ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Iowa Beef Center invite interested beef producers to attend a field day on Aug. 1 that will feature alternative technologies to manage open beef feedlot runoff. The field day will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features two sites that have implemented alternative technologies: the John Fluit, Jr. Feedlot near Inwood and Rolling Hills Feedlot near Hawarden.
 
The field day will begin at the Fluit Feedlot located one mile east of Inwood on A-42. This feedlot has a solids settling system, a vegetated infiltration basin (VIB) and a vegetated treatment area (VTA) that effectively controls the manure and runoff produced by 4,000 head of cattle.
 
A light lunch will be served at noon, followed by travel to the Rolling Hills Feedlot. The Rolling Hills Feedlot is located 4 miles east of the junction of Highways 10 and 12 in Hawarden. At approximately 2 p.m., participants will tour the Rolling Hills feedlot, which also has a solids settling system and uses a VTA contoured to a hillside.
 
Alternative technology systems appeal to open feedlot producers because they provide a pollution control system that does not require a holding basin to store runoff. They are more economical to build and operate, visually more attractive, less energy-dependent, and make better use of productive land. However, not all feedlot sites are adaptable to alternative technology systems.
 
Staff from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, ISU Extension, Iowa Beef Center at ISU, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Natural Resources Conservation Service will be available to answer environmental questions.
 
Participants should call (712) 737-4230 by July 28 to pre-register. Registration ($5 per person) covers refreshments, lunch and materials. The field day will be held regardless of weather.  

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