Sustainable beef cow production in Iowa is becoming increasingly important. Producers are growing Iowa’s fed cattle industry and other beef markets, while looking for alternative land uses on acres susceptible to soil erosion.

Volatile grain prices and recreational land use have reduced pasture and forage acres in Iowa by 88% in just two decades, while beef cow numbers in the state have declined only 14%, according to the U.S. Census of Agriculture.

As Iowa beef producers strive to raise more cattle on fewer acres, farmers are trying alternative management strategies.

To help producers determine cost-effective management systems for cow-calf production in the state, Iowa State University...