Checkoff Dollars at Work: Research That Delivers Results

Putting Research to Work: Practical Insights for Cow-Calf Producers from the Iowa State Beef Checkoff 

In today’s ever-evolving beef industry, staying ahead means doing more than just working harder — it means working smarter. That’s exactly what Iowa’s beef producers are doing through their investment in Beef Checkoff-funded research. This quarter, we’re featuring two research projects that deliver practical, field-tested insights that Iowa cow-calf producers can put to use right now. Funded through the Iowa State Beef Checkoff, these studies were designed with producers in mind — rooted in real-world conditions and focused on solving everyday production challenges. From housing strategies for cow-calf pairs to evaluating cost-effective winter feeding programs, these projects reinforce how innovation, when backed by solid data, leads to smarter decisions at the farm level.

1. Housing Cow-Calf Pairs: Evaluating Options for Health and Growth 

 📄 Research Title: Effects of Housing Cow-Calf Pairs in a Confined Facility or on Pasture

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When it comes to housing cow-calf pairs, producers face a range of options — and each comes with tradeoffs. This study looked at how housing method impacts calf health, performance, and labor efficiency by comparing pasture-raised pairs to those housed in a confined facility with a bedded pack. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Improved Calf Health and Gain in Confinement: Calves raised in a confined facility with a bedded pack gained more weight and had reduced illness compared to those raised on pasture. This suggests confined housing, when managed properly, can be a viable option — especially when pasture access is limited or unpredictable due to weather. 
• Labor Efficiency and Management Control: Confined housing provided more control over the feeding environment and made it easier to monitor animal health, administer treatments, and manage cow-calf interactions. While not a one-size-fits-all solution, it opens doors for producers looking to optimize management with limited acres.

2. Making Winter Feeding Work: Comparing Systems for Cost and Cow Condition 

📄 Research Title: A Comparison of Three Winter Beef Cow Feeding Systems in Southern Iowa 

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Winter feeding is one of the largest costs in cow-calf production. This study compared three common feeding strategies in southern Iowa — drylot feeding with stored forages, winter grazing with supplementation, and bale grazing — to see which systems offered the best balance of cost, labor, and cow performance. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Bale Grazing Offers Lower Costs Without Compromising Condition: Cows maintained similar body condition scores across all systems, but bale grazing consistently delivered lower input costs — particularly in labor and equipment use. For operations looking to trim winter expenses, bale grazing offers a promising option. 
• Winter Grazing With Supplementation Delivers a Strong ROI: While slightly more labor-intensive than bale grazing, winter grazing combined with strategic supplementation provided excellent cow condition at a moderate cost. This system offers flexibility and a good balance between inputs and performance for producers with available forage acres.

Checkoff Dollars at Work: Research That Delivers Results 

These research projects are just two examples of how Iowa’s Beef Checkoff program is turning producer dollars into valuable knowledge. Whether it’s identifying cost-effective feeding strategies or testing new approaches to animal housing, the Checkoff-funded research program is focused on helping producers across all sectors make more informed, profitable decisions. At the end of the day, this isn’t research for the sake of research. It’s innovation with purpose — designed by cattlemen, for cattlemen. That’s the power of Iowa’s Beef Checkoff.

👉 Want to read the full studies and explore more resources for your operation? Visit www.iabeef.org/research to learn more.