‘Growing Your Livestock Farm’ Workshop Offered December 6

11-26-2013 in Events

West Des Moines, Iowa – November 26, 2013 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) is partnering with Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Swine Industry Center to host a workshop for farmers interested in adding livestock to their farm.

The workshop will be held December 6 from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. at the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Cherokee.

“Livestock is a great way to add diversification to existing Iowa farms, but is also a great way for young farmers to get started,” CSIF Field Coordinator Kent Mowrer said. “However, putting up a new livestock or poultry barn isn’t easy. CSIF offers many resources to help farmers through that process. We are excited to partner with ISU Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Swine Industry Center to help farmers understand the many resources out there to help them through the decision-making process.”

Space is limited and pre-registration is requested. Please call the Cherokee County Extension and Outreach office at 712-225-6196 to register.

The full release from ISU Extension and Outreach is below:

Expanding Livestock Farming in Your Future? 

Contact: Dave Stender, Swine Field Specialist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 712-261-0225 or dstender@iastate.edu

Cherokee, Iowa – Building or expanding your livestock operation is a good way to bring a son or daughter back into the farming operation.  It takes more work and offers additional income opportunity which is how most young people get their foot in the door to start a farm.  A livestock building or facility is a permanent addition that is very hard to move, care must be taken to where it is located.

In the past, the livestock was always located near the house so that there were few steps to take to care for them.  Only a century ago farmers in Europe and the United States lived with their livestock in house/barn combination buildings.  Today regulations, land available for manure application and neighbor relations are the important considerations.

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach, Iowa Swine Industry Center and the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers is planning a program for farmers who are considering building or expanding livestock facilities in Northwest Iowa on December 6 at the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Cherokee. The workshop will run from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.

The topics of the program will discuss what a producer should know before they start building or expanding a livestock farm.  It is important to select the most neighbor/environmentally friendly location for the facility, to be aware of and accurately complete all components of the permitting process and to understand the potentially wide variation in manure value.

Dave Stender, ISU Swine Field Specialist will discuss the value of manure.  Today’s swine nutritionist is able to change the nutrient content of manure substantially.  Because the first manure plan must be based from book values, a basic understanding of how swine diets impact manure nutrient value is essential.

Kris Kohl, ISU Extension and Outreach Ag engineer, will discuss various regulations and give insights regarding the process of siting in a new livestock facility. The Internet today has many free sites that can be explored to measure distances to optimize locating the sites.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers will outline the services they offer for farmers to maintain good community relationships so that livestock farms maintain good reputation in Iowa.

Space is limited. Please call the Cherokee County Extension and Outreach office to register at 712-225-6196. See this and more area programs at www.extension.iastate.edu/cherokee. Extension and Outreach connects Iowans to Iowa State University’s academic programs and scientists. We’re working to make sure Iowa State becomes the university that best serves its state.

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