By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Tours of successful beef cattle operations in northern Illinois, visits with buyers and end users of beef products and a reception for the family of Illinois native Steve Foglesong, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc. (NCBA), are among the highlights of the Illinois Beef Assoc.’s (IBA) 2010 Summer Tour and Conference.

The tour and conference, when IBA officers will be elected, is scheduled for June 28-30 in Sandwich, Ill., at the Timber Creek Conference Center.

Though IBA members will receive discount admission to the conference, anyone interested in the Illinois beef cattle industry can register and attend the gathering, according to Penny Bliler, communications director for the IFB.

“The conference is open the world,” said Bliler, who advised anyone interested in attending to register by June 7 for an early-bird discount.

Foglesong, who owns a cattle ranch and feedlot in Ipava, will offer remarks on the current state of the beef industry after the Tuesday, June 29, 6 p.m. reception for his family and preceding a ribeye dinner and awards program with keynote speaker Max Armstrong.

“Illinois is pretty lucky to have (Foglesong), and we’re glad to honor him with this reception,” said Bliler.

Farm tours are scheduled for the mornings of June 28-29, including a stop by the Jamie Willett operation in Malta.

The Willetts were honored as the 2009 IBA Farm Family of the Year. “Jamie’s feedlot is very functional and there are several different examples of buildings to look at,” said Bliler.

Visits to the Alan Adam farm in Sandwich and the Gary Dau farm in Sheridan are also scheduled.

A tour of the kitchens of Sara Lee in Downers Grove and lunch and a meet-and-greet with the U.S beef buyer for McDonald’s at the McDonald’s Hamburger University in Oak Park are also on the agenda for the annual event.

“These visits present great opportunities for producers to meet with buyers and end users and experience the challenges they are faced with,” Bliler said.

A father-son producer panel discussion is planned for the morning of Wednesday, June 30, following a presentation by David Pratt, who will discuss Ranching for Profit.”

The election of IBA officers will be at noon on June 30.
For more information on the IBA’s 2010 Summer Conference, themed Building a Future for the Beef Industry, or to register, call 217-787-4280 or download a registration form at www.illinoisbeef.com