Cow-Calf Research Summary
Supported by the Iowa State Beef Checkoff, these cow-calf research highlights offer practical strategies to boost herd performance and resource efficiency. This sheet summarizes key findings help producers enhance cow and calf productivity through dry-lot housing and cover crop grazing systems.
Winter Feeding For Cows
2024
Dr. Anna Menezes
South Dakota State University
Winter feeding of high-forage versus corn-based diets in pregnant beef cows: Effects on offspring performance, milk production, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Effects of Housing cow-calf Pairs
2020
Dr. Daniel Shike
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Effects of housing cow-calf pairs in dry-lots versus pasture during summer on cow and calf performance.
Grazing Cover Crops
2019
Erika Lundy-Woolfolk
Iowa Beef Center
Evaluating performance and economics of cover crop grazing vs. dry-lot systems in fall-calving cow-calf pairs.
More Research Results:
Gain & Performance
Highlights practical strategies to improve feed efficiency, carcass quality and cattle performance—with summaries to help producers make data-driven decisions.
Herd Health
Highlights practical insights to improve cattle well-being, performance and profitability—supporting informed decision-making across all sectors of the cattle industry.
Reproduction & Genetics
Highlights valuable insights to enhance herd productivity and reproductive success—supporting informed decision-making to improve breeding outcomes and overall herd performance.