MADISON, Wis. — Four outstanding students, grades ninth through 12th, received a Junior Golden Bull Award. Each recipient was given a coveted bronze Hereford bull statue during the 2026 VitaFerm^® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony July 9 in Madison, Wis. 

The Junior Golden Bull Award recognizes high-achieving junior members who demonstrate exceptional leadership in the Hereford breed, the agricultural industry and their communities. 

The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) strives to offer its more than 4,200 members opportunities to enhance their leadership skills and advance their education through hands-on learning experiences. 

“The Prospect and Junior Golden Bull Award awards are the first step in building your Hereford resume and are key to setting the younger members up for success as they grow up through the program,” says Amy Cowan, American Hereford Association director of youth activities and foundation. “It is fun to see the younger generation starting to make a difference in their communities and state Hereford organizations. I have no doubt we will continue to see these names year after year as they grow in their NJHA careers.”

Sedona Sifford, Goldvein, Va., is the ninth-grade winner. She has been an active  member of the NJHA and the Virginia Junior Hereford Association (VJHA) for eight years. Sifford currently serves as the junior representative fundraising chairperson for the Southeast Regional Junior Hereford Show and is the VJHA vice president.

“The experiences and lessons I have gained through NJHA have prepared me not only to succeed academically but also to become a leader who can positively contribute to the future of the beef industry,” she says.

Sifford has competed in many different contests at the state and national level, as well as the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout.

W. Zeb Murphree, Hamilton, Texas, is the 10th-grade winner.  He will be a high school junior this fall. Murphree is currently serving his final year of a three-year term as a director for the Junior Hereford Association of Texas.

“My Hereford association activities have benefited me by meeting so many people from all over the United States,” Murphree says. “Also, I have gotten more knowledgeable in all industry aspects from cattle genetics to speaking more confidently in front of a group.”

After attending the Faces of Leadership conference in 2025, he credits the conference for helping him develop as a speaker and communicator — skills he knows will be helpful in the future.

Cierra Collins, Frederick, Okla., is the 11th-grade winner. She will be a senior at Frederick High School this fall. She plans to run for an Oklahoma FFA state office and attend Oklahoma State University to study pre-law with an agricultural business focus. 

“I am confident that the agricultural education I have gained through the NJHA will help me not only through high school and college, but for the rest of my life as an agriculturist,” Collins says.

Collins says she discovered her love for public speaking through NJHA activities and competitions. She plans to use those skills to continue running for leadership positions on both the state and national level.

Blake Brancel, Endeavor, Wis., is the 12th-grade winner. Her involvement in the NJHA, which goes beyond the showring, has set her up for success as an industry leader. 

“Ultimately, the reason I remain involved each year is because the NJHA represents a community of hardworking individuals who are committed to making a meaningful impact on the beef industry I am proud to be part of,” Brancel says.

Brancel’s involvement in the Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association has taught her how to step up, communicate effectively and represent the Hereford breed and agricultural industry. She plans to utilize these skills in the future as she attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall, majoring in animal and veterinary biosciences.

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The 2026 VitaFerm^®Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “The Hereford Masters in Madison,” was sponsored in part by BioZyme^® Inc., St. Joseph, Mo., and their brands VitaFerm and Sure Champ^®. The JNHE provides educational and leadership opportunities for junior members and their cattle projects, along with plenty of events for the entire family. The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) is one of the most active junior programs in the country with more than 4,200 members. For more information about the JNHE, visit Hereford.org/youth.

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