West Monroe, La., July 12-18 -- More than 100 junior Brangus breeders and their families hauled to West Monroe, La., making the 27th Annual National Junior Brangus Show (NJBS) one of the biggest and best yet. The International Junior Brangus Breeders Association (IJBBA) served as this year's host and the theme was �Boots, Bling & Brangus!� Exhibitors representing 10 states put on their bling and their shiniest pair of boots and kicked it up a notch for a week full of fun, fellowship, and good old friendly competition. For many families, the NJBS is the highlight event of the summer. For 24 junior exhibitors, this was their first time to attend the national event.
The owned show judge, Blake Bloomberg, College Station, Texas and bred and owned judge, Tom Shields, Lake Charles, Louisiana sorted through over 220 entries exhibited by juniors representing 10 states.
Abbie Jorgenson, Tyler, Texas led her junior division champion heifer into the winner's circle and took home the grand champion owned female title. Her heifer was a September �07 daughter of Brinks Tracker 392R26. Fellow Texan, Emily Jackson, Waco, Texas won reserve grand champion honors with her February 3, 2008 daughter of Suhn's Next Step 337R7 who topped the yearling division.
Texas juniors swept the cow/calf show this year. Jake Johnston, Waxahachie led his pair to top honors. She was a February �07 cow with a fancy February �09 heifer calf at side. Stephen Roop led his cow, JCC Ms Maddie 1252S2, to the reserve champion title. She is a Burtin's Transformer daughter with a late May baby heifer at side.
In the Red Brangus division, Katy Knox, Hempstead, Texas, won grand champion female honors with her yearling division winner, KK Miss Golden Nugget 65U born April 11, 2008. Audrey Acord, Madisonville, Texas showed the reserve grand champion heifer with her September �07 junior champion female, Broken A Tillie 618T3.
In this year's �Source of Champions� Showback Show, Ben Wishert, Magnolia, Texas showed the grand champion female and received a $600 check while Kara Lucherk, McCoy, Texas, took home $400 and reserve champion honors. These two females were purchased at the 2008 NJBS in the Source of Champions Show Heifer Sale.
In the bred and owned heifer show, Kody Lucherk, McCoy, Texas walked away with the top honor of calf and grand champion female with his October �08 female sired by IFCC Waylon. Luke Johnston, Waxahachie, Texas took home reserve honors with his yearling champion heifer, JCC Ms Sharee 1252U born January 1, 2008.
In tough competition, the grand and yearling champion bred and owned bull was shown by Emily Jackson, Waco, Texas. Her bull, Mr EJ Laredo, is a Garrett of Brinks son born February �08. JG Mr. Black Stealth 5114, sired by Blackhawk, is owned by Thad Gorczyca, Harrah, Okla. and filled the reserve grand champion slot.
A very special thanks is extended to all show, award, and meal sponsors whose contributions made this show possible. For more information on junior Brangus activities, please contact Samantha Leifeste, program coordinator, International Junior Brangus Bre e d e rs Association, P.O. Box 696020, San Antonio, TX 78269�6020; (254) 605-0088 or email [email protected]
The 28th annual National Junior Brangus Show will be held July 11-17, 2010 in West Monroe, Louisiana.
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