Favorite Junior Breed Associations

Okay, I know everyone has been talking about favorite breeds, but what are the best Junior Breeds Associations, National and state. I showed Limousins growing up, but they are not as big as they used to be, but I always loved going to Junior Nationals. Made a lot of friends from all different parts of the country. I would like for my kids to have a similar experience. So what are the pro and cons of your Junior Breed Associations.

The RA breed has several state assn that are pretty active. They have a national board that sponsors 2 events - 1) the RA round up - it rotates from state to state every year and usually has contests, herd tours, University tours and whatever social event the local area may have. 2) The junior stockgrowers contest - it is held in Denver every yearand basically the junior takes a calf and cares for it, they also give a speech to a live crowd and are interviewed by the judges. If they win a donated heifer is the top prize. We do not have a Junior National although spome of us are trying to get one up and going, we are running into resistance from the national office as they think it will take kids away from the Junior Roundup. I think in the near future we will have a junior national as we gradually get the "anti show" people out of positions of power. There are also several scholarships and other programs out there for qualified juniors. RW

American Red Brangus Association and the American Red Angus. I am VERY active in the ARBA and I am the Florida Princess for the Junior association.. And I love showing my red angus heifer.. But my #1 is the American Red Brangus, and my #2 is the American Red Angus Association

I think the Junior Simmental assoc has set it self apart from many breeds. Their junior nationals and regionals are far more than just a show. Kids actually learn about stuff. Public speaking, quizzes, salesmanship, etc...

The Shorthorn breed has an awesome Jr. Nationals. We have all kinds of contests, from fitting, to cooking, to salesmanship, to photography, to interior design...and lots more.  Our show isn't as big as Herfs and Angus, but I'd challenge pretty much any other breed to bring a stronger group of cattle and a better Jr. Program.

I think all of the major breeds have a great junior program.  The Simmental deal is nice because they move the Regional Classics around and they are just like a small Junior National.  But the Angus and Charolais and I am assuming the other breeds as well, have a great junior program with a lot more than just showing cattle.  The leadership and life skills events are awesome  for our young people. 
You may want to look at which state association has a strong junior membership in the different breeds you are interested in,  as this can have a greater affect on how involved the kids get and how much they enjoy it.

Just remember,  they are all good programs, its what the kids make of them that matters.
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simtal said:

I think the Junior Simmental assoc has set it self apart from many breeds. Their junior nationals and regionals are far more than just a show. Kids actually learn about stuff. Public speaking, quizzes, salesmanship, etc...

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I'm a product of the Simmy junior nationals. I may be biased, but no other junior breed association is as committed to the educational contests. The other breeds over the years have amped up their leadership contests by copying the Simmental ones.

A couple years ago they added the skill-a-thon contest just to stay a notch above the other breeds. Also, now I'm an advisor for the Texas Junior Simmental/Simbrah. I love putting together the contests and pushing the kids to learn more and watching their confidence and knowledge grow over the years.

I know all or most of the breeds have great National programs. But, how hard is it to compete, hang with the big boys, how much politics play into it etc............ I would hate to have a really good calf and stand 10 out of 20 and the nine calves in front of my kids all cost over 15,000. I think I would like for them to show either Simmental, Maines, Shorthorn or Angus.


Thanks for all  the info!

BIGTEX said:

I know all or most of the breeds have great National programs. But, how hard is it to compete, hang with the big boys, how much politics play into it etc............ I would hate to have a really good calf and stand 10 out of 20 and the nine calves in front of my kids all cost over 15,000. I think I would like for them to show either Simmental, Maines, Shorthorn or Angus.


Thanks for all  the info!

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We have a national Junior show in conjunction with the adult national show. You won't find many $15,000 heifers in the junior deal in this breed - yet. There are politics in every breed however we probably have less than some. In this breed if you have a really good one , you will probably be in the hunt. RW

BIGTEX said:

I know all or most of the breeds have great National programs. But, how hard is it to compete, hang with the big boys, how much politics play into it etc............ I would hate to have a really good calf and stand 10 out of 20 and the nine calves in front of my kids all cost over 15,000. I think I would like for them to show either Simmental, Maines, Shorthorn or Angus.


Thanks for all  the info!

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Last year, I took a bred and owned heifer, and got 3rd with the Grand Champion in my class.  The truth is though, there sometimes ARE classes that are 15 calves deep, and any of those 15 could probably win a class at a good State Fair. 

ROAD WARRIOR said:

BIGTEX said:

I know all or most of the breeds have great National programs. But, how hard is it to compete, hang with the big boys, how much politics play into it etc............ I would hate to have a really good calf and stand 10 out of 20 and the nine calves in front of my kids all cost over 15,000. I think I would like for them to show either Simmental, Maines, Shorthorn or Angus.


Thanks for all  the info!

Click to expand...

We have a national Junior show in conjunction with the adult national show. You won't find many $15,000 heifers in the junior deal in this breed - yet. There are politics in every breed however we probably have less than some. In this breed if you have a really good one , you will probably be in the hunt. RW

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Red Angus is intriguing. What are some bigger RA breeders in Texas or Oklahoma?

national junior angus association has a great show and all sorts of other events like public speaking quiz bowls etc.

Richard Johnson has a great set of Red Angus. He is not the biggest but he has some good ones in Normangee TX. I don't know if he has any for sale at the moment but he has been doing a bunch of embryo work.

R A Brown Ranch is one of the big ones in Tx, not really geared for the show ring though. Donny Ivey has some good ones, Jerry Henderson in Tx, Jeff Earls in Ok. are a few off the top of my head - there are several more. RW

I'm going to have to say nothing beats the Maine Jr. Association.  Jr. Nationals offers fitting, showmanship, salesmanship, public speaking, photography, poster and quiz bowl contest.  Where I think this association beats the rest is everyone gets to participate, there is no age limit and there is no limit as to the number that can participate, I know in Shorthorn and Angus some of the contest are limited to a select few from each state.  I can tell you in Kansas, Angus and Shorthorn both have much better state associations than the Maines, but I know in Iowa that have a great association with lots of support and participation, I would image it varies in every breed much the same way. 
If you have shown cattle for very long you know there is politics involved at every level, Jr. Nationals is no different, however I think in the contest the playing field is pretty even and every kid has a chance, most are judged by several people and I haven't ever heard much disagreements about the results (in any breed).  I can tell you this regardless of the breed you choose, get involved with you Jr. Association and make the most of what they have to offer, you will never be sorry, it is a great environment for your kids.

The National Junior Angus Show has a fan page on facebook. Just search National Junior Angus Association. It is really neat to see the friendships that these junior members have formed. I am always amazed at the number of scholarships that they Angus Associations gives away.

AIJCA.  American International Junior Charolais Association.  Great organization with a fantastic set of parents and juniors participating.