By Scout Nelson
The 2026 Young Stockmen’s Academy, organized by the Kansas Livestock Association, recently gathered in the Kansas City area for its second seminar of the year. The event took place May 4-6 and gave participants an opportunity to learn more about the beef retail, foodservice, and animal health industries while also strengthening communication skills with consumers.
Class members from across Kansas spent three days visiting businesses and organizations connected to the beef industry. The seminar focused on helping future livestock leaders better understand how beef products move from producers to consumers.
Merck Animal Health, the exclusive sponsor of the Young Stockmen’s Academy, hosted the class at facilities located in Lawrence, De Soto, and Lenexa, Kansas. Participants toured research laboratories and livestock facilities while learning more about animal health products, veterinary research, and livestock care. Company staff also discussed career opportunities and the importance of animal health within the agriculture industry.
Additional tours were provided by Bichelmeyer Meats, Sysco, and Walmart Manufacturing. These businesses shared information about how they prepare, process, and distribute beef products while meeting customer expectations and food safety standards.
The class also visited two Hy-Vee grocery store locations where members prepared and served Kansas City strip steak samples to consumers. During the event, students spoke with shoppers about beef nutrition, preparation, and the role of beef in a healthy diet.
Before the grocery store visits, Kansas Beef Council Director of Nutrition Abby Heidari met with the group to discuss strategies for connecting with consumers and promoting beef products. Participants also visited Whole Foods Market and Fareway Meat Market to learn more about specialty protein marketing and consumer preferences.
Tours continued at the Kansas City BBQ Store and Jack Stack Barbecue’s Lenexa location, where participants observed beef preparation methods for both restaurants and home cooking.
Members of the 2026 Young Stockmen’s Academy class include James Brack of Moscow, Sierra Cargill of Medicine Lodge, Gatlin Clawson of Meade, Brooke Falk of Harveyville, MaKala Fitzsimmons of Cunningham, Shane Flach of Manhattan, Casey Giffing of Ulysses, Hannah Grund of Wallace, Nick Higgason of Olmitz, Justine Johns of Minneapolis, Luke Kaiser of Grinnell, Adalaide Kline of Colby, Brady McComb of Pratt, Nick Nowak of Ellis, Quinton Porter of Hays, Jack Roenne of Great Bend, Skye Schumaker of Pratt, Baylee Shultz of Berryton, Teagan Sturdy-Milliken of Lyndon, and Taylee Velasquez of Hugoton.
The class will meet again in September for tours of beef and dairy operations across central and western Kansas.
Photo Credit: kansas-livestock-foundation
Categories: Kansas, Business, Livestock, Beef Cattle