TAMA COUNTY – The Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team held their Annual Family Banquet on Sunday, Nov. 8. The meeting kicked off with a video showcasing the many activities the team completed over the past year.

A 2027 senior tribute followed with a video watching them grow from a newborn to today, a young adult, leaving their positive footprint.

Kent Keech, from Keech Hay and Baling and the Story County Cattlemen, was awarded the team’s 2026 Top Hand award. Extravaganza teams made entertaining, educational presentations: Dalaney Eldridge and Jordyn Hadley presented on beef by-products, Skyler Murty and Parker Schmidt presented on advocacy, and Luke Stalzer and Gaving Freiberg presented on beef technology.

Jim Mosher awarded their family’s 2026 Norval Mosher Memorial Scholarship to Gavin Freiberg.

Jason Lekin wrapped up the banquet sharing some market insights and recognizing a bright future for the beef industry with the commitment from our Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team members!