The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) has multiple upcoming deadlines and updates to be aware of. Along with that, the months of March and April are full of exciting events for junior member to get the privilege to participate in. The 2026 Sale of Champions is coming up on March 4, and will host lots with premium genetics from past Junior National Hereford Expos (JNHE). This is a sale that you don’t want to miss out on.

Additionally, make sure to apply for the Spring Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) scholarships due on April 15, and other awards that will be presented at the JNHE. Apply today.

Read further into the March NJHA News Now for all of the details.

SUPPORT THE JNHE & DEVELOP YOUR HERD

Tee off into the new year with a hole-in-one opportunity.

On March 4, the Sale of Champions takes the spotlight — offering buyers exclusive access to past Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) champion genetics and unique opportunities tied to the 2026 JNHE.

Every bid fuels the continued success of the JNHE, helping create unforgettable experiences for junior Hereford members across the country. At the same time, you’ll have the chance to invest in elite genetics rarely made available to the public — strengthening your herd and your program for the future.

Circle March 4 on your calendar and tune in on agsaleday.com. This is one sale you won’t want to watch from the sidelines.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STATE GRANT RECIPIENTS

HYFA is excited to announce the selection of 11 different state associations who will receive grant funding for education and leadership for the 2026 year. Each state will receive a $1,100 grant dedicated to supporting the juniors in their own state association at a grassroots level.

BOLDLY BUILDING FUTURE LEADERS

The NJHA is also proud to announce the 20 individual NJHA members who were selected to participate in the 2026 BOLD leadership conference. This elite leadership opportunity strives to develop leaders who will continue to make an impact at both their state, regional and national level, while setting the Hereford breed up for success in the years to come. We’re excited to be bringing this group of 20 juniors, representing 14 different states and Canada to the conference.

EDUCATION IN THE FEEDLOT

We’d like to welcome everyone to HRC Feed Yards in Scott City, Kan., April 17-18 for the 2026 NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Field Day. The field day will continue to offer an open house on Friday afternoon and evening, with time set aside for a one-on-one experience viewing your cattle on feed in the yards and plenty of time to ask questions. After the open house at the feed yard, we invite you all to join us in Scott City for a Certified Hereford Beef Burger fry and the chance to interact with other junior cattle feeders and industry friends. Saturday will be packed full of industry workshops, guest speakers and hands on learning about the cattle feeding industry.

The NJHA is excited to continue hosting the NJHA Meet Up, Powered by Sure Champ, during the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Field Day. The NJHA Board of Directors and our friends at Sure Champ will be hosting a Meet Up for all the junior members in attendance. This will be a chance for all ages to build your networks as we Live It, Love It and Lead It at the NJHA Meet Up.

The RSVP for the event is available now, and we ask that you please RSVP by April 1 to ensure proper head counts for meals.

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD OPPORTUNITIES

Don’t miss your opportunity to expand your educational opportunities through the HYFA spring scholarship program. Spring scholarship applications are due April 15 and will be awarded at the Junior National Hereford Expo, this year held July 4-10, 2026, in Madison, Wis. Applications for awards such as the Junior Golden Bull Award and Prospect Award are also available on Submittable.

Again this year the Livestock Marketeers Scholarship is hosted through HYFA and will be awarded to a college-age student interested in pursuing a career in the livestock marketing industry. Applicants must be affiliated with a beef breed or cattle organization.

New this year, is the application for the National Hereford Women (NHW) Faces of Leadership Scholarship. The NHW will sponsor the conference fee of 10 NJHA members to access life-changing leadership opportunities they might otherwise miss. This investment in tomorrow’s leaders will empower NJHA members to bring back friends, skills and inspiration to their associations, schools and communities.

ON PAR FOR THE 2026 HEREFORD MASTERS IN MADISON

We’re excited to welcome everyone to the 2026 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo, “The Masters in Madison,” happening July 4–10. Our favorite event of the summer is getting a golf-inspired twist as we come together as one Hereford family to celebrate the very best of the breed.

A tentative schedule is now available on the JNHE Resources page, along with the 2026 Rules & Regulations. All contest and award rules have been updated and are ready for review. Now’s the perfect time to start preparing your state and building excitement as we count down to July. Also do not forget to book your hotel room for the JNHE before it is to late using the group code.

DATES & DEADLINES

2026 Sale of Champions 
March 4, 2026
Learn More

BOLD Conference 
March 26-29, 2026
Learn More

NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Field Day RSVP Deadline 
April 1, 2026
RSVP Today

HYFA Spring Scholarship Application Deadline
April 15, 2026
Apply Today

Junior Golden Bull & Prospect Award Application Deadline
April 15, 2026
Apply Today

Livestock Marketeers Scholarship Application Deadline
April 15, 2026
Apply Today

NHW Faces of Leadership Scholarship Application Deadline
April 15, 2026
Apply Today

NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Field Day
April 17-18, 2026
Learn More