2026 Three-State Beef Conference: What Producers Need to Know to Stay Ahead in Today’s Beef Industry

By Sherry Hoyer and Erika Lundy-Woolfolk et.al

The Three-State Beef Conference provides beef cattle producers and others in the beef industry with a regular update on current cow-calf and stocker topics. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialists Erika Lundy-Woolfolk and Chris Clark are Iowa organizers of the annual event, and say each year's content is based on prior attendee feedback and current industry economic conditions. The 2026 event is set for Jan. 13–15, at locations in Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska, respectively.

“Emerging threats to cow herd health, new technologies like virtual fencing and herd surveillance systems that are hitting the market, and pressing questions from an economic perspective are at the forefront of cattlemen’s minds,” Lundy-Woolfolk said. "These topics and more will be addressed at this year’s program with the goal of helping producers stay ahead in today’s beef industry."

This marks the 41st anniversary of the Three-State Beef Conference and its track record of providing important timely information to cattle producers. Lundy-Woolfolk said since the conference's Iowa location was moved to Greenfield in 2019, more than 250 producers have attended annually.

“Program evaluations have listed appreciation of the practicality of meeting topics and the sharing of info related to current and ongoing challenges in the industry,” she said. “Last year’s program was really popular, and participants estimated value of knowledge gained at $20 per cow.”

The Iowa location is the second in the series and will be held Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Warren Cultural Center, at 154 Public Square, Greenfield. The first session of the 2026 conference will be held in Maryville, Missouri, at the Agricultural Learning Center, 22893 U.S. Highway 71, on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and the third session is on Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Nebraska Cattlemen office, 4611 Cattle Drive, Lincoln, Nebraska. All locations follow the same schedule, with registration beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the program at 6 p.m.