A Working Ranch,

Not a conference room.

See real grazing, tech, and herd decisions in action at Sycamore Creek Ranch. 

Join fellow cattle producers at Sycamore Creek Ranch for a free, hands-on field day focused on practical grazing, ranch technology, herd performance and conservation opportunities you can evaluate for your own operation.

Free to Attend Dinner Included September 10, 2026 Sycamore Creek Ranch | Fayette, MO Main Tour: 1:00–8:30 p.m.
SAVE MY FREE SPOT

Seating and dinner are limited - RSVP to hold your place by Sept 4th.

BUILT FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS

Leave with ideas you can actually use.

This is not sustainability theory for theory's sake. It's a chance to see practices in action, ask practical questions and decide what could make sense on your own operation.

01

Make more of your grass

Explore grazing strategies that support productive pasture, smarter forage use and long-term resilience.

02

See which ranch tech can pay

Look at ranch technology through the question that matters: does it improve the operation enough to justify the investment?

03

Strengthen herd performance

Connect genetics, animal health and animal care decisions to productivity and long-term performance.

04

Find programs that can help

Hear about conservation programs, grazing-management resources and support available to producers.

YES, I WANT TO ATTEND
cattle grazing

THIS ISN'T A CONFERENCE

It's a day on the ranch.

Walk the operation. See demonstrations. Ask questions. Compare notes with producers and experts who understand the realities of cattle production.

The Sustainable Ranchers Tour is built around practical, on-ranch learning: what's working, what is difficult, what it costs and what might make sense for your own operation.

  • Hands-on demonstrations
  • Producer-to-producer discussion
  • Technical resources you can use
  • Time to ask real questions
SHOW ME THE RANCH

Meet the Host

Anita and Wayne Vanderwert
Sycamore Creek
Anita and Wayne Vanderwert operate Sycamore Creek near Fayette, Missouri, where they raise Sim-Angus cattle and stay deeply involved in Missouri’s beef community. Anita serves as president of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and Executive Director of Missouri ALOT, bringing more than 25 years of agricultural communications, marketing, and leadership experience. Wayne is a longtime cattle producer with a strong background in genetics and cow-calf production.

As hosts of the Sustainable Ranchers Tour, the Vanderwerts offer a practical look at what sustainability means on a working cattle operation: caring for the land, making sound business decisions, and keeping the next generation of agriculture in mind.
Anita and Wayne Vanderwert
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

What you'll experience at Sycamore Creek

The main ranch program begins at 1:00 p.m. Come early for optional BQA certification and MU educational sessions.

1:00 p.m.
Welcome + Farm Journal Intelligence Briefing on the State of the Beef Industry
1:15–1:30
NRCS Rainfall Simulator
1:45–2:15
Introduction to Sycamore Creek Ranch
2:15–3:15
Principles of Regenerative Grazing
3:15–4:00
Ranch Technologies That Pay
4:00–4:45
Genetics, Animal Health & Animal Care in Sustainability
5:00 p.m.
Refreshments
5:30–6:00
The Value of Grazing Management Plans
6:00–6:45
Conservation Programs Lightning Round + Barriers to Adoption Discussion
6:45–7:30
Ag Advocacy & Beef Supply Chain Sustainability Panel
7:30–8:30
Catered Dinner