IBEA Summer Event Features Tours, Seminars

www.agrinews-pubs.com
Martha Blum
2010-06-01

Illinois cattlemen will see examples of how they can expand their existing operations to provide an opportunity for the next generation during the Illinois Beef Association’s Summer Tour and Conference 2010.

With the theme “Building a Future for the Beef Industry,” the conference is set for June 28-30 at the Timber Creek Conference Center, Sandwich.

“The tours highlight the industry from gate to plate because we believe there is a future for the beef industry in Illinois,” said Penny Bliler, IBA communications director.

“We try to provide tours with diversity, not just for one segment,” said Trevor Toland, IBA president. “Cattlemen with different interests will see something they can learn from.”

“We’re going to farms that are expanding their operations by utilizing existing property and enhancing the facilities to make them more environmentally friendly,” Bliler said.

The first day of the event will feature a tour of Jamie Willrett Farms near Malta.

“The Willretts have several examples of successful confinement buildings,” Bliler said.

Larson Farms, Maple Park, will be the second tour stop for the day. Dinner at the farm will feature Black and Blue Burgers and an evening of fun with an Ag Trivia Night.

“This will be a fun, family night, so organize a team of eight people for the trivia night,” Bliler said. “The winning team will receive the jackpot prize.”

IBA is inviting Illinois legislators from northern Illinois to the Monday evening social event.

“A lot of these folks have never been on a beef producer’s farm, so this is our opportunity to show them what beef producers do,” Toland explained. “We are making it convenient for them to be there by providing transportation out of the city if they need it.”

Toland emphasized the importance of showing legislators that beef producers focus on proper management for their operations.

“You hear so many negative things these days from nutrition to recalls to animal activism,” he said. “We’d like to provide a positive spin on beef production for the legislators.”

The second day of the summer meeting features a tour of the research and development center of Sara Lee and McDonald’s Hamburger University. At the McDonald’s facility in Oak Brook, cattlemen will meet Robert Cannell, the supply chain director for McDonald’s USA.

“We’re going to talk to one of the biggest beef consumers on this tour,” Bliler said.

Cannell is responsible for more than $1.3 billion of purchases that supply 13,700 McDonald’s restaurants across the United States.

The afternoon tour stops at two different operations will highlight hoop buildings.

“The layout for these buildings is different, but each producer used something they had and added covers,” Bliler said.

David Pratt, with Ranch Management Consultants, will present a seminar during the third day of the summer event.

“David offers seminars all across the nation about hard work, harmony and bringing the next generation to the farm.” Bliler said.

“That presentation will be followed by a father-son producer panel and it should be interesting to hear the perspective from each generation.”

The IBA annual meeting will include the election of officers. Toland, who is completing his first term as IBA president, is applying for a second term of leading the statewide group.

During the past year, Toland has worked on several projects including the goal to strengthen the relationship of IBA with its affiliates.

“We have invited affiliate leadership to our state board meetings and that’s been a real eye opener for producers,” he said.

This summer, IBA plans to organize two affiliate leadership training meetings.

“We are going to talk about how affiliates can attract members, hold good meetings and promote their local groups,” Toland said. “We are going to try to help them strengthen their local affiliate because the strength of the state association really comes from the affiliates.”

Adding membership has also been a focus for the IBA president.

“We’re going to do some different things next year that we’ve never done before,” Toland said. “That will be discussed during the June meeting, and producers will be hearing about it during our membership campaign for next year.”

“For the afternoon session on Wednesday, David will talk about the three secrets for increasing profit and management strategies,” Bliler said.

“There will also be guest speakers talking about financing for young producers, and the United Producers will offer messages about their coordinated feeding services and risk management strategies.”

Complete conference registration is $260 for IBA members and $310 for non-members. Deadline for conference registration is June 21. To receive an early bird discount of $30, reservations must be received by June 7.

Room reservations can be made at the Timber Creek Inn by calling (630) 273-6000. Ask for the Illinois Beef Association rooms to get the special rate of $98 per night. Contact the IBA at (217) 787-4280 for more details.

For more information about the IBA Summer Tour and Conference 2010, visit www.illinoisbeef.com.


Return to Article List