MILFORD, Iowa -- A beef feedlot runoff control and solids settling management tour will visit two Milford farms on Monday, Aug.  29. The event is sponsored by the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University (ISU), Dickinson County Extension, Dickinson County Cattlemen and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA).

“We wanted to give producers the opportunity to look at real feedlot situations,” says Dennis DeWitt, ISU Extension field specialist. “This event is an excellent opportunity to examine management techniques for solids settling basins for feedlots under 1,000 head.”

The tour begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Don Chaffin feedlot, which consists of both concrete and dirt pens, and will feature proper handling of solids settling. The feedlot is located at 2413 240 Street, Milford, or south of Milford on Hwy 71 just over 1 mile, and one mile west on 240 Street, on the corner of 210  Ave.

The second stop is at the Robert Zimmer and Brian Peck feedlot.  DeWitt explains that upgrading is currently going on with pouring concrete and establishing a runoff control system. The feedlot is located at 2481 210 Ave, Milford.

In addition to visiting these feedlots, speakers will address the topics of current manure management regulations for open feedlots, designing a solids settling systems to manage runoff, development of a Quality System Assessment (QSA) program for exporting to Japan, and completing an Environmental Management System (EMS) on-site feedlot assessment of your operation.

Speakers on the tour include DeWitt, Evan Vermeer of ICA, and Kris Kohl, ISU Extension ag engineer.  Registration is $5 and cold beverages will be provided by Great Lakes Cooperative. For more information, contact Dennis DeWitt at (641) 336-3488 or visit the Calendar page at www.iowabeefcenter.org.