April 29, 2025
The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) is not slowing down and we’re getting ready to be “Live from Louisville!” The 2025 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) and Faces of Leadership conference are both setting it up to be an exciting and fun-filled summer. Leading up to these staple events, state and regional shows are prepping juniors for the largest stage in Louisville, Ky., and the next leaders of the industry will take the spotlight as they travel to Gray Summitt, Mo., as they enter the “Gateway to Leadership,” for Faces of Leadership.
The month of May and June are filled with dates and deadlines to keep top of mind this busy summer. Do not miss a single update or change, and be sure to follow along with the NJHA and Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) on their social media channels.
Make sure to check out the 2025 Spring Advantage Newsletter, for stories highlighting the upcoming events and the rules and regulations for the JNHE.
ENTER AND BE “LIVE FROM LOUISVILLE”
Entries are open for the 2025 JNHE in Louisville, Ky., July 12-18, with the early bird deadline marked for May 15 and final entry and ownership deadline of June 1. We are so excited to welcome Hereford families from across the country to join us for the event of the summer, but first we encourage you to complete the JNHE Entry Check list to ensure all of your entries are in order.
Show rules, judges, contest information and a tentative schedule are all available at the JNHE Resource page. Check in often to find all the details and information you need as you prepare for you trip.
2025 JNHE Check List:
For registrations, membership, DNA and transfers contact the Member Service Department at (816) 842-3757.
For questions regarding event registration, contact the American Hereford Association at (816) 842-3757 or email Amy Cowan acowan@hereford.org ,Director of Youth Activities and Foundation or Bailey Clanton, bclanton@hereford.org, National Shows Coordinator and Youth Activities Assistant.
For questions regarding contests, scholarships and educational programs, contact Chloé Durian, cdurian@hereford.org.
ATTENTION STEER EXHIBITORS
The 2025 VitaFerm® JNHE reminds all steer exhibitors that, all steers will be required to be parent verified to both sire and dam, therefore, a DNA profile of the steer, the sire and dam must be completed through the official AHA lab by entry deadline. DNA requests can be made through MyHerd, by emailing aha@hereford.org, or by calling into customer service at (816) 842-3757.
It’s spring and due to the abnormally high volume of hair samples being submitted, the lab is now expecting an increase in the turnaround time of hair samples being processed as well. If you are submitting a hair sample, please expect a turnaround time of 6–8 weeks instead of the normal 3–4 weeks.
Tissue, blood and semen samples are not being affected by this and are still on the normal 3–4 weeks turnaround time (unless the additional MD/DB testing is being done, then please add another week to this time
Please plan accordingly and give yourself plenty of time to get your DNA samples processed.
The JNHE wants to remind exhibitors the rules are available to view online. Please note, entries submitted prior to the Early Bird deadline of May 15 with animals not meeting the entry requirements will be put on hold and will be charged an additional $20.”
BEYOND THE SHOWRING AT THE JNHE – CONTEST. DEADLINE IS JUNE 1
Are you ready to compete at “Live from Louisville” this summer? The entries for all contests held in conjunction with the 2025 JNHE are open and the NJHA is excited to welcome all members to participate in educational contests and programs during the JNHE.
The NJHA Board is excited to announce the newest oral reasons contest for senior members that will be held in conjunction with the livestock judging contest. For the first time NJHA members will be able to hone their livestock evaluation and reasoning skills by presenting two pairs of oral reasons detailing the logic behind their class placing, This contest will be scored separately from the judging contest and takes the place of the senior marketing contest that was held in the past.
In an effort to keep contest engagement high, the NJHA Board has made some necessary improvements to the marketing and speech contests, so please check out all the changes online and be prepared as we get ready to showcase your talents in Louisville. Rules for all contests have been updated and adjusted to encourage involvement and success for our junior members.
For contest or educational program questions please contact Chloé Durian.
RUN FOR THE NJHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
For those who will be interested in applying for the NJHA Board of Directors, applications are open now. On behalf of the NJHA, the board of directors travels to various activities, meeting fellow members and sharing their thoughts and experiences of Hereford involvement. They also get first-hand experience at leadership, cooperation and organization.
The NJHA Board also makes recommendations for new programs and ideas to the American Hereford Association Board of Directors, helps train other juniors and promote the Hereford breed at various activities and events throughout the year.
Being on the NJHA board of directors is a responsibility that should be taken seriously. Before applying, please make sure to read through the Board Agreement and Code of Conduct that you sign once elected, stating you are capable of meeting those requirements. Applications will be due June 1, including the state advisor submitted Director Nomination Form.
Newly added this year are meetings scheduled prior to your campaign, giving information and details for the applicants.
*Applicants are not considered official “candidates,” until the completion of their NJHA Candidate Interview and approval by NJHA Advisors. Official campaigning cannot begin until approval has been sent by the committee.
NJHA MEET-UP — POWERED BY SURE CHAMP®
Let’s get ready to Live It, Love It, Lead It! The NJHA Meet-Up – Powered by Sure Champ®, will be taking the place of the Pen-to-Pen program during the JNHE, and we’re excited to also be bringing this event beyond the JNHE and to different events throughout the year.
What is the NJHA Meet-Up? Combining the mission of Hereford Homeroom and Pen to Pen, the NJHA Meet-Up – Powered by Sure Champ ensures that juniors have the opportunity to build connections, collaborate with others across the country and develop lifelong skills. These events are generously made possible by our friends at Sure Champ®, and industry representatives from VitaFerm® will be joining in the fun.
The event made its debut during the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Field Day, and will also be coming to the Maryland State Junior Hereford Show and the Southeast Regional Junior Hereford Show this spring, prior to it’s two-day culmination during the JNHE. The event will continue to make its rounds through the country with future plans of being held at the Western States Hereford Show in Reno and other locations. Get excited as we come together to Live It, Love It and Lead It, as a Hereford family.
DATES & DEADLINES
NJHA Meet Up – Powerd by Sure Champ®
Maryland Junior Hereford Show, Gaithersburg, Md.
May 3, 2025
Junior National Hereford Expo Earlybird Entry Deadline
May 15, 2025
Enter Today
Submittable Contests & Registrations Due on Submittable
CHB Cooking Challenge, Advanced Speech Contest, Future Professionals Contest, Illustrated Speech, Oral Reasons Contest and Photo Contest
June 1, 2025
Register Today
NJHA Board of Directors Application Deadline
June 1, 2025
Apply Today
Junior National Hereford Expo Final Entry Deadline
June 1, 2025
Enter Today
Faces of Leadership Earlybird Entry Deadline
June 15, 2025
Registration Coming Soon
NJHA Meet Up – Powerd by Sure Champ®
Southeastern Regional Hereford Show, Fletcher, N.C.
June 21, 2025
Faces of Leadership Final Entry Deadline
July 1, 2025
Registration Coming Soon
