The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team discussed dairy farm worker health, emphasizing the importance of biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of diseases like avian influenza (H5N1). They highlighted the active influenza season in Iowa, with a vaccination rate of 32%, far below the 70% goal. The team noted the high-risk areas for exposure and stressed the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Resources for biosecurity and health measures were recommended, including the Center for Food Security and Public Health and local public health departments.

Respirators and Fit Testing | Health & Human Services

Information for Farm Workers

Spanish version of Information for Farm Workers

Sioux County Community Health Partners

Center for Food Security and Public Health - https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/ 

The 2025 Dairy Days event, organized by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team, featured discussions on various topics including dairy industry surveys, feed pricing tools, and alternative forages. The event saw a high response rate to the dairy industry survey, with topics like farm transitions, financial sustainability, labor challenges, and beef-dairy integration being widely discussed. Local sponsors, such as Osage Vet Clinic and Alliant Energy, provided support. The team also highlighted the importance of health and safety education for dairy farm workers. A new Hay probe was offered as a prize to a participant who filled out an evaluation form.

Tune into this episode as the Dairy Team speaks with other extension specialist about their topics during Dairy Days!

Learn more about Dairy Days at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/dairyteam/2025-iowa-dairy-days.

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https://go.iastate.edu/ISUDAIRYPODCAST

Listen in as the Dairy Team discusses our upcoming Dairy Days events!

Learn more about Dairy Days at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/dairyteam/2025-iowa-dairy-days

Podcast survey and topic ideas: https://go.iastate.edu/ISUDAIRYPODCAST

Tune in as the Dairy Team discusses the upcoming Farm Transition Conference on February 6-7.

For more information visit https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/farmtransitions/

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Podcast survey and topic ideas: https://go.iastate.edu/ISUDAIRYPODCAST

Don't miss out on some learning opportunities during the early months of 2025.

Get more information about each of the programs here:

Urban Cow

Weather Webinar

Dairy Goat Webinar Series

I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Shortcourse

Got feedback about our podcast or ideas of upcoming topics? Let us know by taking this quick survey!

Tune as we talk about the upcoming farm couple getaway being hosted on Feb. 21-22, 2025 in Dubuque. Madi Skubal, dairy and crop producer, located in southeast Iowa shares her and her husband's experience with the getaway and the take home messages she is still using today.

To learn more about the upcoming getaway check out: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/dairyteam/2025-farm-couple-getaway 

Aspirin has never gone through the process of being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in cattle. However, FDA considered aspirin to be of “low regulatory concern,” so its use in scenarios where a veterinarian determined there to be no other option for treatment was acceptable. The agency has now reversed that stance and released a letter to veterinarians emphasizing that aspirin use in dairy cattle and other food animals is prohibited.

The webinar to view for further information can be found here:

https://youtu.be/fcYVG-mNelo?si=evLWgTgjMJKEglo8

Have topics for another podcast? Let us know here: https://go.iastate.edu/ISUDAIRYPODCAST

Join Extension Dairy Team members as we reflect on 2024 and the events that took place in the dairy industry and what we are looking forward to in 2025!

Have topics for another podcast? Let us know here: https://go.iastate.edu/ISUDAIRYPODCAST

Tune as we discuss details about the Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grant with Iowa Secretary Mike Naig and hear experiences from Iowa dairy producer, Ted Wolf.

Find how this grant could help you support the purchase of labor-reducing technology equipment or on-farm processing equipment. 

Reminder grant deadline is Monday, December 2 at NOON.

Grant details and application can be found here: https://www.chooseiowa.com/grants/dairyinnovation 

Got ideas or questions for upcoming podcast episodes? Share your thoughts with us and we’ll include them in future episodes!

https://go.iastate.edu/ISUDAIRYPODCAST