MIYBT members earned scholarships in the 2024 Iowa Cattlemen’s Beef Scholarship Extravaganza contest. Contestants and their schools include (from left) West Marshall High School students Cash Johnston, Natalie Nichols, and Shelby Johnston; GMG High School student Rhianna Murty; and Union High School student Jillian Hanson. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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, 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 Dr.’s 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 Gov. 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.”

The 2024-25 Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team and their families celebrated a decade of service. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

KIX101.1 radio was awarded “Advocate of the Decade,” Zach Thompson received the “Top Gun Award,” while 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 and 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 all recognized for their individual $2,000 Iowa Youth Beef Team Scholarship award and for each earning a $500 bonus for their Masters of Beef Advocacy certification.

Dolezal Farm Supply was recognized as a Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team “Legacy Award” recipient. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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 aged 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.

Adelyn Sienknecht presented the Lekin family and Tama Livestock Auction with a Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team “Legacy Award.” CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Mosher Angus was recognized as a Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team “Legacy Award” recipient. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Surman family was recognized as a Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team “Legacy Award” recipient. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Ray and Maddy Thompson presented their dad Zach with the team’s “Top Gun Award.” CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

President Natalie Nichols, left, and vice president Cash Johnston, right, presented Dr. Dan Thomson, DVM with a “Top Hand Award.” Dr. Dan has been a guest speaker three times and taped an episode of his DocTalk podcast at the banquet. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

KIX101.1 representatives DJ Doris Day, Melia Jeanne, DJ Jonathan Knight, and General Sales Manager Mark Shaffer accepted the MIYBT’s “Advocate of the Decade Award.” Mark also received a “Top Hand Award.” CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CJ and Haddie Kroneman, Shelby Johnston, Natalie Nichols, Julie Gray, Gavin Freiberg, Grant Dolezal, Rhianna Murty, Parker Schmidt, Taelyn Sash, Jillian Hanson, Kinley Johnston, and Makenna Burmeister toured the Iowa State University Diagnostics Laboratory and Hospital. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO