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Iowa’s cattle feeding industry on the rebound
Iowa’s cattle feeding industry is on a roll.
The most recent cattle of feed report showed there were one-point-two million head of cattle on feed in the state. That’s a 67 percent increase from where it was just three years ago.
Veteran Nevada, Iowa cattle feeder Bill Couser says the ready availability of the ethanol co-product, distillers grains, is a big factor. Couser, who is also a partner in the ethanol plant at Nevada, uses up to 85 percent distillers grains in his feed rations.
“Iowa is the place to come now to feed cattle,” Couser says. “With these co-products and with the least-cost rationing that we can do today, it’s amazing how we can put the gain on these cattle for the price that we can.”
Another reason for optimism going forward, Couser says, is an improved working relationship with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “We finally have a DNR today that we’ve been able to sit down with—we’ve been able to write legislation together, which is the first time in history,” he says. “Sure we’re going to have rules and regulations—but I want clean water and clean air, too.”
In Couser’s words, “the stars have lined up” for cattle feeding in Iowa.
“What a great time in the industry to be able to bring this cattle business back to Iowa.”
As an example of Iowa’s cattle feeding growth, Couser points to his own situation–he is expanding his feeding operation and his son is returning to the family business.
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