July 25, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Morgan Marley, communications intern, at 816-383-5104 or mmarley.intern@angus.media
PHOTO: Available upon request via prphotos@angus.org
Stockman Award Presented at NJAS
All-new Stockman Award offered during the 2017 National Junior Angus Show.
Angus juniors stayed busy at the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) competing in a variety of contests July 9-15 in Des Moines, Iowa. The first-ever overall Stockman Award was presented at the recent NJAS. This year’s recipients were junior division, Ryan Borer, Buchanan, Va.; intermediate division, Eva Hinrichsen, Westmoreland, Kan.; and senior division, Jayne Bannister, Kent, N.Y.
To be eligible for the award, National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members had to compete in the cattle judging, quiz bowl written exam and skill-a-thon contests. The top stockmen were selected from each age category — junior, intermediate and senior.
“I knew I did well in the judging contest, then when I got second in skill-a-thon I was really hoping I’d be up there for the Stockman Award,” Hinrichsen said. “Since it’s a new contest, being the first intermediate winner is a real honor.”
Showing cattle and being involved in the NJAA is more than knowing how to present your calf in the showring. It is intended to teach youth about all aspects of cattle production. The Stockman Award aims to encourage juniors to apply the information they have learned about the entire industry.
“It’s just really neat to see all of my experiences coming together,” Bannister said. “The different classes I have taken at college, meats judging, the numerous people who have guided and taught me, as well as various other agricultural opportunities have culminated in this one award.”
Dave Nichols of Nichols Farms, Bridgewater, Iowa, sponsored the first-ever Stockman Contest. He said he wanted to award those NJAA juniors who are the future leaders of the industry.
“I think those young people who excel in academia and have a strong work ethic sometimes take a backseat to those who make the winning touchdown and play in athletic events,” Nichols said. “This award is for those juniors who have the skills that are often overlooked. It’s an honor for Nichols Farms to recognize them in this capacity.”
NJAA members are the future of the industry. It is important for them to be involved and participate in contests at the NJAS.
“I was moved beyond belief at how the young leaders appreciated that award,” Nichols said. “They will be valuable assets to our industry, and they have the skillset and motivation to succeed.”
The 2017 NJAS in Des Moines, Iowa, was a record breaker for the Angus breed. More than 1,260 head of Angus cattle were shown — the largest number since the last record was set 10 years ago.
Visit www.angus.org for complete show results and news from the event.
– Written by Morgan Marley for Angus Media
ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. The American Angus Association® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving nearly 25,000 members across the United States and Canada. It provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on the power of Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.
For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association’s programs and services, visit www.angus.org.
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