Hereford Junior Nationals

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Showin a Shorty

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2011
Messages
87
I am watching online and following with the show program and I noticed that they have classes call "Junior AI Bull" and "Junior AI Heifer." I know it seems obvious what this is but I could not find the definition of these classes. Could someone help me out? Thanks!!
 

obie105

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 17, 2011
Messages
780
They had a program where breeders donated semen then juniors would apply to get that semen. The resulting calves were eligible.
 
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
24
It was started by the horned junior association before the merger, way back when AI was a new technology.  You choose sires from a list, receive two straws of semen and a certificate (but usually pay the shipping yourself), and a resulting calf can be shown in the special class.  Some years they will have only two or three entries, some years a dozen or more.  Winners usually get the same type of award as the champion owned or bred and owned heifer.

The list of available sires has grown shorter in recent years, although some top breeders listed their entire AI sire offereing. Some folks pick a bull they are using anyway, and then the best calf they get ends up in the Junior AI class.  They announced this year that they are ending the program, and that next year will be the last to have those classes at the junior national.  It was a good idea back in the day to encourage AI, but doesn't make as much sense today.
 
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