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Beef Field Day, open house planned for Sept. 16

The Southern Illinois Beef Association will host a Beef Field Day and open house from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at Slykhuis Farms, 985 Mings Road, in Raleigh. The event is free and open to beef producers and consumers.

Numerous vendor exhibits will be on display, and attendees will have the opportunity to tour a monoslope beef barn and see the latest in cattle comfort and environmental stewardship.

Also, there will be tips on safe and proper beef preparation and cooking presented by the culinary program at Rend Lake Community College, as well as a drone exhibition by the college.

Beef industry speakers, who will focus on current topics and trends, include Wes Hornback, Purina Nutrition; Doug Franks, ABS; Dr. Monty Kerley, reproductive nutrition, University of Missouri; Mike Kastens, beef producer; Joni Bucher, Illinois Beef Association president; and Reid Blossom, Illinois Beef Association executive vice president.

Congressman Mike Bost, state Sen. Dale Fowler and state Rep. Dave Severin are also scheduled to speak.

A free ribeye meal will be served. RSVPs for the meal must be made no later than Sept. 9 by contacting Tyler Pokojski at (618) 918-1215 or tylerpokojski@gmail.com.

"This isn't your normal beef producer meeting," said Terry Mefford, president of the Southern Illinois Beef Association. "We're making this a big event for people who raise beef and people who like to eat beef. The event will cover a range of topics - from the barn to the plate."

For more information, contact Mefford at (618) 231-0800 or tkmefford@yahoo.com.