Each winter, producers across Minnesota look forward to one event they know will deliver timely, research-backed, practical information: the annual Cow-Calf Days Seminar Tour and Trade Show hosted by the University of Minnesota Beef Team.

With a 50+ year tradition, Cow-Calf Days continues to be the state’s leading educational outlet for cow-calf producers. The 2026 series once again brought together producers, industry professionals, and researchers for solid, applicable content focused on production management, nutrition, efficiency, and marketing.

A Full University Lineup

As Eric noted during the program, it has been a while since the speaker lineup was entirely from the University of Minnesota — and this year marked a return to that format. Producers benefit from hearing directly from faculty and Extension specialists who are actively conducting research and working with operations across the state.

That connection between research and real-world application is what makes this program stand out. Attendees don’t just hear theory — they leave with tools they can implement.

Practical Information Producers Can Use

Topics throughout the series focused on:

• Production management strategies
• Nutritional efficiency
• Cost control and operational performance
• Marketing considerations in today’s beef environment

The corresponding trade show featured vendors showcasing new technologies, products, and services tailored specifically to the cow-calf sector — providing attendees with additional resources to strengthen their operations.

MNGLCA board member Deb Thooft shared, “I thought that the topics were very relevant to today’s cattle industry. With topics that included the New World Screw Worm, mineral nutrition and economics: high and low producers — definitely worth my time to attend.”

It was encouraging to see strong engagement and thoughtful conversation from producers across the region, reinforcing that Cow-Calf Days continues to deliver practical, timely information that operators can put to work on their farms.

A Statewide Tour

The 2026 Cow-Calf Days series was held at multiple locations across Minnesota:

• January 27 – Staples
• January 27 – Fosston
• January 28 – Lancaster
• January 29 – Iron
• February 9 – Mora
• February 10 – Starbuck
• February 11 – Pipestone
• February 12 – Oronoco
• February 13 – Le Sueur

By hosting events across the state, the University ensures producers from diverse regions and production systems can participate.

Supporting Producer Education

MNGLCA is proud to support this long-standing educational series. Programs like Cow-Calf Days strengthen Minnesota’s grazing and beef community by ensuring producers have access to the latest research, technologies, and management strategies.

Events like this endure for 50+ years for a reason. Producers know they will walk away with relevant information, practical tools, and meaningful connections.