Junior

The AIJCA Junior National has been bringing Charolais youth together for more than 50 years. It all started in July 1976 in Lincoln, Nebraska, with 123 heifers from 17 states. Since then, the event has grown and evolved:

• 1977: First Bred and Owned Heifer Division and State Groups of Heifers added.
• 1987: First Junior National Steer Show and inaugural showmanship contest, focusing on exhibitor skill rather than the animal.
• 1992: Heifer and steer showmanship combined into a single division in Raleigh, North Carolina.
• 1996: Bulls made their debut in Kearney, Nebraska.
• 2004: First Composite Heifer Show, now known as the Percentage Heifer Show.
• 2025: Inaugural Phenotype and Genotype Show in Springfield, Missouri.

The Junior National has traveled from coast to coast, hosted in 18 different states, giving Charolais families nationwide a chance to participate. Beyond the cattle and competitions, the Junior National is about friendships, learning, and unforgettable experiences. Every year, new faces join, families return, and young leaders gain skills and memories that last a lifetime.

The cattle, the classes, and the contests may change, but the impact of Junior National—fun, leadership, and community—remains the same, generation after generation.