East central Iowa beef producers are invited to a Jones County "Cattle Facility Tour" on Aug. 22. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Denise Schwab says the tour will provide timely information on raising cattle in monoslope buildings, hoop barns and open lots.

"This tour will help producers learn about raising beef cattle responsibly and successfully, while meeting regulatory demands and enhancing their cattle management skills," Schwab explains. "They'll also learn about capturing manure value, enhancing neighbor relationships and identifying best locations for new facilities."

The tour begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Marty Burlage farm north of Monticello, IA, at 3358 333rd Avenue and continues to the Adam and Craig Manternach farm and the Todd Bergfeld farm south of Cascade. Following the tour, the northeast regional meeting of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Cascade at 6 p.m. A meal is part of this meeting.

The Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers (CSIF), ICA and ISU Extension coordinated the tour. Their staffs and the farm hosts will present information on effective management strategies and the economic incentives that make cattle feeding an attractive business option for Iowa farmers.

The tour and a meal are free. For more information contact Schwab by email at [email protected] or by phone at 319-721-9624.