Over two dozen animals are born at the 2025 Iowa State Fair

Date:2025-08-13 22:47:38 Category:US Views:2 Comment:0

DES MOINES, Iowa — One of the most important roles that Iowa State Fair veterinarians play is helping animals during the birthing process, and so far, over two dozen animals have been born at the 2025 fair.

Before the start of the fair, veterinarians check for illnesses or diseases, like bird flu and swine flu as animals arrive. According to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, there are currently no cases of bird flu in Iowa and no cases of swine flu in the country. However, the role of the state fair vets doesn’t end there.

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At the Animal Learning Center, state veterinarians make sure the birthing process goes well and they assist if needed.

Dr. Cody Branstad is one of the veterinarians at the fair. He said he only had to assist on a handful of births this year. Normally, this happens if the mother is in distress.

After the babies are born, the vets turn their attention to the newest arrivals and make sure they’re healthy. They help with bottle feeding if the baby needs it.

There are seven types of animals at the Animal Learning Center, including pigs, sheep, goats, turkeys, cows, chickens, and ducks.

“I feel like, you know, even being in Iowa, you think people would be exposed to ag every day. But in a lot of sense they’re not. And so this gives them a good opportunity to see it up close,” said Branstad.

All of the different animal species have given birth at the fair. Just overnight on Wednesday, a calf was born. Kids who go to the Animal Learning Center on Wednesday will get to add name suggestions for the calf.