Kansas Livestock Association
TOPEKA — Twenty young Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) members from across the state graduated from the Young Stockmen’s Academy (YSA) November 21 during the annual KLA Convention. Merck Animal Health again partnered with KLA to host members in their 20s for a series of four seminars throughout 2025. The program, which began in 2006, now has graduated 376 members.
The annual KLA Convention in Manhattan was the fourth and final session for this year’s class. Participants had the opportunity to gain additional industry knowledge and network with other KLA members from across the state during the three-day event. YSA members also got a firsthand look at the inner workings of the association by attending the KLA Chairmen’s Circle meeting and participated in the policy-making process by joining in on committee and council meetings.
During their first session in Topeka in February, attendees participated in advocacy and media training, were exposed to the state legislative process and learned about member services provided by KLA and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. In May, the class met in the Kansas City area, where they learned about beef marketing, agribusiness and the animal health industry. In September, the third installment allowed the group to tour beef and dairy operations throughout eastern and central Kansas that represented various segments of each industry.
Members of the 2025 YSA class are Paige Adams, Hutchinson; Kyler Berning, Leoti; Walker Clawson, Meade; Jenna Fitzsimmons, Cunningham; Jenna Goetzmann, Manhattan; Hayden Guetterman, Bucyrus; Luke Higgason, Larned; Jenna Hlavaty, Cimarron; Hunter Hope, Jetmore; Jordan Koons, Buffalo, OK; Elizabeth Lutz, Nickerson; Camryn Ricker, Ford; Jamie Schaake, Garden City; Luke Schneider, Saint John; Madelyn Stackley, El Dorado; Caleb Volkman, Hugoton; Daniel Walsh, Manhattan; Clayton Wharton, Syracuse; Cassandra Wolff, Caldwell; and Wyatt Woods, Cimarron.
KLA is a 5,500-member trade organization representing the state’s livestock business on legislative, regulatory and industry issues at both the state and federal levels. The association’s work is funded through voluntary dues dollars paid by its members.