Robbins Family Hosts Cattle Building Open House

02-26-2025 in Cattle

Event to Highlight Environmental Safeguards and Animal Care

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – February 27, 2025 – Farmers interested in learning about the benefits of raising cattle under roof are invited to attend an open house at the Robbins family farm to tour Justin and Lacie Robbins new cattle building on Friday, March 14 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. A complimentary lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. with a program to follow at noon. The Robbins farm is located at 904 Emerald Avenue, Scranton, Iowa.

“The open house is a great opportunity to see how modern livestock buildings enhance animal care and safeguard the environment and how much livestock contributes to our local economy,” said CSIF Executive Director Brian Waddingham. The open house will feature a new 325 head deep-bedded cattle barn with space for 125 cow-calf pairs, 125 feeder calves and 75 fat cattle. The barn will be used year-round with a spring and fall calving herd.

“We’ve definitely seen an increased interest from farmers in placing cattle under roof,” said Waddingham. “This option allows the farmer easy access to monitor the animals and also protects them from inclement weather. The cattle barn also has several unique features including a covered manure bay and headlocks instead of feed bunks the length of the building. The open house will provide Iowa’s cattle farmers with the opportunity to see firsthand cows calving under roof and help them determine if this option is right for them.”

Experts from CSIF will also be available to provide insight into interpreting rules and regulations impacting livestock farms, enhancing relationships with neighbors and choosing good locations for new barns and feedlots. CSIF assistance is available to farm families at no charge. The open house is sponsored by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, Hedgewood Equipment, Accu-Steel and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.

CSIF is a non-profit organization that assists livestock farmers who want help interpreting rules and regulations, guidance on good site locations for barns, counsel on enhancing neighbor relations and tips on how to protect the environment at no cost. For more information, call 1-800-932-2436 or visit www.supportfarmers.com.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers was created by farmers to help farmers raise livestock responsibly and successfully. It’s a joint partnership involving the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Egg Council, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy.

Recommended News