KANSAS CITY, Mo. — More than 100 National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members and their families, along with American Hereford Association (AHA) members, industry leaders and guests gathered in Scott City, Kan., April 18, for the annual NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Field Day. This marks the sixth year the Associations hosted the event, which is held at the Scott County Fairgrounds and HRC Feed Yards LLC. HRC currently feeds steers for 82 NJHA members from 20 states as part of the 10th annual NJHA Fed Steer Shootout and serves as the home of the AHA Hereford Feedout Program.
“The consistent increase in NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Field Day attendance year after year speaks for its value to the beef industry and Hereford breed,” said Amy Cowan, AHA director of youth activities and foundation. “We’re thankful for the industry partners, along with the staff at HRC, who make this event possible. The field day is a foundational piece of the learning opportunities we provide to junior members.”
Field day attendees traveled from as far away from Montana and North Carolina for a day of hands-on learning and networking, and to see how their steers are feeding.
Inside the industry
This year’s NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Field Day started the day of learning with a welcome from Lee Mayo, HRC Feed Yards general manager.
“There’s going to be an awful lot of opportunity in this beef business in the next 10 years for people to step up and take over,” Mayo said. “And I think we’re creating some of those future leaders and participants right here in this room, and I really believe that. There’s not a program like this one anywhere — with any other breed or anywhere else.”
The day focused on cattle feeding, with discussions regarding food safety and retail-specific variety meats from Cargill, a question-and-answer session with Justin Miller, AHA director of commercial programs. Merck Animal health provided a hands-on presentation about the economic benefits of implanting feeder cattle and Kevin Good, CattleFax vice-president of industry relations, offered a market outlook.
“You’re not just in the cow-calf business. You’re not just in the feedyard business. You should have the mindset of being in the meat business. Your product is the end-product,” Miller said. “Even though you sell bulls to customers, even though you have cattle on feed, your customer is the consumer at the grocery store meat counter.”
A cattle feeder and buyer simulation from Cargill’s Jarrod Gillig, senior vice president of North American beef business, provided participants with a real-world look at how feeder cattle are bought and sold every day. Attendees visited HRC to view their steers, and Shane Bedwell, AHA director of breed improvement and chief operations officer, concluded the day with a live cattle evaluation and grading lesson.
Partners make it possible
For the second year in a row, the NJHA Meet-Up — Powered by Sure Champ® was a lunchtime highlight. With continued support from industry partners like VitaFerm®, juniors can connect, learn and grow alongside industry leaders.
Shane Schaake, BioZyme® Inc. field representative, was on hand to share practical insights and real-world applications with all attendees, helping participants better understand how to utilize Sure Champ products effectively at home, on the road and at the show. Hosted by the NJHA board of directors, the Meet-Up provided valuable education and engagement, equipping juniors with tools to succeed both in and out of the showring.
This year, the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout received support from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK). A $15,000 grant, in honor of the late Bill House, was awarded to the Hereford Youth Foundation of America. The 2026 CFSEK Bill House Agricultural Grant honors a historic figure in the beef cattle industry and the Hereford breed. House served as the AHA president from 1963-1964 and was a highly involved in the Kansas beef industry. This grant continues to honor his life and legacy through the Hereford breed and cattle industry, supporting an interactive learning experience for NJHA members.
One of a kind
The NJHA Fed Steer Shootout is an industry-leading program. Between the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout and AHA Hereford Feedout Program, more than 800 steers are on feed. Of those steers, 236 are owned by NJHA members These steers were delivered to the feedyard in December. Participants follow their entries from delivery day to the packer, receiving performance and carcass data. It’s a firsthand look at how their cattle perform beyond the pasture or showring.
Young people can enter individual pens of three or five steers to be fed and processed. The cattle will be harvested this summer, and results will be announced at the AHA Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Mo. Entries are judged based on the cattle’s performance and profitability. Youth can also put their industry knowledge to the test, submitting portfolios to vie for contestant of the year honors.
From marketing cattle on the U.S. Premium Beef grid to learning more about their own genetics and the feeding and packing industries, the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout and accompanying field day provides invaluable opportunities to young Hereford breeders across the country.
“The NJHA Fed Steer Shootout allows NJHA members to receive a wealth of information about their cattle and the beef industry,” Miller said. “They can make breeding decisions based on the feeding and carcass data they receive, improving their own operations in addition to the quality of beef our industry provides to consumers.”
Entries are due for the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Nov. 1 of each year. To learn more, visit Hereford.org/NJHA-Fed-Steer-Shootout.
The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) is one of the most active junior programs in the country with more than 4,200 members. The NJHA’s mission is to create and promote enthusiasm for the breed while providing opportunities through leadership, education and teamwork, and emphasizing the mantra of Learn. Lead. Achieve. For more information about the NJHA, visit Hereford.org/youth.
—National Junior Hereford Association