The annual Iowa State University (ISU) Rhodes Research and Demonstration Farm field day will be held Tuesday, July 9, from 4:30-8:30 p.m. This event gives farmers, ranchers, and other ag professionals a firsthand view of current research and demonstration projects. Barry Dunn, a range livestock production specialist, South Dakota State University, is the keynote speaker. He will present "Factors that Make a Difference in Cow-Calf Profits."

Attendees may choose to attend three of seven breakout sessions. The breakout session topics are as follows:

• Selecting Cattle for Quality or Retail Product--Managing Fat
• Carcass vs. Ultrasound--Measures to Predict Percent Retail Product
• Grazing Effects on Erosion and Phosphorus Losses in Pasture Runoff
• Update on Hoop Swine Production and Nutrient Losses and Gas Emissions from Swine Hoop Structures
• Forage Variety Grazing Trials and Forage Species for Beef Cattle: Questions and Answers
• Breeding for Grain Quality (Feeding Value) in Corn
• Culling Decisions for 1st Calf Heifers

The field day will take place rain or shine. Registration starts promptly at 4:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:00 p.m., courtesy of the Marshall County Cattlemen. Door prizes will be awarded at the end of the event.

For directions to the field day from Rhodes in Marshall County, travel 2 miles south on Canfield Avenue, 1 mile west on 320th Street, and 1/2 mile south to the Farm Office area. From Highway 330, travel 1/2 mile north on Binford Avenue or 1 mile west on 320th Street and 1/2 mile south to the Farm Office area.

For more field day information, contact your local county extension office; John Kennicker, ISU Extension crops field specialist at (515) 382-6551; or Ron Sealock, ISU Farm Superintendent, Rhodes Research and Demonstration Farm at (641) 493-2653, or see the Web sites http://www.ag.iastate.edu/farms/fielddays.html and http://www.ag.iastate.edu/farms/rhodes.html