ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without a vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world,” said Joel E. Barker. Amid ever changing conditions the 2020 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) is still continuing as scheduled on July 5-11 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
“At this point in time, we have every intention of continuing with the show as currently scheduled,” said Jaclyn Upperman, American Angus Association director of events and education. “Obviously, this entire situation continues to evolve, and we are monitoring and planning as best as we can.”
Time is already ticking, and in a few short months, it will be time for many junior Angus member’s and their families’ favorite week of the year. In the agricultural industry, it’s known that leaders inspire leaders.
“It’s the best seven days of the year,” Upperman said. “It is truly a week that we look forward to all year long because all the Angus family is together in one place.”
The schedule of events is available online at njas.info, along with entry forms. In addition to show entry forms, contest sign-up will be available online through AAA Login.
Junior Show
On average, more than 1,000 head of registered Angus cattle compete in classes including owned heifers, bred-and-owned (B&O) heifers, cow-calf pairs, steers and B&O bulls. New to the NJAS this year, juniors will have the opportunity to step into the ring one more time if they choose to compete in the Phenotype and Genotype Show (PGS).
The PGS show will be held Thursday, July 9 at 8 a.m. PGS creates an additional competitive opportunity while also allowing junior members to learn the value of Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) as part of the process in selecting quality seedstock.
Entry deadlines have been modified in response to the “Coronavirus” pandemic, and exhibitors and their families will be notified of any other changes. May 15 is the paper entry deadline, and May 16-25 is the online entry and ownership deadline. Participants can submit entries online at www.angus.org/njaa. Check-in for the 2020 NJAS will begin at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 5, and all entries must be in by 8 p.m. that same evening.
Educational contests/events
The educational component of the week allows junior members to gain knowledge and confidence to think on their feet, as well as an opportunity to develop professional skills in contests.
A number of the contests are evaluated before NJAS. These contests include photography, graphic design and creative writing and are evaluated prior to the event to allow those who can’t attend a chance to compete.
Contests include team sales, team fitting, extemporaneous speaking, livestock judging, cook-off, prepared public speaking, career development, quiz bowl, skill-a-thon, poster, auctioneering and an overall stockman. Youth interested in participating in contests hosted at the NJAS can sign up during cattle check-in at the show.
States can enter teams in the team sales, quiz bowl, team fitting, team marketing and the American Angus Auxiliary-sponsored All-American Certified Angus Beef ® (CAB®) Cook-off. Each state also competes in the herdsmanship contest and can enter their state’s scrapbook into competition.
In addition to the busy week’s schedule, the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) hosts its annual meeting. At this meeting, two delegates from each state attend to review the organization’s bylaws and elect the “new six” that will serve on the National Junior Angus Board of Directors on the 2020-2021 team. The new officers and directors will be announced during the closing ceremonies at the end of the week.
Visit the NJAA website for more information on contest deadlines or contact the Events and Education department at Events@angus.org Please note, there are no exceptions to any of the ownership or entry deadlines.
— Karen Hiltbrand, Angus Communications
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