The Illinois Livestock Development Group (ILDG) is coordinating an Open House for the first deep-pit monoslope cow gestation barn built in Illinois. JK Ranches, Jack and Jarrod Kirk and their families, is celebrating the opening of their new 300 head cow gestation barn in Pike County on Saturday, December 10^th.

Neighbors, community members, fellow beef producers, and anyone with an interest in learning more about modern beef production is invited to attend. Attendees can see the latest products and technologies for cattle comfort and environmental stewardship. The event is free and open to the public.

The Open House and Ribbon Cutting will be held from 10:30 am – 2:00 pm located at 42480 270^th Ave., Griggsville, IL. A Ribbon Cutting will be held at 11:00 am. Attendees can tour the 300 head deep pit monoslope barn built by Longhorn Cattle & Swine Confinement.

A FREE ribeye or hamburger sandwich will be cooked and served by the Pike County Beef Association following the ribbon cutting.

Directions to the farm are as follows: From I-72—Take the Pittsfield Exit #35, head south on Hwy 54 towards Pittsfield, go 2 miles and turn left on Pleasant Grove Road towards Lake Pittsfield, go 3 miles, farm will be on the right side of the road.

The event is being coordinated by the Illinois Livestock Group (ILDG), which is a coalition of Illinois ag groups committed to expanding and growing the livestock industry. ILDG members include: IL Beef Association, IL Corn Marketing Board, IL Farm Bureau, IL Milk Producers’ Association, IL Pork Producers Association, and IL Soybean Association checkoff program. Part of the on-going efforts of ILDG is to help tell the positive story of livestock in Illinois. One way to accomplish this is helping plan and coordinate Open Houses for new livestock farms.

Other sponsors of the event are: IL Beef Association & IL Beef Checkoff, Longhorn Cattle & Swine Confinement, Pike County Beef Association, Pike County Concrete, Animat, Pike County Lumber, B & B Livestock, Frank & West Environmental Engineers and Custom Precast.

This will be a great opportunity to tour a unique design and production system for raising cows and calves. There will be cattle in the barn during the Open House. The event will also be a great chance to network with beef producers and beef industry representatives. 

For more information about the event contact Jack Kirk at (217) 491-1682.