This year's south-central Iowa beef producer tour is headed to Nebraska. Iowa State University Extension beef specialist Joe Sellers will take Iowa producers on a ranch and feedlot bus tour to north-central Nebraska on August 26-29. Any Iowa producer who wishes to attend is welcome to sign up.

The bus will leave Chariton, Iowa at 8 a.m. on August 26 and return by 7 p.m. on August 29.

BEEF BUS TOUR: The 2015 south-central Iowa beef producer tour is headed to Nebraska on Aug. 26-29. Group will visit feedlots and ranches in western Iowa and areas in Nebraska near O'Neill, Valentine and Kearney.

Tentative stops include Kennedy Cattle Company, the ISU Armstrong Research Center, Jindra Angus, feedlot and ranch tours with Wulf Cattle Company and Rolling Stone Feedlot. Additional stops include Lewis Feedyard and other ranches and feed yards in Western Iowa and Nebraska. A full itinerary is under development. Overnight stays will be at O'Neill, Valentine, and Kearney, Neb. Ranch stops are planned by the Sandhills Cattle Association.

Sponsors include Midwest Heritage Bank, Zoetis Animal Health, and the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University.

 Participants are responsible for their own room reservations, a registration fee of $150 fee payable to Lucas County Extension, and some meals during the trip. Room reservations and preregistration for the bus must be made by July 26 to assure access to lodging and a seat on the bus.

For lodging, blocks of rooms are being held under "Iowa Beef Tour/Iowa State University" at these motels: August 26 – Holiday Inn Express, O'Neill ($120 room rate), phone 402-336-4500; August 27 - Econo Lodge Inn, Valentine ($89.99 room rate), phone 402-376-3131; and August 28 - Fairfield inn, Kearney ($114.95 room rate), phone 308-236-4200.  Rates listed are for two Queen or one King standard rooms, plus tax. The room blocks will be released on July 26.

To register your spot on the bus, send a check for $150 per person to Lucas County Extension, 48293 Hy-Vee Road, Chariton, Iowa 50049 by July 27. For details or answers to questions, contact Joe Sellers at 641-203-1270 or email [email protected].