Fresh Beef Processing Short Course

Date: 
September 9, 2025 8:00am to September 11, 2025 5:00pm
Cost: 
1695

About the Fresh Beef Processing Short Course
The Fresh Beef Processing Short Course is designed to offer a hands-on experience for participants who have an interest in expanding their knowledge of the beef processing industry.

Speakers, nationally and internationally recognized authorities in their fields, will provide information about the latest technology available.

Enrollment for this course is limited so that participants can participate in hands on activities and have ample opportunities to interact with speakers and staff and have their questions answered. Iowa State University’s modern Meat Laboratory allows participants to observe demonstrations utilizing the latest technology.

Audience
This short course is designed for persons working in the meat processing industry with a focus on harvest, fabrication, and processing of beef. It will also provide valuable information for those in live animal production, marketing, food production, supplier, and other industries related to fresh beef.

Topics Covered

  • Beef harvest
  • Beef carcass grading
  • Beef carcass fabrication
  • Beef carcass yields
  • Beef cut identification
  • HACCP and Food Safety
  • Basic meat science
  • Ground Beef Manufacturing
  • Packaging systems
  • Branded beef programs
  • Antimicrobials and carcass interventions
  • Sanitation
  • Beef value cuts
  • Equipment and PPE
  • Animal handling
  • Stunning

Location and Local Shuttle
The Fresh Beef Processing Short Course will be held at the Iowa State University Meat Laboratory. Public parking is not available near the Meat Laboratory so a shuttle bus will transport you between the Gateway Hotel and the Meat Laboratory. If you will be staying at a hotel other than the Gateway Hotel, it will be your responsibility to meet the shuttle departing from the Gateway Hotel each morning at 7:30 a.m.

Schedule
The shuttle will depart the Gateway Hotel each morning at 7:30 a.m. The course will begin with registration at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday and conclude at 5::00 p.m. on Thursday. 

  • Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. with an optional evening social
  • Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • Thursday: 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 

Meals/Social Events

  • Breakfast: included with your hotel room at Gateway (if you made your reservation outside of the Fresh Beef Processing Short Course block, breakfast may not be included in the price)
  • Lunch: will be provided on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the Meat Lab
  • Breaks: coffee, soda, bottled water and snacks will be available all day at the Meat Laboratory
  • Evening Reception: hosted bar and appetizers on Tuesday evening at the Gateway Hotel & Conference Center

Registration
Registration for the September 9-11, 2025 Fresh Beef Short Course will open on June 30, 2025

The fee for the Fresh Beef Processing Short Course is $1,695.00 per person, after August 18, 2025, the fee will increase to $1,800.00 per person. Registration will close by September 2, 2025. The registration fee includes course materials, lunch all 3 days, refreshment breaks, the Tuesday evening reception, and local transportation between the Gateway Hotel and the Meat Lab.

Lodging

A block of sleeping rooms has been reserved at the headquarters hotel with a rate of $129.00 per night plus taxes, includes breakfast each day:

Gateway Hotel & Conference Center
2100 Green Hills Drive
Ames, IA 50014
Phone: 515-292-8600 - indicate you are attending the Fresh Beef Short Course
Online: click her to make your reservation online – link will be posted on or before June 30, 2025

Please make your hotel reservations before September 9, 2025 to guarantee a room at the conference rate. Reservations made after the deadline are subject to room availability.

Brochure
For more information on this program, download a copy of the brochure.

Change in Plans

You may substitute another person at any time prior to the start of the course. If you need to cancel your registration before August 25, 2025 you may receive a refund less a $50.00 processing fee. If you need to cancel your registration between August 25, 2025 and September 1, 2025, you may receive a 50% refund. If you cancel your registration between September 2, 2025 and the start of the course, no refund will be issued. Contact Matt Wenger at mwenger@iastate.edu or 515-294-9279 if you have changes to your plans.