Illinois Junior Beef Tour

New for 2023! 

Purpose: 

Learn about careers within the beef industry in Illinois! 

The Illinois Beef Association is proud to launch this first-year event, developed to help junior members identify a career path that interests them. Participants will tour lucrative cattle operations and industry hotspots. Each tour stop has been hand-selected to give participants a well-rounded look into the careers that exist within the cattle industry right here in Illinois. Tour participants will get a behind-the-scenes look into careers in academia, reproduction, risk management, nutrition, packing, and veterinary medicine, all to see what career opportunities could await them! Participants will also receive resume-building and interview tips. Our goal is to help IJBA members identify a career of interest and build their toolkit to ensure they are able to obtain that career for the long-term sustainability of the Illinois cattle industry. 

WHEN:  

 May 31-June 1, 2023 

**Stay tuned for 2024 dates!** 

ELIGIBILITY: 

IJBA member, 15-21 years old 

Cost: 

Free to IJBA members!


ISU Logo

Stop #1

Illinois State University 

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

PVF Logo

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! 

Adams Family

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. 

Earlybird Logo

Stop #4

Earlybird Feed & Fertilizer 

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

Raber Logo

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. 

Timbercrest Logo

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!