Stop #1

United Producers

United Producers is one of the largest livestock marketing cooperatives in the United States. Annually, UP handles approximately three million head of livestock.  The Shelbyville, Illinois location holds a sale each Tuesday. 

Stop #2

Hartke Swine Center

While the Hartke family may brand under Hartke Swine Center, the multi-generational farm is highly diversified! The family raises crops, contract feeds several thousand hogs, and finishes cattle in a monoslope facility. 

Stop #3

The Equity 

The Equity has been a leader in agricultural services for south-central Illinois since 1919. Today, the company consists of eighteen locations with each providing a range of services like agronomy, energy, feed & livestock, grain services, and farm & home stores. 

Stop #4

Windy Hill Meadows

Windy Hill Meadows is a southern Illinois beef farm with a unique approach and story. Through research, reverse-engineering, true partnerships, and holistic, balanced breeding and raising methods, the Wolters family, and their partners have rewritten the beef production playbook.

Stop #5

STL Livestock Export Facility 

The St. Louis Lambert International Airport is home to one of just a few USDA Certified livestock export air facilities. Renovations were completed in the fall of 2024, and today the export facility is equipped to handle high volume loads. The airports executive director, and her husband both grew up on a farm, and deeply understand the importance of animal agriculture. 

Stop #6

Fritz Meat & Processing 

Established in 2023, Fritz Meat & Processing is owned and operated by Ted Prehn and Adam Fritz. The duo saw a need in the community after Hansen's Packing ceased processing in 2018. Today, Adam and Ted are providing high quality processing services, and consumer ready product in their Jerseyville facility. 

Stop #1

Western Illinois University

The Western Illinois University school of Agriculture offers a wide array of opportunities to it's students. From a diverse class selection, state of the art Livestock Center, annual bull test sale, and a competitive livestock judging team, there is something for every cattle kid looking to make the most of their college experience.

On the 2nd day, participants will sit through a career panel with industry professionals. This panel will focus on setting participants up for success in their immediate future, and long-term career. 

Stop #2

River Oak Ranch

Home of one of the states premiere grazers. Trevor, Toland, and Carson Welsh operate an intensive grazing operation in rural Macomb. River Oak Ranch is dedicated to environmental stewardship and creating a sustainable income from grazing cattle thoughtfully.

Stop #3

Hancock Veterinary Clinic

The clinics Carthage location offers impressive cattle working facility with dedicated doctors and staff. HVC stays busy with large and small animal business. Learn about obtaining a career in Veterinary Medicine and hear about HVC's cattle business.

Stop #4

Dearwester Grain

Dearwester Grain is the leading feed supplies in Western Illinois with numerous locations to serve customers. Hear from the knowledgeable staff about careers in animal nutrition, and the symbiotic relationship of buying grain and milling feed. 

Stop #5

Fairview Sale Barn 

They have a long history of serving cattle producers in Illinois. As a leading auction market, experience the barn on sale day, and hear from the owners Jake and Laura Fidler about the business of operation at a livestock sale barn. Participants will also get the inside scoop about the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) and the work they do to support local markets. 

Stop #6

Lowderman Cattle Company

LCC is not stranger to the seedstock industry. They have a long history in the Hereford business and has contributed greatly to the seedstock sector of the Illinois Beef Industry. Participants will tour the operation, hear from several family members, learn about internship opportunities, and more! Cody Lowderman will also touch on the business of auctioneering. 

Stop #1

Illinois State University 

Learn about careers in academia, the growing ISU Agriculture Program,  tour the University, and hear from industry professionals. 

Stop #2

Prairie View Farm

Visit with a family that needs no introduction. The Miller family has an elite cow herd and sage business advice for young adults. Learn about cow families, bovine reproduction, and more! 

Stop #3

The Duzan Agency & Cattle Backgrounding 

Thinking outside the box has kept Dave Duzan in the cattle business his entire life. Learn about opportunities that exist in multiple areas of the beef industry. 

Stop #4

Earlybird Feed & Fertilizer 

Receive the inside "scoop" from nutritionists, feed salesmen, and the marketing team at Earlybird Feed and Fertilizer. 

Stop #5

Raber Packing Co. 

An entire industry that is critically important to the cattle industry. Get a tour of Raber Packing Co.'s state-of-the-art facilities and hear from the owner, Buddy Courdt. 

Stop #6

Timbercrest Veterinary Services 

Hear about the realities of pursuing a career in animal medicine, the importance of a herd health plan, and more!