This year 27 young Iowa cattle producers from around the state participated in the 2017 Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association program consists of a series of five educational sessions designed to develop leadership qualities in young cattle farmers. The group focused on leadership strategies, policy development, production practices and legislative advocacy.

The YCLP class also helps develop and employ the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association’s Carcass Challenge. “We commend this year’s YCLP class for their recruitment efforts,” ICA President Mike Cline says. Earlier this fall, 75 head of feeder steers were delivered to Kennedy Cattle Co. The proceeds from the Carcass Challenge will be used to fund educational programming, leadership development and advocacy training for cattle producers.

The program graduates will be honored at the 2017 Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit on Dec. 7-8 in Ames. All cattle producers are invited to attend and learn more about the ICA and opportunities for involvement. More information about the event and the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program is at iacattlemen.org.

Graduates
The 2017 Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program graduates and their county of residence are:
Darrin Axline, Cedar
Patrick Bries, Dubuque  
Holly Bries, Dubuque  
Allison Brown, Wayne  
David Bruene, Story  
Molly Bruene, Story  
Wesley Christensen, Clay  
Adam Darrington, Pottawattamie   
Jake Driver, Pottawattamie  
Dawn Edler, Benton  
Ryan Healy, Marion  
Travis Hosteng, Story  
Delaney Howell, Louisa  
Grant Klopfenstein, Henry  
Tyler Krug, Benton   
Matt Lansing, Dubuque   
Clara Lauritsen, Audubon   
Andrew Lauver, Calhoun   
Tanner Lawton, Greene  
Jacob Louth, Jefferson   
Grant Rathje, Douglas   
Peyton River, Jackson   
Leslie Ruby, Clarke   
Patrick Ryherd, Marshall   
Shaniel Smith, Appanoose  
Brian Tuttle, O'Brien   
Drew Weyers, Marion  

2018 class
The next YCLP class has also been named, and will meet for the first time in January. Participants in 2018 include:
Daweyn Albertsen, Tama  
Paul Anderson, Delaware  
Crystal Blin, Buchanan  
Robert Cumming, Monona  
Eric Franje, Mahaska  
Krista Frazee, Mills  
Ben Halvorson, Adams  
Andee Hammen, Webster/Calhoun
Benjamin Hein, Jones  
Whitney Hein, Jones  
David Scott Herbold, Woodbury  
Emily Kennedy, Cass  
Zak Kennedy, Cass  
Cody Korthaus, Appanoose  
Logan Lafrenz, Cedar  
Blair Lincoln, Clayton  
Jeremy Maass, Ringgold  
Katelyn Maass, Ringgold  
Mindy Meyer, Clayton  
Katie Morey, Palo Alto  
Travis Morey, Palo Alto  
Kyle Musfeldt, Guthrie  
Tim Pansegrau, Marshall  
Kylie Peterson, Monroe  
Austin Sorensen, Taylor  
Brooke Stowater, Cherokee  
Cody Stowater, Cherokee  
Dakota Sullivan, Madison  
Sean Robinson, Sioux  
Adam Ryan, Delaware  
Sydney Weis, Union  
Shayne Wiese, Carroll  
Brent Winter, Winnebago  

Source: Iowa Cattlemen’s Association