The NJHA Fed Steer Shootout is an industry-leading opportunity for NJHA members to gain invaluable industry education and experience, giving them the opportunity to gain a broad knowledge of the cattle feeding and packing industries through a comprehensive educational contest.
For nearly a decade, the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout has provided Hereford youth with a hands-on opportunity to experience the cattle feeding and packing industries. This industry-leading educational program gives NJHA members the chance to put their knowledge to work while gaining real-world experience in cattle feeding, performance, carcass evaluation and beef production. Each year, Hereford and baldy steers are fed at HRC Feed Yards in Scott City, Kan., providing participants with an up-close look at the many factors that influence cattle performance and end-product value. The NJHA is grateful to Lee and Katie Mayo and the entire HRC team for helping make this unique educational opportunity possible year after year.
Participants can take their experience a step further by joining the HRC crew and NJHA team for the annual spring field day. The event offers a firsthand look at the cattle feeding and packing industries and provides an invaluable opportunity to learn from industry professionals, ask questions and see the entire process in action.
Prepare your cattle to enter the 2027 contest.
Searching for a way to open more opportunities for junior members led to the development of the partnership program. The notion is straightforward: willing Hereford breeders send steers to the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout, which are entered in the names of the junior partners. The breeder partners retain ownership and financial responsibility for the steers, but the junior partners monitor the steer’s monthly progress and participates in all aspects of the Shootout.
If you are a Hereford junior looking to see if any breeders are available to partner with, please fill out the interest form and contact Justin Miller, director of commercial programs, to take part in the partnership program.
New this year, the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Field Day will become “Hereford Beef 360,” bringing attendees to Dodge City, Kan., to learn in a classroom setting and a hands-on experience at the Cargill packing plant. Attendees may still view their cattle on feed in Scott City. pre-registration will be more important this year than ever, with Cargill opening their doors to a select number of attendees.
Save the date for April 16-17, 2027. Registration will be coming soon. See the tentative schedule below.
This event will require pre-registration to attend. Registration will be available in 2027.
CATTLE QUESTIONS
Justin Miller
Director of Commercial Programs
American Hereford Association
816-842-2277
jmiller@hereford.org
EDUCATIONAL QUESTIONS
Chloé Durian
Associate Director of Youth Marketing & Education
American Hereford Association
816-842-2279
cdurian@hereford.org
DATA QUESTIONS
Claire Norris
Administrative Assistant
American Hereford Association
816-218-2253
cnorris@hereford.org
Thank you to the following allied industry partners for supporting the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Contest and Program.
The final portfolio project tests junior members analysis of data reports from the feeding period what they learned from the program. This goes beyond cattle performance awards. The top three junior and senior division finalists advanced to compete in person for the prestigious NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Contestant of the Year title—in both the junior and senior divisions—during the AHA Annual Meeting in October and be recognized during the HYFA Scholarship Presentation Luncheon.
Those who are participating in the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Contest in the “Partner Program,” by partnering with a breeder, are REQUIRED to submit a Portfolio Project, to be eligible for any contest awards, including cattle performance awards.
Rules and questions for the 2026 NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Final Portfolio Project are available to begin planning. If there are any issues or questions about the Portfolio Project, please reach out to Chloé Durian, cdurian@hereford.org.
Junior members who participate in the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout program have access to a library of resources to learn about the beef cattle feeding industry and what happens to the cattle after they move on from a cow-calf operation. A final portfolio project, for those who wish to win scholarships and awards, as well as the title of junior member of the year is completed and presented at the American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting & Educational Forum.
