ORANGE CITY, Iowa - The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team will host its annual Dairy Directions Series January 7 in Sac City and January 8 in Pocahontas.

The series will focus on four topics: Cyber security and AI on the farm, a Water outlook, A commodity outlook plus what’s going on at the ISU dairy; and a review of dairy markets.

“For years dairy producers have been a leader on using technology on the farm and now we have to learn how to protect our investments against cyber-attacks,” said Fred Hall, Northwest Iowa Dairy Specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “We will also review how climate change is effecting our available water, get an update on the commodity market, hear what’s going on at the ISU dairy plus take a look at the milk markets.”

Alexis Stevens, Iowa State University and Outreach Extension farm management specialist for 11 counties in west central Iowa will present on cyber security and AI on the farm. Her presentation will help to strengthen the digital protections in place for farm businesses and families

Dr. Matt Helmers is the dean’s professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University, where he has been on the faculty since 2003. He will discus what changes are being seen in available water in Northwest Iowa.

Russell “Rusty” Burgett as the new Farms Director and Assistant Professor of Practice. With his extensive background working in research and academia, he will share what’s happening on the ISU dairy both on the production side and what research is being currently being done.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialist Fred Hall will address the milk market and what is being discussed concerning the federal orders.

Both days will feature the same program from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., so dairy producers, heifer growers and agribusiness personnel can select the date and location that works best for them - either the ISU Extension and Outreach Sac County office in Sac City on Dec. 13 or the ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County office in Pocahontas on Dec. 14. Registration will open at 9:30 a.m. each day.

There is no charge to attend either program thanks to sponsorship from the county Extension offices however, preregistration is requested to plan adequately for meals and materials. To register for the January 7 Sac City session, call 712-662-7131; for the January 8 Pocahontas session, call 712-335-3103, or register on-line at: https://go.iastate.edu/DIRECTIONS25