The national junior show — where do I begin! This year marked my second national junior show as an employee of the American Maine-Anjou Association (AMAA). I have been fortunate to meet many junior Maine-Anjou members during my time at the association.
  The spark and drive in these junior members is unmatched. They are up before the sun feeding, watering, rinsing and blowing then continuing on to the contests scheduled for the day. They head back to check their stalls and make sure everything is running smoothly. The day is ended the same as it begins, feeding, watering, rinsing and tie outs, only to start the next day the exact same way. There is never a moment of rest, but it is in good fun.
  The junior national show is indeed a lot of work, but it’s fun work. Ask any junior member who works their tail off all week if it is worth it. I guarantee every answer would be yes. Smiles are not hard to find around the grounds during the week of junior nationals. It is a week of learning and meeting new friends; it is a week of water fights and showing; it is a week of joy and family vacation; it is an all around wonderful week.
  If you are one who didn’t get involved in the contests during the national show, I strongly encourage you to get involved next year. These contests offer competitors a great opportunity to meet new friends, to learn about the breed and good clean competition. Strive for the overall sweepstakes award; it is a dignified accomplishment and one of the highest honors you can receive at the national junior show. You may be surprised how fast your points add up the more contests you are in, regardless if you place or not. Give your state a shot at the overall state sweepstakes by getting involved.
  This year’s contests were packed with power. Young members showed off their cattle skills in all contests, and may I add their skills are second to none. The shows ended the week with a bang. Top of the line Maine-Anjou females, steers and bulls vied for national honors. Some of the best genetics in the breed were present, making the show as competitive as any other around the country. If you were a spectator, you saw first hand the cattle speak for themselves.
  Maine-Anjou cattle have it all. They are a breed excelling in performance, feed efficiency, disposition and carcass traits. Junior Maine-Anjou members take pride in exhibiting Maine-Anjou cattle and without a doubt will bring the breed to new heights. After all, this is what it is all about — the juniors. The future of the breed lies within its juniors members. The Maine-Anjou breed has a bright future ahead.
  Thanks to all junior members who made my week in Springfield a memorable one. I thoroughly enjoy your company. Next year, be prepared for a week of “Texas Hold Em” in Wichita Falls, as Texas hosts the 2006 National Junior Maine-Anjou Show.
  I recently visited Texas for their
state Maine-Anjou show and I am impressed with the dedication of the Texas Maine-Anjou members, both junior and adult. Next year’s national junior show is going to be great! The Texas members are an excellent group of people and I look forward to working with them in the future.
  I hope everyone is happy with the new schedule of the Voice. We have moved up the September issue to an August/September issue. This allows faster national junior show coverage and also allows more of you holding fall sales to advertise.