What the Iowa Cattle Industry Convention Is
The Iowa Cattle Industry Convention is the yearly gathering of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA), the grassroots organization supporting Iowa's beef cattle industry. It is built for networking and learning, and it welcomes cattle producers and industry supporters, from newcomers to experienced professionals. All members and prospective members are encouraged to attend. The most recent edition was held Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Meadows Event Center in Altoona.
What Happens at the Convention
- Keynote: Kevin Good of CattleFax, with more than 30 years at CattleFax, gave an industry situation update and outlook on beef markets.
- Breakout sessions: more than nine, in three rounds, on topics from influencing the plate, conservation in a cow-calf operation and water quality, to beef market innovation, the beef supply chain, evaluating new research, uncertain times in a cattle business and Next Gen financing and leadership.
- Tradeshow: more than 30 industry partners, nearly sold out in 2025.
- ICA Annual Meeting: members vote on and ratify policy recommendations from the ICA Policy Summit held in September.
- Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) Annual Meeting: held first thing in the morning.
- Dinner, awards and auction: the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation Auction, with proceeds supporting youth and other foundation programs, followed by live entertainment from Neil Hewitt. A beef pairing experience and an industry social round out the day.
Classrooms to Cattle: A Free Track for Students
Classrooms to Cattle is an educational track for juniors, seniors and college students interested in careers in the cattle industry. Admission is free and space is limited. It is supported by the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation and Farm Credit Services.
How the Day Runs
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | IBIC Annual Meeting |
| 8:30 a.m. | Registration and tradeshow open |
| 9:30 a.m. | Welcome |
| 10:00 a.m. | Keynote |
| 11:15 a.m. | Breakout sessions, round 1 |
| 12:15 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:45 p.m. | Breakout sessions, round 2 |
| 2:45 p.m. | Breakout sessions, round 3 |
| 4:15 p.m. | ICA Annual Meeting |
| 5:15 p.m. | Tradeshow reception |
| 6:30 p.m. | Dinner and awards |
| 8:00 p.m. | Entertainment, Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation Auction and music |
Tradeshow time is built in during the breaks. Times are from the 2025 agenda and may change for the next edition.
Who Speaks
Besides the keynote, the 2025 program included speakers from AgSpire, Farm Credit Services (two Next Gen financing sessions), the Iowa Department of Agriculture, Walmart, NCBA, HighYield Strategies, Balance4Ward and Upper Iowa Beef, plus dietitian and producer panels and a farm-to-table panel. Kelli Kink spoke for the ICA.
Where
Meadows Event Center, Altoona, Iowa.
How to Register
Registration and event details are on the Iowa Cattlemen's Association website, on its Iowa Cattle Industry Convention page. The tradeshow opens at 8:30 a.m. with registration.
Questions
Is it only for ICA members?
No. Members and prospective members are both encouraged to attend.
Can students attend?
Yes. The Classrooms to Cattle track is free for juniors, seniors and college students interested in the cattle industry, but space is limited.
What is voted on?
At the ICA Annual Meeting, members vote on and ratify the policy recommendations from the September Policy Summit.
Is lunch and dinner included?
The agenda lists lunch at 12:15 p.m. and dinner and awards at 6:30 p.m. Check the registration page for what your ticket covers.
Official Links
- Iowa Cattlemen's Association: Iowa Cattle Industry Convention: registration and event details
- Iowa Farm Bureau: convention set for Dec. 16 in Altoona
- Western Iowa Today: convention announcement
- KLEM: convention set for December: agenda and sessions
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and County Leadership Conference
Iowa Farm Bureau members meet for the annual meeting and county leadership conference at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines, December 8-9, 2026.
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FFA members enter livestock and static classes including beef, dairy, sheep, swine, goats, horse, poultry and rabbit at the Iowa State Fair, with online entries. Held each year during fair week; the 2027 fair is August 12-22.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.