By Richard H Fechter
District Extension Director and Agent, 4-H and Agriculture & Natural Resources

The 72nd annual Elk County Livestock and Conservation Tour will be Wednesday, June 10 in the northwest part of Elk County.  The tour will begin at the fairgrounds in Howard at 7:30 a.m. with coffee and rolls.

Everyone will leave for the first tour stop at 8:00 a.m.  Tour stops and speakers include:
· Richard and Julia Fechter — Registered Maine Anjou cattle.
· Jeff Wiseman — Stock Dogs.  During this stop, Mark Nelson, Kansas Farm Bureau, will talk about “Creating Value for Small Beef Operations.”
· Larry Odle — Pasture Renovation.  At this stop, Richard Fechter, Rolling Prairie Extension District Agent, will discuss “Brush Control Rates and Recommendations.”
· Tom Wedman — Tree Puller.  During this stop, Matt Gilhousen, Vice President Project Development, TradeWind Energy, LLC, will talk about the Wind Project in Elk County.
· Ron Cummings — Bred Heifers and Pairs.  Flinton McCabe, Genex, will discuss Artificial Insementation.
· Perkins Creek Ranch — Boer Goats.  At this stop, Dane Varney, Range Management Specialist, will have a native range plant identification session.

The Livestock - Conservation Tour is sponsored by the Elk County Livestock Association, Elk County Cattlewomen, Elk County Farm Bureau Association, Elk County Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rolling Prairie Extension District, Novartis Animal Health and Intervet/Schering - Plough Animal Health.

For more information about the tour, contact the Rolling Prairie Extension District Howard Office at 620-374-2174.