The Iowa State University Animal Science Department is playing host to a two-day conference about changing the standard nutrient requirements in beef cattle.

The conference, which runs today and tomorrow at Scheman Building, will be broadcast by satellite to 38 sites in 25 states and four Canadian provinces, said Daryl Strohbehn, professor of Animal Science and coordinator of the symposium.

About 1500 professionals viewing the National Research Council conference will learn the new beef nutrient requirements from experts on the subject – the nutritionists who spent four years developing the requirements.

The conference is important, Strohbehn said, because it is something “the entire beef industry will use.” Those viewing the conference will not only learn about nutrient changes, but also how to use computer software programs with the new nutrient equations, he said. New formulas will guide the reprogramming of computers that deal with beef nutrients.

The ISU Animal Science Department submitted a proposal to the National Research Council to host the conference when it first received notice of the publication of the new requirements, Strohbehn said. The National Research Council chose ISU as the conference site after the Animal Science Department proposed using a satellite downlink and received a grant from health and additive manufacturer Hoechst-Roussel, he said.

“We’re fortunate not only to have the program at ISU, but also to have a great sponsor like Hoechst-Roussel Agri-Vet,” Strohbehn said. “We’re very pleased and quite excited to be presenting this to producers and nutritionists not only in Iowa, but all over the country and Canada. This is a rare and neat opportunity for Iowa State.”