The beef industry is an important part of the agriculture economy in the Midwest, and Minnwest Bank is a longtime partner of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Tour. I had the privilege of attending the MSCA Summer Tour this year. From the presentations and demonstrations at our visits to various farms and businesses, to the meaningful conversations on the bus, this event was an unforgettable display of the passion and innovation that makes the Minnesota beef community so exceptional.
The Summer Tour is an annual event that highlights beef feedlots and cow/calf operations, new farm technologies, and insights from experienced cattlemen and women. The event is educational and an opportunity for industry professionals to network, but also features a festival-like atmosphere.
As the Content Marketing Specialist here at Minnwest Bank, I have a solid understanding of the broader ag industry, having grown up with family who farmed but never lived/worked on one myself. Needless to say, I was excited for the opportunity to learn firsthand much more about the beef industry – which would end up being an unforgettable experience. Here’s my rundown of the day:
Breakfast and registration
As I arrived at the Lyon County Fairgrounds for breakfast and checked in, the excitement was palpable. Cattle enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds gathered to embark on a day of exploration and learning. Farmers, families, and visitors from near and far lined up for breakfast and found their way to the buses, ready for our trip across Lincoln and Lyon counties. I will give a big shoutout here to Kelli Sorenson, Senior Credit Analyst with Minnwest Bank out of Redwood Falls, for finding me and getting me one of the last seats on the Minnwest Bank bus – and then fearlessly guiding our tour group through the 10-hour journey.
Loyson Farms
We started our tour in Ghent at Loyson Farms. The multi-faceted operation is described by Doug Loyson as “a true family farm,” where Doug, his wife Jodi, and their four children manage cattle and row crops with a variety of feeder cattle housing.
I took the chance to walk around and check out the different cattle barn setups, including the open yard, the monoslope barn, and their new deep pit barn. Each structure serves a distinct purpose within their operation which was the biggest thing that stood out to me from this stop. As the farm continues to expand and their children grow older and increasingly take part in the farm’s operations, Doug’s excitement and outlook for the future grows. The day was just beginning, and as we loaded back onto the bus, I couldn’t help but wonder about the standout aspects we’d get to discover throughout the day.
Triple C Feeders
Our next stop brought us to Balaton, where we toured the Chandler family’s Triple C Feeders. This operation has been in business for five generations now, beginning with a small feedlot in the 1950s that gradually expanded on the same site.
The operation has grown in cattle headcount over the years, while continuously evolving to improve cattle comfort, efficiency, and feeding practices. I got to see a massive 2,000 head monoslope bedded pack barn, alongside the original feedlot and the concrete feed storage system. I (of course) had to stop and say hello to our friendly Minnwest Bank representatives on site and enjoy a locally produced beef stick.
Meulebroeck Farms
After a quick trip over within Balaton, we arrived at Meulebroeck Farms. Here we met Todd Meulebroeck and his family, who showed us around their farm, which contains around 700 head of cattle and over 1,000 acres of feed crops.
The star of the show here was their brand-new pit barn, which transformed efficiency on the farm that previously centered around a bedded-pack monoslope barn and outdoor yard. Todd and his wife Amber are hoping to continue growing the operation and getting the next generation involved. As their three young children grow up and discover their own passion for agriculture, the farm’s legacy looks to be in good hands.
ADM
We headed back to Marshall for our first (and only) on-bus tour of the day which saw us drive through the ADM processing plant. Inside, representatives talked us through the facility’s operations. The plant sources corn from local producers and transforms it into different value-added products, from corn oil to pet nutrition products and everything in between. It was an interesting stop, and one where I got to enjoy the bus’s air conditioning a little longer.
Ralco
Our last stop before lunch, we got to learn about Ralco, a company based in Marshall for over 50 years. We explored their line of science-based products aimed at supporting both animal and plant health. We only had a short time here, but everyone’s passion for innovation shone through during the visit.
Lunch
Now at the halfway point of the tour, we stopped at the fairgrounds for a quick lunch and a walk around the expo hall, where guests could learn about and talk with various vendors. Our own Minnwest crew helped serve lunch! And after a much needed rest and refuel, we were back on the bus for our next four stops.
Weber Land and Cattle
After the break, our first stop took us to Lake Benton, where we would tour Weber Land and Cattle. Owner and operator Jesse Weber personally showed us around the farm, sharing details about their calving operation, highlighting the meticulous work they do to ensure the ideal breeding outcome. We also saw the show barn, where Jesse’s cattle operation began as a 4H project before becoming the career it is today.
Lastly, Michelle Weber, Jesse’s wife of 15 years, showcased her artwork, which she has been producing for almost 16 years. Despite the scale of the farm, this stop brought a distinct personal feel as we got to know the owners just as much as their operation. Their dog even greeted me as I got off the bus – I responded like a true professional.
Delaney Herefords Inc.
As the afternoon heat ramped up, we hit the perfect stop – Delaney Herefords, just a short trip from Lake Benton on the top of the Buffalo Ridge. Here we were greeted by Nick Delaney, who operates the farm alongside his wife Holly, and his parents Jerry and Shelly.
Here, they shared their knowledge of Hereford breeding, as their operation centers around the sale of yearling bulls, heifers, and genetic products. I got hands on with this stop, inspecting two separate cattle hearts, one which had been very unhealthy, and the other healthy as can be, as Nick and Holly explained what exactly I was touching (I’ll spare you the photos), and how their work helps cattle avoid outcomes such as the former.
It was an interesting stop, and one that left me more knowledgeable about the breeding process. And I mentioned it was the perfect stop – as there was a Lingen Dairy Ice Cream trailer serving up fresh soft serve, which attendees enjoyed from beneath the shady trees.
Vos Feeders
Our furthest west stop, just a mere 10-minute drive from South Dakota, saw us land at Vos Feeders in Hendricks. The expansive farm run by Danny and Holly Vos with help from their five children centers around the feedlot, alongside stock cow production and corn grown for cattle feed. One unique feature of this farm was the umbrella-like shades for the cattle to rest under in the fields, with the cows seemingly preferring the black shades over the white ones, the latter sometimes being uninhabited while the former was packed!
But the bulk of the cattle stay in the confinement style barn, a structure the family says has improved efficiency and cattle comfort. And thanks to a partnership with a neighboring farmer, the cows have nearly 1,000 acres to graze across each year.
Coon Creek Cattle Co
At this point in the day, we’d been on the bus for over 2 hours – so what’s the harm in another 30 minutes? Our last stop took us to Coon Creek Cattle Co near Tyler, MN, where we got to walk right out onto the pasture, and some learned the importance of watching their step. Jeremy Larson manages this Limousin cow-calf operation with approximately 200-250 cow-calf pairs, and a distinct focus on red Limousins. The operation focuses heavily on cattle performance and pasture management, and rotational grazing plays a key role within Jeremy’s strategy. His grazing strategy benefits both pasture health and productivity and is a product of his professional career as an NRCS engineering technician.
We also got to see a soil erosion demonstration on behalf of the USDA, where we learned about the importance of and methods of erosion control.
Being out on the pasture alongside the cows was an idyllic conclusion to the tour, and as we loaded up the bus to head back to the fairgrounds for the day, I (and many others) was ready for a nap; but also, a fresh steak dinner.
The day concludes
As the tour concluded, the buses headed back to the Lyon County Fairgrounds. On our way back, attendees on the bus with me commented on how organized the tour was and how knowledgeable the farmers and producers were at each tour stop. At the fairgrounds, we were greeted with a delicious steak dinner – and more ice cream.
At Minnwest Bank, we understand the critical role that the beef industry plays in Minnesota and the Midwest's agriculture sector and overall economy. As a community bank deeply rooted in these regions, we take pride in supporting initiatives like the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association Summer Tour. By sponsoring and participating in events that promote the beef industry, we aim to contribute to the growth and prosperity of the agricultural community as a whole.