Visitors to the 2026 North American Manure Expo being held at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wayne, Nebraska on July 28-30 will have the chance to explore some of the region’s most innovative and sustainability‑focused agricultural operations during the event’s official tour day on July 28, 2026. All tours will begin and end at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, offering participants a convenient launch point for a day of hands‑on learning.
Organizers have curated five tours, each highlighting different aspects of manure management and livestock production, as well as conservation and agricultural innovation in Nebraska. Participants will have the option of choosing one or two half-day long tours or one full-day tour. While the full day tour is the “family friendly” option, families are welcome on any of the tours.
Innovation in Livestock and Manure Equipment
This tour features a half-day exploration of two livestock operations and one manufacturing facility. Participants will visit Zobel Family Farms, a three-generation beef and pork operation recognized with the 2013 Environmental Stewardship Award for its commitment to responsible production practices. The tour then stops at Bar K, a beef feedlot that showcases a deep pit confinement system designed to protect the environment. The final stop is West Point Implement, a regional leader in manure application and feedlot management equipment, including the well-known SpreadAll Manure Spreader line.
Composting, Renewable Energy and Modern Cattle Care
This half‑day experience highlighting agricultural operations that transform waste into valuable resources. Stops include Bacon Hill Farm, home to an anaerobic digester that generated methane‑powered electricity beginning in 2005 and operated for 15 years as part of Olean Energy; Doernemann Composting, a permitted facility established in 1999 that provides composting services alongside a construction and demolition landfill; and Reigle Cattle Company, a family‑run cattle operation that recently expanded with the addition of new roller‑compacted concrete pens.
Poultry Production and Manufacturing
Experience a look at the poultry industry from barn to processing and equipment manufacturing. Participants will take a drive‑by tour of a broiler farm, where the on‑board guide will highlight key features of the active broiler facility. The tour then stops at the Lincoln Premium Poultry Processing Plant, a state‑of‑the‑art Fremont facility built to supply Costco’s rotisserie chickens and capable of processing more than 10 million pounds of chicken each week while employing roughly 1,200 workers. The final stop is Mighty Giant, a factory that produces tub grinders and litter‑loading equipment essential for poultry manure handling.
Research, Technology and Regenerative Farming
The tour includes the Haskell Agricultural Laboratory, a University of Nebraska site featuring long-term organic versus inorganic fertilizer trials, nitrogen-sensing technology, and insights into nearby egg producer Michael Foods.
It also stops at the Kvols Beef Feedlot, a multi-generation livestock operation that expanded with the addition of a deep-pit beef barn and shares real-world experiences with the system.
The final stop is the Junior Pfanstiel Farm, a 270-acre regenerative organic operation focused on reducing chemical inputs and improving soil fertility through the use of cover crops.
Family‑Focused
This tour is a full-day experience designed for visitors of all ages and features a blend of agriculture, wildlife and Nebraska history. The tour begins at Pfanny’s Farm, a family-owned agritourism destination dedicated to land stewardship and known for combining traditional and modern crop and livestock management practices that support long-term soil and natural resource health.
Participants also visit 4 Aces Dairy, a 180-head robotic dairy where automation significantly reduces labor needs and guests can observe milking technology in action through a 24/7 viewing room.
The tour continues with a stop at Grove Lake Wildlife Management Area, home to a 50-acre fishing lake and more than 2,000 acres of prime habitat for deer, turkey, pheasant and quail, where visitors will enjoy a boxed lunch.
The day concludes at the Ashfall Fossil Beds, a rare type of fossil site called lagerstätten that provides an exceptional ecological “snapshot” of ancient organisms.
A Day Designed for Learning and Inspiration
With options suited to professionals, families and anyone curious about modern agriculture, the 2026 North American Manure Expo tours offer a unique window into the future of manure management, conservation and food production. Learn more about the manure expo and watch for registration on the event site.
