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Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team learns about beef genetics

It was a full house for the MIYBT October meeting. Members were eager to expand their knowledge on beef genetics and sire selection. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIE GRAY
Ava (North Tama); Kari (STC); Rhianna, Skyler & Alaney (GMG) negotiated with Logan and Preston on a bull sale. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIE GRAY
With only a $10 difference, Team Corny, members including Adelyn (GMG), Grant (STC), and Hudson won third place honors. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIE GRAY

The Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team (MIYBT) held its monthly meeting on October 1, 2023, at the Marshall County Extension Office. The team was honored to host guest speakers, Iowa State University professors, Dr. Miranda Culbertson and Dr. Brad Skaar.

Dr. Culbertson first shared beef genetic information. She had team members exchange bags of different colored jellybeans to demonstrate how genes pair up to create offspring.

Dr. Brad Skaar next taught the team about EPD’s and how to use them in sire selection to achieve herd goals. Using Dr. Skaar’s training, the members divided into teams to compete in the “Bull buyers and sellers” competition. Negotiations were fast and furious! The top three buying teams were within a $20 spread! It was another educational and fun MIYBT meeting!