Next Chapter

As we all return home from the National shows, life slows down a bit. We are greeted with warming weather, calving season, and turkeys gobbling. It has been another amazing year of cattle shows for the Shorthorn breed with a record number of entries. The cattle sales have been through the roof as the demand is rising for elite Shorthorn females and the bulls it takes to make them. It is a great time to buy into this breed. We are all sitting on the edge of our seats to see where the breed goes in the next 5 years!

We have a lot coming up on the calendar as a junior board and the AJSA.

First, I would like to remind everyone of the 50/50 raffle that is going on for the youth development fund to help raise money for the National Junior Shorthorn Show. Tickets are $20 and the winner gets half of the money raised! Please contact a junior board member or Shelby to purchase tickets.

This year the NJSS will be in the beautiful city of Des Moines, Iowa. Entries and ownership deadline is May 1 with a late entry deadline of May 15. Keep this in mind when out buying calves this spring.

One of my favorite experiences on the board was the Summit in 2021 in Amarillo. This year it will be in Phoenix, Arizona. I strongly encourage you to go, the experience was amazing. You can find more details about that on AJSA website or the Summit Facebook page. Contact Shelby for any questions.

Junior Board applications will be due on April 10th. I know I have enjoyed my time on the board, met a lot of good people, learned some amazing leadership skills, and gained another family. I’m excited for the next chapter in my life, and I’m excited to see who I pass my jacket onto so that person can continue the red jacket legacy. It has always been an honor being on this board and writing these articles. See you all in June, eat beef, and God bless.

Do you want to be a leader for junior members?

The AJSA junior board members lead Shorthorn youth, assist with junior national planning, help fundraise and more! If you are interested in applying, visit juniorshorthorn.org for the application and requirements. Applications are due April 10 to shelby@shorthorn.org.

Junior Board

President :: Faye Smith

Vice President :: Miller Smith

Secretary :: Colton Hulsey

Public Relations :: Merideth Behrens

Fundraising :: Xavier Ferris

Director :: Ryan Lane

Director :: Amanda Smee

Director :: Brayden DeBorde

Director :: Haylee Ferguson

2023

Words of Advice

“Eat beef and God bless.”

New for 2023!

Speech Contest: ALL speech participants must submit a video giving their speech by May 15 to contests@shorthorn.org. Judges will evaluate the submitted videos for the age divisions with more than 15 participants. The judges will select a top 15 that will compete at junior national for placing. The top 15 will be notified if they have made it to the placing round. The elimination round and placing round will each have a different set of judges.

Showmanship: If you plan to participate in showmanship you must sign-up online during entry. You will not be able to sign up in person at junior national. Showmanship heats will be broken before arriving to the junior national based on sign-up during entry. Ages will be randomized within the age divisions.

Contest Age Divisions as of Jan. 1, 2023: Prospector I: 5-9 || Prospector II: 10-12 || Intermediate: 13-16 || Senior: 17-21

*Exhibitors must be 7 to exhibit cattle or compete in showmanship*

Upcoming Deadlines:

April 10 - Junior Board Application Deadline

May 1 - Scholarship Deadline

May 1 - Ownership Deadline

(must have registration number to enter!!)

May 1 - Entry Deadline

(Entry fees go up after May 1)

May 15 - Late Entry Deadline

May 15 - Photography, Graphic Design, Speech and Career Development contests due to contests@shorthorn.org

Entry Fees: Entry Fee: $45

Late Entry Fee: $75 after May 1

Bedding Fee: $50 includes stalling and tieout bedding

Exhibitor Fee: $50 includes meal packet, t-shirt, contest fee

Extra Meal Packet: $35 includes two meals - opening and awards ceremony

Extra Shirts: $15

Visit juniorshorthorn.org for schedule, complete contest and show rules plus more!

If you have any additional questions, contact shelby@shorthorn.org