News : Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team Wraps-up Productive 2024

Moser Angus

Surman Family

Dolezal Family

The Lekin Family recognized as the Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team 2024 Platinium Award

Zach, Maddy and Ray Thompson with the Top Gun Award

IYBT Scholarship Awardees

Vet Clinic Tour Group

Kix 101.1 presented the "Advocate of the Year" to Dr. Kurt Steckelberg, DVM

Dr. Dan Thomson, DVM received the Top Hand pictured with Natalie and Cash

The Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team completed a successful year of advocating and educating themselves and others about the beef industry and beef production. Team members participated in Cattlemen at the Capitol, took field trips, made multiple appearances on radio, made presentations to consumers, and volunteered at the Iowa State Fair. The team also enjoyed trainings at their monthly meetings on the "Cowboy Code" from Helena employee Scott Fischer; a recap from Delaney Nichols on her internships with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association; trained on beef genetics by Iowa State University Drs. Skaar and Culbertson, an overview of beef veterinarian work from Dr. Kurt Steckelberg, DVM; were informed about Iowa livestock rules and regulations from the State of Iowa Head Veterinarian, Dr. Jeff Kaisand, DVM; and updated on beef industry news from the Iowa Beef Industry Council's Director of Communications, Kylie Peterson, and Iowa Cattlemen's Association CEO, Bryan Whaley.

The meeting schedule concluded with a 10-year anniversary celebration for current members, team alums, their families and team supporters. Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds, kicked off the banquet with a congratulatory video and thanked the team for their work on behalf of Iowa Agriculture. Kylie Peterson and Bryan Whaley also thanked the team for their advocacy and educational services. Keynote speaker, Dr. Dan Thomson, shared current beef industry issues and taped the banquet to air on his national podcast, "DocTalk with Dr. Dan Thompson." KIX101.1 radio was awarded, "Advocate of the Decade", Zach Thompson received the "Top Gun Award" and Dolezal Farm Supply, the Jon and Brandi Surman family, and Mosher Angus received the "Legacy Award". Dr. Dan Thomson and Mark Shaffer were recognized for their individual contributions with the annual "Top Hand" award.

The team closed out the year with a field trip to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and Veterinary Hospital. During December 2024, several members and alums were recognized for their achievements. 2025 Seniors Natalie Nichols and Cash Johnston (both West Marshall High School) and juniors Jillian Hanson (Union High School), Rhianna Murty (GMG High School), and Shelby Johnston (West Marshall High School) competed and won scholarships in the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation Beef Scholarship Contest.

The final 2024 activity was the Iowa Cattlemen's Association Annual Convention. Team alums, 2024 Seniors: Adelyn Sienknecht (North Tama High School), Kaylynn Murty (STC High School), Olivia Hanson (Union High School), Ryan Hosek (North Tama High School), and William Kroneman (Benton Community High School) were recognized for their individual $2,000 Iowa Youth Beef Team Scholarship award and each earning a $500 bonus for earning their Masters of Beef Advocacy certification.

The team is honored and grateful for the many supporters that have made contributions to our members' successes. Current team members represent Benton, Black Hawk, Hardin, Marshall, Story, and Tama counties. Iowa Youth that want to learn more about beef production and the beef industry, are 12 years old by July 15, 2025 and have not yet graduated from high school are welcome to join the Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team.