Junior Beefmaster Breeders Prepare for National Show and Convention
SAN ANTONIO  – The schedule has been set and young Beefmaster breeders are preparing for the 29th annual Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA) National Convention and Junior Show to be held in College Station, Texas, July 22-27 at the Brazos County Expo Center. The goal for this year’s event to is to teach juniors about leadership, communication, stewardship, philanthropy and education.
The Junior Nationals not only offers JBBA members a great opportunity to exhibit their cattle, but also to participate in new activities and meet new people. A schedule filled with educational and fun activities has been tailored to entertain, educate and provide a great family atmosphere. The schedule of events is coordinated by the JBBA officers, directors and the Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Junior Program committee.
Many contests are available to juniors throughout the week. Juniors can show off their artistic skills in several contests including both photography and PowerPoint contests, which do not require attendance by the junior breeder, and a coloring contest. The 2013 Junior Nationals will also include a livestock judging contest, a showmanship contest and public speaking contests for the juniors that will be attending the event. JBBA members will also participate in a philanthropic activity that will provide food for College Station homeless shelters and food banks.
If juniors are looking to challenge their knowledge of the industry, the convention and national show will feature a herdsman quiz where juniors must study several packets including the BIF guidelines, beef glossary, WHR manual and steer show study material. A showmanship clinic will be available to juniors who want to improve their exhibitor skills in and out of the show ring.
Collin Osbourn, BBU Junior and Show Program Coordinator, is encouraged by the participation of all ages and the show entries that the JBBA office has received over the past month.
“Each year the program grows and it is a great opportunity for kids to get involved in an outstanding breed. These are our future Beefmaster breeders and I am proud to be a part of one of the fastest growing junior programs in the industry,” Osbourn says.
Osbourn wants to remind the youth attending the national convention and show that it is the exhibitor’s responsibility to bring their animal(s) to the check-in area with registration papers, bred and owned papers (if applicable) and two copies of the health papers. Please also keep in mind when loading trailers that there are no outside shavings or straw allowed; shavings must be purchase from the Brazos County Expo Center for $8.00 per bag. For family and friends attending, a ticket is required for each person to attend a Junior Nationals’ meal and tickets can be purchased at the main show office.
“This will prove to be a great competition and learning opportunity for JBBA members. We ask that all junior exhibitors be familiar with the rules for the 2013 JBBA National Show. All BBU registered animals must be shown with their hair coats lying downward and flat against their entire body. Exhibitors must follow all other rules that are stated in the 2013 Junior Nationals Show packet and catalog,” he adds.
Late entry and substitutions for entries will be allowed until Thurs., July 25, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. A full schedule of events, in addition to the entry form, rules and regulations, contest rules and hotel accommodations are all available at www.beefmasters.org/juniors.
For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United and its junior program please contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org. Stay connected to BBU through Facebook, view our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and receive our news updates through joining our mailing list.