Youth from three states visited the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus to participate in the 18th annual Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium (NYBLS) on Dec. 2-4.
The event introduces participating high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to career opportunities and current issues in the beef industry, in addition to offering education and practice in leadership skills. Speakers from the University and representatives from the Nebraska Beef Council, Nebraska Cattlemen, and producers educated attendees about all aspects of the industry from farm to fork. Students from Nebraska, Kansas, and Kentucky made up the group of 45 participants in this year's event, increasing the total attendance to 725 since the event began in 2004.
"We try to introduce participants to a wide range of topics in the beef industry," said Alli Raymond, Animal Science Recruitment Coordinator. "No matter what your interests are, there is a career for you in the industry."
Day one of the event featured an overview of the beef industry by Dr. Jim MacDonald, professor of ruminant nutrition, followed by a demonstration on the breakdown of a carcass by Dr. Michaella Fevold, professor of practice in meat science. The demonstration was followed by sessions about beef palatability and flavor by Dr. Chris Calkins, emeritus professor of meat science, and Dr. Gary Sullivan, associate professor of meat science. Mitch Rippe of the Nebraska Beef Council also spoke about the role of beef in a healthy diet. Dr. Ruth Woiwode, Assistant Professor and Extension Animal Behavior and Well-Being Specialist, finished the afternoon with a session about animal care and welfare. Following a networking dinner with beef industry representatives and a keynote by Dr. Tom Field, Jacy Schafer of Nebraska Cattlemen spoke to the group to close out day one.
Adam Wegner of the Nebraska Beef Council kicked off day two with a session about beef marketing, followed by a session about food safety and a session with professional chef John Kennedy. Group project development led to lunch, which was followed by information from Sue Ellen Pegg of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) and a campus scavenger hunt. Day two was closed with an introductory session on careers in the industry by Blaine French, Assistant Professor of Practice of Livestock Evaluation & Youth Programs, and Ashley Benes, Nebraska 4-H Youth Development Coordinator, presented, followed by rotating sessions about marketing, product development, and bridging research to the education of consumers.
The final day focused on the products developed by the groups. Each group presented its product and marketing plan and received feedback from the panel of judges.
Eight participants were also awarded $500 CASNR scholarships, including Whitley Rut (Arthur, NE), Alexa Carter (Rising City, NE), Jacie Wolfinger (Lexington, NE), Mollie Webb (Glasgow, KY), Austin Black (Blair, NE), Lilee Chevalier (Bennet, NE), Spencer Walahowski (Overton, NE), and Bethany Nichols (Bridgeport, NE).
"Nebraska is known as the beef state, and there are a lot of passionate people about the industry in this state," said Raymond. "The future of the beef industry is in good hands with the youth that we've seen come through this program over the years."
The NYBLS Planning Committee team members consisted of: Ashley Benes, Blaine French, Alli Raymond, Bryan Reiling and Gary Sullivan.
