The University of Minnesota Extension Beef Team and the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association is hosting the 2022 Minnesota Cattlemen’s Summer Tour July 12 on the St. Paul campus.

The day starts and ends at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, where busses will be available for transport to the university.

Stops on the St. Paul campus include the Andrew Boss Laboratory of Meat Science, the College of Veterinary Medicine and forage research plots. Buses will start leaving from the zoo in Apple Valley at 7 a.m. and arrive on campus around 7:45 a.m.

The meat lab

The Andrew Boss Laboratory of Meat Science has long been a U-M Department of Animal Science staple. Ryan Cox will invite attendees to compare hanging carcasses, observe cutting demonstrations and tour the lab’s facilities.

The College of Veterinary Medicine personnel will highlight how they prepare students to enter the world of animal care. The stop includes a tour of the Leatherdale Equine Center and an opportunity to interact with representatives from the veterinary school's small animal hospital, equine faculty, food animal faculty, Davis Family Dairy Partnership and college leadership.

Forage research

The Extension forage team prepared and planted a large set of forage research plots specifically for this event. More than 30 species of forages will be on display side by side to allow farmers to compare the options available to them.

Extension educators will walk producers through the pros and cons of each species for different times of year and weather conditions in Minnesota. Farmers will also have a chance to see the specialized research plot equipment used for crop and forage research.

“Extension hosted the summer tour more than 20 years ago,” says Joe Armstrong, a U-M veterinarian and Extension educator. “We jumped on the opportunity to host this year, and we’re excited to have cattle producers on our campus.”

Conclude at the zoo

Throughout their time on campus, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with representatives from tour sponsors, so producers can make connections with the companies and resources that support the cattle industry. These same representatives will be available in the afternoon and early evening portion of the event.

After a morning filled with learning, attendees will return to the Minnesota Zoo around 3:30 p.m. to enjoy supper and exclusive access to the zoo from 4 to 8 p.m.

Purchase tickets online for $25 per person until June 15. After June 15, tickets are $30 online or at the door. U-M students can buy discounted tickets online for $15 (student IDs are checked at the door). Lunch and supper are included.

Source: University of Minnesota Beef Extension, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all of its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset. Paula Mohr contributed to this report.