Livestock industry…
20 young stockmen make up the 2023 KLA Young Stockmen’s Academy
Pictured are (left to right, front row) Cooper Imthurn, Maple Hill; Allison Castilleja, Satanta; Erica Auchard, Cimarron; Emily Grund, Wamego; Leslie Smith, Ashland; Tara Bina, Halstead; Jack Adams, plains; Brody Thayer, La Cygne; (Left to right, middle row) Garret Smith, Great Bend; Logan Hoobler, Perry; Bubba Sullivan, Sublette; Cole Baumgartner, Westmoreland; Kyler Jost, Spring Hill; Eric Blythe, White City; Jose Woolfolk, Hugoton; (Left to right, back row) Cole Renner, Monument; Jay Ziegelmeier, Hays; Garrett Otter, Almena; Arlan Newby, Haven; and Cody Howell, Chanute. (Courtesy photo)
TOPEKA, Kan. – A group of 20 young stockmen from across the state met in Topeka Feb. 14-15 for the inaugural 2023 KLA Young Stockmen’s Academy (YSA). Merck Animal Health is again partnering with the association to host these members for an in-depth look at the KLA and the livestock industry. A series of four seminars will be held throughout the year in various Kansas locations.
During this session, attendees learned about the range of member services provided by the KLA, heard about the importance of being an advocate for the livestock industry, saw KLA lobbyists in action on the Capitol, and took part at KLA legislative meeting. As part of an interactive training session conducted by KLA staff and WIBW-Topeka broadcaster Greg Akagi, the group was given an overview of the various media available to help tell the story of beef production. In addition, YSA members attended a meeting of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee at the Capitol and attended a financial planning seminar hosted by Pinion.
Members of the YSA 2023 class are Jack Adams, Plains; Erica Auchard, Cimarron; Cole Baumgartner, Westmoreland; Tara Bina, Halstead; Eric Blythe, White City; Allison Castile; Satanta; Emily Grund, Wamego; Logan Hoobler, Perry; Cody Howell, Chanute; Cooper Imthurn, Maple Hill; Kyler Jost, Spring Hill; Arlan Newby, Haven; Garrett Otter, Almena; Cole Renner, Monument; Garrett Smith, Big Bend; Leslie Smith, Ashland; Bubba Sullivan, Sublette; Brody Thayer, La Cygne; Jose Woolfolk, Hugoton; and Jay Ziegelmeier, Hays.
The second session for the YSA class will be held in May. Members will have the opportunity to learn more about the agribusiness and retail beef industry. More information about YSA can be found at www.kla.org.
KLA is a trade organization representing the business interests of 5,700 members at both the state and federal levels. Voluntary dues dollars contributed by producers are used for programs benefiting KLA members in the areas of legislative representation, regulatory assistance, legal troubleshooting, communications, and youth advancement.
– Kansas Livestock Association
