Just days remain for farmers interested in growing their cattle farms responsibly and successfully to register for a series of informational feedlot tours to be held later this month near Sioux Center, Charles City and Atlantic.

"Cattle Farming Matters: A Forum and Feedlot Tour for Cattle Feeders" will provide farmers with timely information regarding regulatory compliance, biosecurity and effective feedlot management. Participants will also receive insight into enhancing neighbor relations, identifying good locations for new facilities and the economic incentives that make cattle feeding an attractive business option for Iowa farmers.

Tour sponsors include the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers, Iowa Cattlemen's Association, Iowa Beef Center and the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

* Tuesday, Aug. 21 near Sioux Center. 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 before visiting the Joel and Karen Schuitemann farm. The meeting will conclude with a tour of Schut Feedlot Inc. of Sioux Center. The tour will highlight a hoop and monoslope building and open lot production systems and explore cost-share opportunities, meeting environmental regulations and successfully completing the permit process.
* 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 proceed to Bob Peterson's feedlot in Charles City. Final tour stop will be the feedlot of Trent Linkenmeyer of Riceville. Participants will tour a three barn hoop system that is managed as an open lot, another hoop barn system that is used in conjunction with open concrete lots and a monoslope building used for raising Holstein steers.
* 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 tour will conclude at the farm of Jeff Clausen near Carson. Farmers will view open feedlots in addition to a bedded hoop building system while learning how to incorporate environmental management into their respective farms.

Feedlot tour speakers will include: Dr. John Lawrence, Iowa State University Extension livestock economist; Nancy Degner and Brian Waddingham, Iowa Beef Industry Council; Megan Ritter, Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers; and other ISU Extension livestock specialists.

Participants will provide their own transportation and are encouraged to carpool if possible. Lunch will be provided and all tours will conclude by 3:30 p.m.

Space is limited, so farmers are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Tour registration is $15 per person. For information, tour directions or to register, log onto www.supportfarmers.com or contact Megan Ritter at 515-225-5481.