Cattle Bus Tour: Integrating Research, Production, Processing, and Marketing
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 • 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
This bus tour offers a comprehensive look at the cattle production and marketing systems in Southside Virginia. Participants will visit a meat processing facility, a research-based agroforestry grazing management site (silvopasture), a diversified dairy and beef operation with a working creamery (with local ice cream tasting), and an active livestock auction market. The tour demonstrates how research, on-farm management, processing, and marketing connect to support sustainable, resilient, and profitable cattle operations, while providing practical insights into value added opportunities and regional agricultural infrastructure. A final schedule will be emailed to participants 1-week prior to bus tour. Participants must wear long pants and close-toed shoes while visiting each site. Bring a bagged lunch or food to enjoy at the working creamery stop. A meal WILL NOT be provided. Bus will depart promptly at 7am and return by 6pm
For more information, contact Ben Dukes at 804-731-7916 or bdukes@vsu.edu or Tabitha Bugg at 804-892-2997 or tbugg@vsu.edu.
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