BioZyme® Inc., longtime supporter of Hereford youth, announced its commitment to educating youth in agriculture with a $30,000 contribution to the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Fed Steer Shootout through the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and BioZyme’s Feed the Future Program during the American Hereford Association (AHA) Hereford Honorees Program Oct. 26.
“We are proud and excited about the educational opportunities involving Hereford youth,” said Bob Norton, BioZyme CEO. “Feed the Future was created to support the HYFA academic component, where education extends beyond the classroom. BioZyme firmly believes in activities and experiences that are engaging, relevant and expose our young folks to new opportunities. The Hereford Fed Steer Shootout is such a program providing knowledge about the industry from a commercial perspective to perhaps a different audience than the show circuit.”
In year two, the Fed Steer Shootout more than doubled in size and participation. Thirty-seven youth from 13 states entered 149 steers in the Fed Steer Shootout program. Throughout the program, contestants had the opportunity to collect actual feed yard performance and carcass merit data, ultimately learning about the importance of ultrasound technology, genetics and health. All steers were fed at Gregory Feedlots in Tabor, Iowa, managed by David Trowbridge.
One of BioZyme’s company principles is outreach. BioZyme is committed to outreach that encourages engagement and supports various organizations in stewardship and humanity. BioZyme is dedicated to the youth livestock industries and supports students and exhibitors through programs such as the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout.
Not only will participants enter steers in the contest, the new partnership will allow the NJHA to incorporate more educational components into the program as well. In addition to the existing webpage and webinars offered to youth, participants can now learn from a series of educational e-blasts and curriculum.
