What the Orr Beef Research Center Field Day Is
The Orr Beef Research Center Field Day is an afternoon and evening program in western Illinois where University of Illinois Extension staff and researchers share research updates, herd management decisions and new trends in beef production. It is built for cattle producers: the day starts with a walk through a working research herd and ends with a series of indoor talks, a panel and a free dinner.
The most recent edition was held on September 2, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and is run by University of Illinois Extension.
How It Works: The Timeline
| Time | Session | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00 p.m. | Tour of the Orr Beef Research Center, led by center manager Wes Chapple | Orr Beef Center, Baylis |
| 5:00 p.m. | Talks and panel discussion | John Wood Community College Ag Center, Baylis |
| After the talks | Grilled dinner from the JWCC Ag Club, free to attendees | JWCC Ag Center |
The tour
The pre-tour covers the cattle on display, the calving barn, the working facility, the pens, the windbreaks and the fence-line hay feeders. It is partly outdoors and partly under roof, so dress for the weather.
The talks
- Weaning strategies for beef calves with Dr. Dan Shike, University of Illinois.
- Digital phenotyping, measuring feeder cattle weights and cow size with cameras, with Dr. Tiago Bresolin, University of Illinois.
- Virtual Fence 101 with Kaitlyn Dozler-German of the Virtual Fence Program at the University of Missouri.
- Managing tick pressure and related disease concerns with Dr. Teresa Steckler, Illinois Extension.
- Panel discussion on using technology, profit tips and audience questions, moderated by Travis Meteer, Illinois Extension.
Who Can Attend and What to Know
The field day is aimed at beef producers and anyone interested in cow-calf and feeder cattle management. Registration is required for every attendee, and it is handled through Travis Meteer, the Illinois Extension commercial agriculture educator who organizes the day. No registration deadline is published, so sign up well ahead of the date.
- Do not wear clothing or footwear from feedlots or pastures unless it has been washed. This protects the research herd.
- The talks are indoors, so the second half of the day does not depend on weather.
- For a reasonable accommodation, contact Travis Meteer before the event.
Fees and What You Get
No attendance fee is listed. The grilled dinner is free. In exchange for an afternoon, attendees get a close look at a university beef herd and its facilities, research findings on weaning, camera-based weight measurement, virtual fencing and ticks, and a chance to put questions to the panel.
Where to Go
- Tour: Orr Beef Center, 37737 Perry Fishhook Rd, Baylis, in Pike County.
- Talks and dinner: John Wood Community College Ag Center, 37803 State Highway 104, Baylis.
The two sites are both in Baylis, so plan to drive from the tour to the Ag Center when the talks begin at 5:00 p.m.
Questions
Do I need to register?
Yes. Registration is required for all attendees and goes through Travis Meteer of Illinois Extension.
Is there a charge?
No fee is listed, and the dinner is free.
Will I be outside for the whole event?
No. The tour is partly outdoors and partly under roof, and all of the talks are indoors.
Can I wear my work boots?
Only if they have been washed. Clothing and footwear from feedlots or pastures are not allowed unless cleaned.
Who do I ask about accessibility?
Contact Travis Meteer to request a reasonable accommodation.
Official Links
- Orr Beef Research Center Field Day 2026: University of Illinois Extension event page with agenda and registration contact
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