Siblings Jack and Josie Monat of rural Traer are all smiles as DJ David Braga records their Beef Trivia promotion on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the KIX101.1 studios in Marshalltown. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

AREA – The Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team members have experienced a busy spring.

On Saturday, April 11, team seniors Jillian Hanson (Union High School), Shelby Johnston (West Marshall High School), and Rhianna Murty (GMG High School) traveled to Ames, for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation Youth Beef Team Scholarship competition. Eight contestants vied for a scholarship by completing an individual interview and making a five-to-eight-minute beef presentation. Hanson, Johnston and Murty were each awarded a top $2,000 scholarship.

The following day, Sunday, April 12, the team held its final meeting for the 2025-26 schedule. The meeting kicked off at the KIX101.1 radio studio in Marshalltown to record “Beef Trivia.” These spots will air throughout the month of May in celebration of Iowa’s Beef Month. Be sure to tune into KIX101.1 for the opportunity to participate in the Beef Trivia contest and win a $20 beef certificate sponsored by the team and the Marshall, Story and Tama Cattlemen’s Associations.

The team wrapped up its April 12 meeting by traveling to Rhianna and Skyler Murty’s family farm where they learned about the sisters’ diversified farm and beef operations and enjoyed burgers provided by Iowa Premium.

The Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team welcomes Iowa youth that are age 12 to high school seniors looking to expand agriculture and cattle production knowledge.