBR BRANDO 289 | REG: 4665877

RED SIX MILE BRANDO 666C x LSF SRR TAKEOVER 5051C

These dense and dark cherry red Brando sons are the dual purpose kind, they sire feeder cattle that weigh heavy, and stamps his replacement heifers with longevity!

WEBR DOMINION 2124 | REG: 4665737

RED U2 DOMINION x WEBR TC CARD SHARK 1015

The Dominion cattle pound the scales down, you can trust them to add pro t to your cowherd with massive additions of payweight.

WEBR STOCKMARKET 206 | REG: 4665941

BIEBER CL STOCKMARKET E119 x COLLIER BRILLIANCE R500

One of the most impressive calving ease prospects we have raised to date, he comes an EPD package that ranks him among the breeds elite!

WEBR DECLARE 254 | REG: 4665769

WEBR DECLARE 59H x PZC TMAS FIREBOLT 3397A

The freshman class of WEBR Declare 59H sons will impress, they have a great look and are built with extra power!

WEBR WIDE RANGE 273 | REG: 4665937

CALVO WIDE RANGE 155E x PIE THE COWBOY KIND 343

Calving ease stud that accelerated towards weaning and has matured with impressive shape and explosiveness.

A very special and loyal customer of Livestock Plus. Dean has run an ad in every Livestock Plus issue since the beginning. I have watched this professional salesperson in action many times. He could figure out his clientele in a matter of seconds. He could be gruff to a gruff old farmer, or very patient to the laid back rancher or pretty weekend cowgirl, he could change his personality in seconds to relate to his client to make the sale. Ol’ Dean won’t be duplicated, a special man, with special talents, and a respect for people. Rest in peace, Dean.

With deepest sympathy, Dean Earl Bettis, age 73, passed away peacefully after battling cancer and mild dementia on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at his residence, under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice.

Memorials may be directed to Service Chapel Cemetery, Trinity United Methodist Church or the Monroe County Fairgrounds.

Dean was born on March 17, 1949 at St. Joseph’s hospital in Ottumwa to Donald G. and Barbara Lucille (Kaldenberg) Bettis. He grew up on the family farm. He graduated from Albia High School, class of 1967. He joined the Army National Guard. He married Julie Johnson on September 7, 1968 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Albia.

Dean’s passion was agriculture and he purchased his grandparents farm. He also worked at John Morrell’s, Chicago Rivet, Pella Corp, started B & B Equipment which is still in operation. He was a state fair exhibitor for many years and won many awards for top sales. He also became a realtor at the age of fifty.

He was Monroe County Fair board President for twentyfive years. He was inducted into the Farm Bureau Hall of Fame and also received the Agri Business Award. He received the Hall of Fame Award honoring Monroe County Cattleman, inducted into the 4H Hall of Fame and he received the Merit Service Award from the Albia Chamber of Commerce.

WE ARE CATTLEMEN FIRST AND FOREMOST. It defines who we are and what we do. Our team has over 100 years of combined cattle experience and it shows in everything we design, build and do. We understand cattle and cattle people like no one else in the business.

Let us help you:

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Commentary

Hats Off

by Austin Sorensen

Days are getting longer and baby calves are getting bigger! The first of March is always such a fun time as we begin to think of summer and cows on grass as well as our favorite warm weather activities! I was sitting here writing this as my dad and I are headed up to Werning Cattle Company’s production sale after another good run of weekend sales!

As a young kid, I always enjoyed sales with my dad whether it be weekend club calf hunting or, as I got older, going to production sales to find our next Simmental female or herd sire. Needless to say, life gets busy between working sales and running cows. It’s hard to pick up and go all the time but what a fun quick trip this has been to Emery, SD. It truly reminds me of all the times we would do this when I was younger. Study the catalog and videos, make the drive so excited about the cattle, then leave either thrilled with our purchase or disappointed we did not get what we came to buy.

Either way, my favorite part about these trips in the past and even the one we are taking today is my dad and I spend the whole ride home talking about cows, life and our cow business. No matter whether we got something purchased or spent the whole day on the road to go home empty handed we always enjoy the trip!

I remember being very young and saying “Dad, we need to spend every Saturday like this!” He would say, “some day life will get busy and you’ll have your own family, but I sure enjoy hearing you say that now.” As he usually is, dad was right and we don’t get to do this as often as we would like. What a blessing it is when we do get the chance to go. It has come full circle now as I so much enjoy seeing my son Jensen light up when he gets to go look at cows. Every day I’m hopeful that the three of us will be able to make these trips at least a couple times a year to enjoy good cattle and company for years to come. This month my hat goes off to my dad! As always if you need any assistance marketing your livestock please do not hesitate to give me or any of our team a call!

God bless,

Austin Sorensen • 712-310-3788 aust.sorensen@gmail.com www.livestockplusinc.com