Spring is here and with that plans are in full swing for the 2019 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) in Denver, Colo., July 6-13.  The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Board of Directors just finished up our spring board meetings in Denver last week where we did a walkthrough of the National Western Complex and lots of planning for Herefords on the Hill. The junior board is excited to unveil our new and improved Spring Advantage Newsletter that is being mailed to all current junior members (one per household). In the NJHA newsletter you will find all you need to know about the JNHE and we hope you enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed putting it together.

“Herefords on the Hill” promises to be a fun and memorable event for all participants. The online entry site opened this week and entries have already started to roll in at  herefordjuniornational.com. Like last year, you will be able to enter for the early bird deadline on May 1st and later go back in and add an entry before June 1^st. If you forgot to sign up for showmanship, didn’t order enough show shirts and would like to buy some extra meal tickets, you may go back to your original entries and add to them. Each JNHE exhibitor who enters an animal will receive one JNHE show shirt sponsored by VitaFerm, you may order extra show shirts prior to June 1^st on the entry web site or purchase them at the JNHE, extra shirts will be $20.

Individual contest registration is available on the online site, so be sure and pay attention to contest deadlines and get entered for showmanship, judging, individual sales, pee wee speech and extemporaneous speech. The advisors will continue to handle Hereford Bowl, the Certified Hereford Beef Cook-Off, Team Fitting, Team Sales and Illustrated Speech.

In addition, to qualify for the online early bird cost savings, all cattle must be transferred and in the junior exhibitor’s name PRIOR TO May 1^st as well. If we find that cattle are not transferred or registered by May 1^st, these entries will automatically be charged an additional $20. YOU MUST HAVE A VALID REGISTRATION NUMBER AND A JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP NUMBER PRIOR TO FILLING OUT ONLINE ENTRIES, SO PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY AND GET THE REGISTRATION WORK GOING TODAY as it may be very difficult to get a registration number on May 1^st and June 1^st.

The final entry deadline and ownership deadline is June 1^st and the entry fee is $60 per entry plus a $60 per head bedding fee. NO LATE ENTRIES OR SUBSTITUTIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY REASON and NO REFUNDS will be given. NOTE: Calves at the side of cow-calf pairs may show in separate heifer or bull shows, however, additional entry fees will apply. If the calf is not showing separately an additional $60 bedding fee applies. Please note that all contest and award deadlines are strictly enforced as well.

REMINDER: there will NOT be a class for 2019 born calves in the OWNED female show.

STEER EXHIBITORS TAKE NOTE: any steer entered in the JNHE must have a DNA profile on file at the association. Please contact the AHA’s DNA department to request a kit TODAY. It takes about four weeks to get the results back from the lab AFTER the sample is acknowledged at GeneSeek. You will need your registration number of the steer on hand when you request the DNA kit and the DNA case ID number when entering. There is a $6 rebate when you use a TSU to collect the DNA sample.

Lots of fun is in store for all ages in Denver. We have made a few changes to the week’s schedule as to spread out the fun and open up more opportunities for all. If your state wishes to participate in the tailgate, please complete the entry form that is available on the JNHE resources page by June 15.

Remember that each state association is invited to get creative and put together a collection of items symbolic of your state for the State Basket Silent Auction. The silent auction will be held online and baskets will be displayed throughout the week. If table space is needed for your “basket” it must be limited to 4 ft. Please review the State Basket Guidelines and submit your informational form prior to arriving in Denver. Proceeds will be split between the NJHA and the respective state junior associations and are used for junior board travel.

For a set of contest rules, please refer to https://hereford.org/youth/

The new and improved NJHA Web site is a great place to view rules, deadlines and up to date JNHE information. Also, please follow the National Junior Hereford Association on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@jrhereford) for all the latest news.

IMPORTANT UPDATES FOR 2019:

• Barns and tie outs will open at 6 p.m., on Saturday, July 6 for set up

• Advisors and exhibitors will be allowed in the barns at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 6. Exhibitors you will need to meet with your advisor to get stall assignments prior to setting up

• Barns will be open for cattle Sunday morning, July 7

• NO Porta Cool units in the barn or tie outs. NO tents in tie outs.

• In order to provide adequate electricity in the barn for the cattle we are requesting no kitchens, microwaves, freezers, crockpots, etc. We are encouraging states to cook outside in the designated tailgate area.

• Tie outs will be in the Yards at the National Western Complex and will be pre-assigned by states. It is up to the individual states as to how the stalling is handled within each state.

• Please use this checklist to ensure that you have everything in line before submitting your entries.

2019 JNHE ENTRY CHECKLIST

• All entries must be submitted electronically at herefordjuniornational.com

• ALL STEERS MUST HAVE A DNA PROFILE ON FILE at the association prior to entry. Please contact the AHA’s customer service to request a DNA kit, you will need your member number and the animal’s registration number to receive a kit as well as the DNA case ID number to enter your steer.

• Make sure all animals have been registered and transferred. If this requires any DNA work on the dam or sire please get it started today as the turnaround time for DNA is at least 4 weeks.

• NJHA membership dues paid prior to submitting entries.

• Showmanship entered, this includes pre-peewee showmanship (no entries will be accepted after June 1^st)

• Exhibitors have signed up for judging and other individual contests along with entries.

• Awards night meal tickets ordered –submit with entries.

• Correct T-Shirt size selected and extra show t-shirts ordered.