***CSIF Exclusive News***
Cattle farming matters. This statement has obvious meaning for Iowa cattlemen. Yet it will take on a whole new meaning in August when the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the Iowa Beef Center (IBC) and the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) sponsor a series of cattle feedlot tours near Sioux Center, Charles City and Atlantic.
“Cattle Farming Matters: A Forum and Feedlot Tour for Cattle Feeders” will provide farmers with the information they need to grow their beef cattle farm responsibly and successfully.
Tours include:
--Tuesday, Aug. 21 in the Sioux Center area. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. at Doeden Farms Inc. in Little Rock. Participants will then drive to lunch at the Sioux Center Children’s Park and the second tour stop at the Joel and Karen Schuitemann farm. The meeting will conclude with a tour of Schut Feedlot Inc. of Sioux Center.
--Thursday, Aug. 23 near Charles City. Registration will begin at 9:15 a.m. at the feedlot of Clark McGregor of Nashua. The tour will then proceed to Bob Peterson’s feedlot in Charles City. The final tour stop will be the feedlot of Trent Linkenmeyer in Riceville.
--Friday, Aug. 31 near Atlantic. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the farm of Randy Euken in Lewis. Tour participants will then travel to the ISU Armstrong Research Farm in Lewis for the second tour stop and lunch. The third stop on the tour will be at the farm of Jeff Clausen in Carson.
Participants will be providing their own transportation and are encouraged to carpool if possible. Lunch will be provided and all tours will conclude by 3:30 p.m.
Participants will learn how to grow cattle feeding today and for the future and be provided a roadmap for success. Topics to be covered at each tour include regulatory compliance, siting, permitting, management options, feedlot growth, neighbor relations, biosecurity and the economic incentives that make livestock farming and cattle feeding an attractive business opportunity for 2007.
Speakers will include Dr. John Lawrence, Iowa State University, Nancy Degner and Brian Waddingham from the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Megan Ritter, Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers and ISU-Extension livestock specialists.
Tour registration is $15 per person and is due seven days prior to the meeting date. For more information, tour directions or to register, call 1-515-225-5481.