The Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will offer two sessions this year in order to reach high school students earlier – one for freshman and sophomores and another for juniors and seniors.

“This educational symposium will allow students to network with beef industry leaders and hear about innovative cattle production practices,” said Dennis Brink, UNL animal science professor.

The first session Nov. 2-3 will be geared toward freshman and sophomores and will give them an introduction to the beef industry – an overview, interaction with faculty about current research, meat science, beef quality assurance, marketing and an introduction to careers.

They will also have an opportunity to work on a team project and do an infomercial about beef and the benefits of it in the diet.

Concluding on Nov. 3, freshman and sophomores will attend a career panel and banquet along with the juniors and seniors who have just arrived for their session. Students will be able to meet with industry sponsors.

The Nov. 3-5 session will be geared toward juniors and seniors and will follow the traditional route of NYBLS – more in-depth information about the beef industry, meat science, marketing and the opportunity to work with a professional chef. Teams will take in presentations, but also will have the opportunity to work with the chef to create a new beef dish using beef value cuts.

In addition, six $500 UNL College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources will be awarded to juniors and senior participants.

For more information about the Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium, including a list of sponsors, or to register, visit its website at http://nybls.unl.edu.

More information also is available by contacting Sara Ellicott at 402-624-8030, email sellicott2@unl.edu or Brink at 402-472-6446, email dbrink1@unl.edu.

Registration is $30 due by Oct. 1. Late registration is $50 by Oct. 10. Registration includes all materials, meals and lodging.