About nJAA
We’re your people—the kind who love Angus cattle, are enthusiastic about the future of the beef industry, and want to make a difference. Started in 1956, by the American Angus Association®, our purpose is to encourage growth of young people through their Angus projects and educational programs. We’re over 4,000 strong and would love to have you join us.
Your Junior Association
There are active junior members from all parts of the United States and Canada. You can get involved on a local level too, with many of the state, regional, and local junior Angus associations. These groups, with the assistance of the American Angus Association, meet regularly, sponsor shows and field days, and take an active part in the Angus business and promotion of the breed.
our policies
NJAA Code of Conduct
The NJAA Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines for junior members that defines the expectations for junior actions and specifies consequences that could be enforced if the code is violated. Each NJAA member, along with a parental guardian(s), will need to read, sign and submit the NJAA Code of Conduct prior to participation in the individual’s first NJAA-sponsored show or conference of the year.
Download and complete the formNJAA By-Laws
Our by-laws outline the principles and rules in which the National Junior Angus Association abide by. In this document, you'll find requirements for membership, association meeting structure, board of director policies, and other important information for junior membership. By joining the NJAA, each member agrees to abide by our by-laws.
Review the bylawsNJAA Core Values
These guidelines are the principles and priorities written by the National Junior Angus Association Board of Directors for the members of the NJAA. Our goal is to create strong positive values and behavior during our time as a junior member. Members should conduct themselves at all times in a way that benefits their surroundings, our organization and our industry.
Read our core valuesLEADERSHIP & INVOLVEMENT
NJAA Board
The National Junior Angus Association Board of Directors offers leadership development beyond the boundaries of local or state groups. Six new directors are elected to the twelve-member board each year at the annual meeting held in conjunction with the National Junior Angus Show.
Learn moreState/Regional Associations
Junior Angus Associations are organized across the United States for junior Angus members to get involved in their area. Search by your home state to find an organized junior Angus association near you.
Find my state/regionFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The NJAA is the organizational name for junior members of the American Angus Association (Association). It is made up of all of the junior members of the Association. The NJAA is governed by a twelve member board which is elected each year during the annual meeting of the NJAA which is held during the National Junior Angus Show. In order to be a member of the NJAA you must be junior member of the Association and if you are a junior member of the Association you are a member of the NJAA.
The annual membership fee to be a junior member of the Association is $20. The payment of this fee allows the junior member to participate in activities and events sponsored by the Association, the NJAA and the Angus Foundation.
NOTE: Additional entry fees, registration fees, and/or supplemental costs may apply depending upon the event or activity.
The age requirements for shows vary both on the younger age limit as well as the older age limit. It is important to check the rules for age of the exhibitor for the specific show in which you are interested in participating.
NOTE: For shows sponsored and coordinated by the American Angus Association the junior must be a minimum of 8 years of age before January 1 of the calendar year of the show. The junior members' last year of eligibility is the calendar year of their 21st birthday.
A bred-and-owned animal is one where the junior member owned the dam of the heifer/bull at the time the heifer/bull was conceived. The junior member must be listed as the breeder, first and continuous owner on the registration certificate.
No. The rules of the American Angus Association do not allow joint ownership of an animal if it is to be shown in junior shows.
NOTE: Some 4-H and FFA shows do allow joint ownership - however most do not.
Exception: Bred-and-owned animals may be multi-owned as long as the junior member is the breeder, first and continuous owner of the animal being shown. This applies only to shows sponsored and managed by the American Angus Association. Shows such as the North American International Livestock Exposition, the American Royal, the National Western, Southwest Livestock Exposition (Fort Worth), etc. do not allow multi-ownership of any animals being shown in their junior shows.
Junior memberships are available for any young person from birth through their 21st birthday. Memberships are limited to juniors who live in the United States and/or Canada.
Members must pay annual membership dues in order to stay current and to participate in the programs offered. The membership renewal date is based on the day they joined the association.
In the calendar year of the juniors 21st birthday the junior may participate in junior programs offered by the Association, NJAA and the Angus Foundation through the entire calendar year, even though "officially" their membership expired on their 21st birthday.
The categories offered in junior Angus shows are:
- Owned Heifers—These are heifers which are purchased whether from a family member or any other Angus breeder.
- Bred-and-Owned Heifers—These are heifers that the junior member owned the dam of the heifer at the time the heifer was conceived. The junior member must be listed as the breeder, first and continuous owner on the registration certificate.
- Bred-and-Owned Bulls—These are bulls that the junior member owned the dam of the bull at the time the bull was conceived. The junior member must be listed as the breeder, first and continuous owner on the registration certificate.
- Steers—These are registered steers that are owned by the junior member.
- Cow/Calf Pair—These are cow/calf pairs where the calf is bred-and-owned by the junior member and the issue date of the transfer of the cow into the junior member's membership is prior to the conception date for the calf.
The National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) offers a world of opportunities to youth. Members of the NJAA are eligible for:
- Registering cattle with the Association
- Receiving two issues of the Angus Journal annually (one per household)
- Participation in junior activities including conferences, shows and other contests
- Receiving two issues of the NJAA newsletter Directions (one per household)
- Showmanship competitions
- Leadership training (officers and directors)
- National Junior Recognition Program
- Scholarship opportunities
- Information on fitting, tattooing, judging, advertising and promotion
Angus Impact is the official National Junior Angus Association community service program. The goal is to encourage NJAA members and State Association's to make their mark, leave their impact and be the change through acts of service. Each year the NJAA will pick a theme to focus on and find locations that benefit that theme, at certain NJAA events.
Throughout the year NJAA will provide opportunities for members to participate in acts of service at the following events: Raising the Bar, National Junior Angus Show and LEAD conference. More information will be provided to those attending the specific events.
Tools and Resources
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Angus University
Visit Angus University to review information about programs and resources offered by the National Junior Angus Association and American Angus Association.
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Misconduct and Procedure Form
We take every NJAA member's safety seriously. If you feel your child has been mistreated during a NJAA event, please fill out this form and immediately follow the attached procedures to contact the Association.
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NJAA Record Book (PDF Format)
This record book is designed to help you compile records of your Angus activities in one handy, easy-to-use format. It will provide a place for recording information needed when applying for the National Junior Recognition Program's Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, and the American Angus Auxiliary, Angus Foundation and CAB/NJAA scholarships, etc. There is space for personal observation and notes.
- NJAA Record Book (Word Format)
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Read the recent issue of NJAA Directions Newsletter
The NJAA’s newsletter “Directions” is released every Spring and Fall. The newsletter is produced by the NJAA Board of Directors, and sent to all junior members.