Activities keep JC Youth Beef Team busy

Published by admin on Wed, 06/25/2025 - 9:24am

Members of the Youth Beef Tem study meat samples, with help from speaker Beth McQuillen (far left). With her from left are Addy Appelhans, Grace Pinckney and Aubrey Lasack. (Photo submitted)

Team members learned about ruminant nutrition, studying various stomach compartments. From left are Dani Gravel, Wesley Meyer, Reagan Stoll and Emily Leytem. (Photos submitted)

Participating in a Youth Beef Team trip to labs and other buildings in Ames, first row from left: Greta Cooper, Macey Burlage, Aubrey Lasack, Haili Schlarmann, Grace Pinckney, Lilly Stoll, Addy Appelhans, Reagan Stoll and Jorja Jacobs. Second row: Caitlin Besler, Wesley Meyer, Porter Campbell, Alyssa Wickman and Lane Weber.
By: 
Staff report

   The Jones County Youth Beef Team was busy this past spring with a variety of educational events.

   One of those was a presentation from Beth McQuillen on selling meat on the grid versus live weight, carcass evaluations based on yield and quality grade, which was demonstrated on meat samples. McQuillen, the guest speaker, holds a master’s degree in meat science.

   In another event, beef nutritionist Katie Wernimont joined the group to share knowledge and expertise on ruminant nutrition. The team gained insights about various stomach compartments, and their functions and changes as a beef animal matures. Wernimont also covered topics such as feed rations, reading bunks, body condition scores, and feedstuffs.

   The team also visited Ames as part of its yearly beef business tour. One of the stops was the Iowa State Meat Lab, along with the Vet Diagnostic Lab, Beef Headquarters, Vet-Med, Vytelle Lab, Research Farm and more.

   “It is a vital part of our mission to educate the younger generation about the beef industry,” the Jones County Beef Producers wrote in its newsletter.

   “This program offers training and education to young beef industry advocates to positively promote Iowa’s beef industry,” the newsletter continues. “Our organization provides hands-on educational learning opportunities to the youth beef team.”

   Some of those include beef business tours, artificial insemination demonstrations, calving and chiro clinics, guest speakers, community engagement events, beef books programs, and more.

   Those interested in learning more about the youth beef team, or have a student seeking membership, are asked to contact the JCBP at jonescountybeefproducers@gmail.com.

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