This year’s Kosciusko County Cattleman’s Association beef twilight tour offers fun and fellowship for all area beef producers starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. The 17th addition heads to the Syracuse area.

All who attend will get to see great cattle, a feedlot operation and enjoy a delicious meal sponsored by the Kosciusko County Cattlemen’s Association.

The host for this year’s tour is Black Walnut Farms — The Schafer Family. Featured this year is a commercial cow calf and feedlot operation with emphasis on producing beef. The Schafers are actively involved in a variety of aspects of the beef industry. You will be able to tour the herd, feedlot and facilities at the farm located just west of Syracuse on CR 1300 North.

New this year will be a beef skills contest. The contest consists of looking at feeding efficiency, rate of gain, finishing weights and much more. This event is now an annual part of the tour. Prizes will be awarded for the winners of the youth and adult divisions.

This year the tour is featuring a keynote speaker, Paul Zahl of Hubbard Feeds. Zahl will share his knowledge on nutrition options for the beef feedlot.

The tour is also hosting the Associate Member Trade Show. If you are interested in having a booth or a door prize you would like to donate, please contact Bruce Lamb at 574-528-1259.

Of course the tour would not be complete without the traditional meal of ribeye sandwiches with all the trimmings for supper. After the meal the skills contest results will be given. Door prizes will be given away to a few lucky winners to complete the evening.

So, mark your calendar for Sept. 20 and enjoy an informal evening of learning about the beef industry in Kosciusko County. To assist in planning the tour, the cattlemen’s please ask that you RSVP with the Extension Office at 574-372-2340 by Sept. 18. There is no cost for the tour. However, after Sept. 18 a $5 per person will be charged for the meal payable at the door.

The tour and meal is sponsored by the Kosciusko County Cattlemen’s Association and Purdue Extension – Kosciusko County.

A map and directions are available from the Extension Office or on the website at www.ag.purdue.edu/counties/kosciusko under current events. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the extension office.