What a great National Junior Show we had this year at the Brazos Expo Center in Bryan, Texas! Congratulations to all of the American Junior Red Brangus Association members that participated in the National Junior Show.

All the junior members and their families enjoyed several activities such as: pizza party, swimming, costume contests, skilla-thon, public speaking, livestock judging, showmanship, team-fitting contest, and of course the livestock show.

We would like to thank Nick Dow for providing a Fitting Demonstration to our juniors. This was a wonderful seminar that gave our exhibitors pointers on grooming, clipping, and daily care
of their animals. It was great to see our juniors put the skills learned into use at the team-fitting contest and then again at the livestock show itself.

Thanks to Corey and Shannon Suire, everyone at the show was treated to a homemade Cajun dinner of jambalaya and beans. It was a wonderful way to end a great day of contests at the barn! We want to extend a big thank you to them for their contribution to the show family.

Junior Officer Kayden Mascheck and his father Todd Mascheck provided beautiful portfolios for all our contests 2nd and 3rd place winners. We greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness and support of the show with these prizes.

This year’s show had twelve first time exhibitors and many returning as veterans to the show. There were thirty exhibitors and seventy-one entries in the show. Special Thanks to Mr. Joe Rathmann of Bryan, Texas who evaluated the cattle this year. Mrs. Joelynn Rathmann of Bryan, Texas pulled double duty at the show this year providing exceptional photos and judging junior showmanship.

During this year’s banquet, we said farewell to three of our junior officers who had served the AJRBA officer team for several years. We wish Dylan Bostick, Katie Carter, and Seth Suire all the best as they pursue their future endeavors.

The American Red Brangus Foundation was established as a 501 (3)(c) foundation in 2012 to assist in funding scholarships, educational events, and assure the sustainability of our organization by cultivating the youth of the Red Brangus breed. As a breed association we are extremely fortunate to have such a program. Through the hard work and dedication of our breeders, parents, and
donors we have been able to grow the foundation each and every year. That is something we are extremely proud of! Our live and silent auction at the banquet this year yielded $8,500 for the
foundation!

The AJRBA National Junior Show would not be possible without the support and generosity of sponsors, businesses, and breeders. A special thank you to everyone who supported this year’s
national junior show. If you have ideas or would like to volunteer to assist the junior program we encourage you to submit them along with your information to the
office via email: arba@texas.net.

This year one scholarship was awarded to a graduating high school senior. This year one continuing education scholarship was also awarded. This scholarship was awarded to a junior member that is currently attending college. We realize these two young adults are the future of our breed and we look forward to watching them excel as they pursue their future.

For the past four years, the foundation has awarded scholarships to the young exhibitors placing in the top spots in the showmanship contest. The junior program currently has three divisions consisting of a junior, intermediate and senior division. This year the foundation awarded scholarships to the top three showman of each division. These scholarships will be accrued until the exhibitors graduate high school.

The American Junior Red Brangus Association has grown each year and we have been extremely fortunate to expand the fundraising efforts to help meet the needs of a growing association. As former junior members of the association we realize the life long skills that are helping mold these juniors into future advocates of our industry. We challenge all of our active members to become more involved with our junior program in some facet or another. Today’s junior members will carry on the legacy that we have left for them. It is extremely rewarding to watch our
former junior members grow into productive members of society and the agriculture industry especially. We have ranch managers, veterinarians, nurses, agriculture teachers, pharmaceutical reps, and business owners that all started out as timid livestock exhibitors. Let’s make sure we continue to prepare our junior membership with leadership skills, knowledge, and a strong foundation to continue the traditions of building successful young agricultural leaders.

On September 6, 2016   /   News