Beef Magazine

Contact: Chris Stephens, cstephens@hereford.org or (816) 842-3757

July 24, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members and their families made the 2008 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), July 12-19 in Kansas City, the largest Hereford show in the world. More than 2,000 attendees celebrated “Herefords — the Heart of America” at the American Royal complex. Six hundred NJHA members, ranging in ages from 7 to 22, representing 40 states and Canada, exhibited 1,100 head of cattle, making the event one of the largest junior breed shows in the nation.

The Arkansas, Illinois and Missouri Hereford and Junior Hereford Associations, teamed with the American Hereford Association (AHA), to host the ninth JNHE. The week long event had something for everyone, from 3-on-3 basketball competition to a Great American Hereford Grill-off. “Participants not only show cattle, they compete in educational contests, interview for college scholarships, run for leadership positions and network at social activities,” says Chris Stephens, American Hereford Association director of youth activities. “More than $25,000 in scholarships was awarded during the event. This will help prepare NJHA members to be leaders in the beef industry and their respective communities.” Next year’s JNHE will be in Tulsa, Okla., July 4-11, 2009.

The 2008 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo was sponsored in part by BioZyme Inc., St. Joseph, Mo.; Fort Dodge Animal Health, Overland Park, Kan.; and UMB Bank and the RC Kemper Charitable Trust, Kansas City, Mo.

The NJHA is one of the most active junior programs in the country with approximately 3,000 members. The NJHA’s mission is to create and promote enthusiasm for the breed while

providing opportunities through leadership, education and teamwork. For more information about the NJHA, visit www.jrhereford.org.

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For JNHE pictures and additional news releases, visit www.herefordphotoshop.com/media. Enter “Junior08” when prompted for a password.