May 13, 2025

Stocker/Yearling Tour set for June 17 in North Platte

A group of cattle producers and Extension professionals walk through native pasture, observing forage conditions and discussing grazing strategies.
Maria Tibbetts

Maria Tibbetts
Participants of a past Stocker/Yearling Tour walk through native pasture to observe grazing management and herd health in action. The 2025 tour, set for June 17 in North Platte, will highlight pasture recovery, retained ownership, and value-added strategies in Nebraska’s beef industry.

Cattle producers and beef industry professionals are invited to attend the 2025 Summer Stocker/Yearling Tour on Tuesday, June 17, in North Platte, Nebraska. The tour will focus on the theme of retained ownership, providing attendees with firsthand insights into pasture recovery, herd management, and profitability strategies.

The event begins with registration from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center (WCREEC), followed by a morning visit to Pawnee Springs Ranch to tour pastureland affected by wildfire, where attendees will observe pasture recovery and learn about adaptive grazing practices.

Following the morning tour, participants will return to WCREEC for lunch at 12:30 p.m., with a producer panel to follow from 1 to 1:45 p.m. The panel will feature local producers discussing retained ownership strategies and partnerships.

The afternoon concludes with a visit to FKW Farms and White Schroeder Wiseman Stocker Partnership, where attendees will see stocker/yearling management practices in action and participate in a group debrief.

Pre-registration is required by June 10. Register online at https://go.unl.edu/summerstockertour or call 308-268-3105. There is a $20 fee to attend, which includes lunch and materials. The event is sponsored by Merck Animal Health and hosted in collaboration with Nebraska Extension, local producers, and industry partners. 

The tour provides an opportunity to share insights into heifer and yearling development, grazing management, and value-added marketing. It also supports ongoing partnerships between producers and researchers at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, part of UNL’s statewide commitment to advancing Nebraska’s beef industry.

Natalie Jones | IANR Communications