Secretary Mike Naig joins us again to talk about efforts to connect hungry Iowans with market-ready cattle through the Beef Up Iowa program. Click here to find out more.

This episode also features Part 2 of Dr. Brandon Koch's webinar presentation on pasture management and mineral needs of cattle on pasture. 

Transparency, price discovery and leverage. All three panelists agree on the problem, but they have different views on possible solutions.

This episode is a replay of a live webinar from June 17 focused on efforts to level the playing field and rectify the imbalance of price discovery across cattle feeding regions and operation sizes. Find out what the panelists think about government mandates, packer accountability, and how current proposals could affect the industry longer-term.

On this week's episode, Matt Deppe gives cattlemen an update on Packers and Stockyards and Department of Justice investigations into beef packers, Dr. Brandon Koch from Kent Feeds shares pasture management advice (including advice for fescue), and Iowa State Fair CEO Gary Slater talks to us about the "postponement" of this year's fair.

Watch Dr. Koch's full presentation here.

Register for next week's cattle market webinar with Corbitt Wall, Brad Kooima and Jordan Levi here.

Get to know ICA's new Cow-Calf Council Chairman, Bryan Reed. Bryan shares his experience with cover crops and fence law and weighs in on the threats to the future of the cattle industry, including vertical integration and possible future lack of price discovery in feeder markets.

Jeff Stolle from Nebraska Cattlemen gives a run-down of the subscription-only Market Reporting Service, used by 300 feedlots in the midwest. Click here for more info: https://www.iacattlemen.org/ica-programs/market-reporting-service

Matt Deppe also gives a brief update on ICA's summer events.

Governor Reynolds celebrates May Beef Month and visits with us about her efforts to assist the cattle industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

You'll also hear from ICA staff members Matt Deppe and Kate Fulk.

Finally, the details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (direct payments for farmers) have been released, and ICA's Northwest Iowa Membership Coordinator, Tanner Lawton gives listeners the run-down.

Dr. Lee Schulz, Iowa State University, reviews current slaughter numbers and weights, Brad Kooima talks to RFD-TV's Market Day Report, and Matt Deppe talks about upcoming ICA events. 

This episode of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association podcast is dedicated to Senator Chuck Grassley's bill aimed at increased transparency in the cattle markets. Hear the senator's remarks from the Senate floor, the ICA board's questions about the bill, and get to know ICA's Feedlot Council Chairman, Dustin Purhmann and the history of ICA's efforts to increase cash trade and leverage for producers.

Senator Chuck Grassley has been working closely with the Iowa Cattlemen's Association staff and leaders regarding the need for more negotiated cash trade in the fed cattle markets. Today, he introduced a bill mandating that a minimum of 50% of purchases by packers be negotiated and that cattle be delivered to the plant within 14 days.

Read more about the bill here.

This episode of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association podcast includes an update from ICA CEO Matt Deppe on a proposed program designed to help producers through the current slaughter backlog, investigations into cattle market irregularities, and the response to ICA's 50/14 policy.

John Hinners from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) updates us on current beef export numbers and values, and listeners get to eavesdrop on ICA board members' questions about cold storage, boxed beef prices and retail prices.

• Nutrition strategies overview -- Dan Loy, Iowa Beef Center director 
• Health concerns with heavy cattle in feedlots – Dan Thomson, ISU animal science department chair 
• Nutritionist information – Dave Rueber, Innovative Ag Services, Manchester; Dustin Puhrmann, United Farmers Cooperative, Paulina

Watch the recording here.

Click here for a corresponding fact sheet: Considerations for Slowing Feedlot Cattle Growth due to the COVID-19 Pandemic