The 39th Annual Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference will be held this Saturday in Ottumwa.
OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The annual event focuses on management and production practices that apply to the cow-calf industry.
Over 70 industry representatives are on hand to discuss current issues and topics, and they attend the break-out sessions throughout the day.
Byron Leu is a Field Specialist for the Iowa State University Extension. He said that planning for this event begins in late summer, when 20 different counties in Iowa and Northern Missouri gather to select topics for each session.
"And we come up and get together and make an effort to come up with what we think the hot topics are going to be, or topics that we should incorporate into the educational program so that starts in the late summer," Leu said.
He also added that around 20 volunteers give their time and effort to coordinate, plan and make the event as strong as it is.
"It's maintained a strong integrity. It's had some great topics and excellent speakers. It's had very strong support from industry sponsors, exhibitors. And it's just been successful because a lot of people are pulling in the same direction," Leu said.
The Cow-Calf Conference is a family event, with exhibits and live farm animals. It takes place this Saturday, from 8 AM to 4 PM at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa.
Admission is $10 per person and includes lunch.