Sioux Falls Site of Gelbvieh Junior National Show

Gelbvieh junior members and their families, from across the country, will gather in Sioux Falls, S.D., the first week in July for the 2014 American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) Junior Classic. Named by the host state, the 2014 AGJA Barnyard Classic will begin on Sunday, June 29 and will conclude on Friday, July 4. The show will be held at the WH Lyon Fairgrounds and is hosted by the South Dakota Gelbvieh Junior Association.

“The annual AGJA Junior Classic challenges youth to build skills to become future leaders in the beef industry. Throughout the week, Gelbvieh juniors compete in more than 20 different leadership and educational contests. The educational contests offer youth the ability to gain life-long skills and increase their knowledge of beef production,” said Carrie Tilghman, American Gelbvieh Association junior activities coordinator.

The Junior Classic is open to members of the AGJA ages eight to 21. The AGJA anticipates, based on preliminary entries for the Barnyard Classic, there will be approximately 240 Gelbvieh and Balancer® females, bulls and steers exhibited by 135 youth.   

During the first half of the week, members will participate and compete in educational activities and contests.

“The educational contests offer youth the ability to gain life-long skills and increase their knowledge of beef production. Prizes are awarded to the top individuals in each of the contests. As well, juniors compete for points to be named the top all-around winner,” added Tilghman.

The week concludes with the showmanship contest and the cattle shows. On Thursday, July 3, starting at 8:00 a.m., Brad Gohr of Madras, Ore., will evaluate the showmanship contest, followed by the AGJA national Balancer female show.   

On Friday, July 4, again starting at 8:00 a.m., Lydell Meier of Clinton, Tenn., will judge the remainder of the cattle shows including steers, bred and owned Balancer bulls, bred and owned Gelbvieh bulls and the national Gelbvieh female show. 

“The South Dakota Gelbvieh juniors have been working hard to put on a memorable Junior Classic. We have a fun-filled week planed for junior Gelbvieh members and their families,” said Anna Duxbury, Wessington, S.D., president of the South Dakota Gelbvieh Junior Association. “The Junior Classic helps promote youth to become future leaders not only within the Gelbvieh breed but within the beef industry as a whole."

he American Gelbvieh Junior Association serves more than 500 members nationally. The vision of the AGJA is to unify, educate, and develop leaders of the beef industry. To learn more about Gelbvieh or the American Gelbvieh Junior Association visit www.www.gelbvieh.org.

The following is a complete schedule for the 2014 AGJA Barnyard Classic. Unless otherwise stated, all activities will take place at the WH Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Sunday, June 29
8:00 a.m. – Cattle allowed in barns
1:00 p.m. – Come and go check-in 4:00 p.m.; Mentor/protégé orientation
4:30 p.m. – AGJA skill-a-thon contest orientation and educational session
6:00 p.m. – Dinner
7:00 p.m. – Opening ceremonies
8:30 p.m. – Board candidate orientation
9:00 p.m. – AGJA dance – hotel

Monday, June 30
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast, sponsored
8:00 a.m. – Sales talk contest
Noon – Lunch, sponsored
1:00 p.m. – Skillathon contest
3:00 p.m. – Start impromptu contest preparation
3:30 p.m. – Impromptu contest
4:15 p.m. – Ambassador interviews
5:00 p.m. – Steer weigh-in
6:00 p.m. – Dinner, sponsored; Board candidate interviews

Tuesday, July 1
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast, sponsored
8:00 a.m. – Sullivan’s Stock Show University pick your curriculum clinic & leg workshop
9:30 a.m. – Team fitting set up
10:00 a.m. – Sullivan Supply/ Stock Show University team fitting contest
12:30 p.m. – Lunch, sponsored
2:00 p.m. – Quiz bowl preliminary rounds
6:00 p.m. – Dinner, sponsored, immediately followed by quiz bowl finals

Wednesday, July 2
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast, sponsored
7:30 a.m. – Judging contest registration
8:00 a.m. – Judging contest
9:00 a.m. – Scott Gemar Memorial golf outing
Noon – Lunch, sponsored
1:00 p.m. – Fun Day at Wild Water West – bus transportation provided
5:30 p.m. – AGJA annual meeting and board election
Dinner on your own

Thursday, July 3
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast, sponsored
8:00 a.m. – Sullivan Supply/ Stock Show University AGJA national showmanship contest, followed by the AGJA national Balancer® female show
Noon – Grab & go lunch, sponsored
7:00 p.m. – AGJA awards banquet

Friday, July 4
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast, sponsored
8:00 a.m. – AGJA national steer show, AGJA national Balancer bred & owned bull show, AGJA national bred & owned Gelbvieh bull show, followed by AGJA national Gelbvieh female show
Noon – Grab & go lunch, sponsored
6:00 p.m. – Dinner, sponsored, activities and fireworks