AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION - THE BUSINESS BREED

Showdown in Madtown

Young Angus breeders and their families came together for competition and camaraderie at the National Junior Angus Show in Madison, Wis.

By Megan Silveira, Angus Journal Managing Editor

September 4, 2024

From contests like the Skill-a-thon and cattle judging to the ring, juniors brought their competitive spirit to the show. The National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) is a great place for members to not only reconnect with those in the Angus family who live all across the nation but also put their skills of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) to the test.

Young Angus breeders came from 38 states (and even two from Alberta, Canada) to compete. The NJAS drew a crowd of 583 juniors and their families to the Badger State. These NJAA competitors brought with them a total of 1,028 head of cattle.

It was a week to go down in history, but, as always, it was more than just a cattle show. The NJAS is an event where dreams are achieved, memories are made, friendships are forged. It really was a Showdown in Madtown.

Find results from the cattle show and contests here:

Show results Contest results

Sunday

Juniors were welcomed to the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Check-in for cattle began, and NJAA members kicked the week off with the first session of the Angus Mentoring Program (AMP). Participants of the carcass contest and exhibitors joined together for check-in meetings.

Monday

The weekday morning featured a royalty reception for Angus queens and princesses. National Junior Angus Board (NJAB) candidates began their bids for the green coat, mingling with their peers in the barns. It was a day of education, as the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) team offered a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training course and the American Angus Association launched BEEF Academy. Games and contests were featured in an AMP session before contests kicked off. Juniors competed in the prepared public speaking, auctioneering and cattle judging contests. A favorite of the week, juniors paraded their state pride during Opening Ceremonies. The evening concluded with a junior dance in the showring.

Tuesday

Some of the Angus family spent Tuesday fighting the rain at the golf course during the annual Angus Foundation Golf Tournament. Those back at the barns were kept busy. The trade show and silent auction officially opened, and a plethora of clinics and presentations were offered throughout the day. Juniors could join the Biozyme, FerAppease and Sullivan Supply teams to learn more about the beef industry. In between popsicles, juniors also got to enjoy the skits of the All-American CAB Cook-off contest. Before the evening’s glow run, NJAB members gave their introduction speeches and held roundtables with the voting delegates at the Annual Meeting of the NJAA.

Wednesday

Before showcasing their skills in the ring, NJAA members bowed their heads in prayer. Wednesday was dedicated to NJAA breeding prowess, as both bulls and heifers were brought to compete in the bred-and-owned (B&O) show. In between classes, NJAA members took part in the extemporaneous public speaking, Skill-a-thon, team sales and quiz bowl contest. Women of The Business Breed also enjoyed time together during the American Angus Auxiliary’s social.

Thursday

It was a busy day in the showring again. Cow-calf pairs completed the B&O show prior to the return of the Phenotype and Genotype Show (PGS). This year, bulls made their debut in the PGS competition. Buzzing in for the final round, quiz bowl teams competed. The younger generations of the Angus breed also showcased their presentation skills during the beef science poster contest. After a thrilling preliminary round of the National Junior Angus Showmanship contest, the Angus family came together for games and food at the Family Fun Night.

Friday

With no more contests to look forward to, juniors and their families put their focus on the cattle show. Steers and owned heifers kicked the day off. In between classes the Advisor of the Year and the Honorary Angus Foundation inductees were named. After a competitive final round, the top five showmen of the National Junior Angus Showmanship contest were named. Delegates cast their votes for the NJAB, and after awards and scholarships were handed out during the NJAA Awards Premier, the retiring NJAB members said goodbye. Ending the evening with a bang, the newest six green coats were welcomed by their peers.

Saturday

Juniors began to pack and tear down the barns on the last day of the NJAS. The trade show and silent auction saw their last customers as the owned show concluded. Banners and smiles were all around as those top five females were named and the best five owned head were selected.