REGION REPORTS
REGION l
By Cary King
There’ s plenty happening in Region I when it comes to investing in the next generation of beef industry leaders. Across the region, young people are stepping up, learning valuable skills, and getting involved in opportunities that will carry our industry forward for years to come.
The Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’ s Association Annual Cattle Working Contest hosted 23 teams from across the state to compete. The contest gave junior cattlemen the chance to sharpen their cattle handling skills, improve communication and teamwork, and learn the importance of working cattle safely and efficiently. More than anything, it helped build confidence and prepare these young people for real-world situations. That momentum will continue this fall when Kentucky hosts the National Cattle Working Contest where state winning teams from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia will compete in Kentucky. It’ ll be a great opportunity for these cattlemen and women to network with others who share their passion for the beef industry.
Leadership opportunities also happen outside the showring and contest arena. In April, members of the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’ s Association and Ohio Junior Cattlemen’ s Association attended the Youth Beef Industry Congress in Tampa, Florida. The event gave them the chance to learn more about the beef industry, hear from leaders, and build connections with other young people.
In Indiana, through the Indiana Junior Beef Cattle Association, they are connecting junior members with cattle producers through the Beef Leaders Mentorship Program, which started in 2026 to give them hands-on experience and opportunities with those who know the industry best. This group also traveled to Washington, D. C., to meet with congressional representatives!
The future of our industry is in good hands, and these young people are proving that every day.
REGION ll
By Joe Hancock
The Alabama Young Cattlemen’ s Leadership Program( YCLP) equips emerging leaders with a deeper understanding of agriculture, public policy and advocacy. Participants gain exposure to industry issues and build a strong professional network. Many graduates serve as county leaders after the program, which supports the grassroots work of the association. For younger producers, the Alabama Junior Cattlemen’ s Association( AJCA) plays a critical role in fostering interest and involvement through youth shows, contests, and structured professional development opportunities. The Alabama Cattlemen’ s Foundation supports future producers through scholarships, educational events, and partnerships with agricultural entities. These initiatives demonstrate Alabama Cattlemen’ s Association’ s commitment to fostering the next generation into the industry and the association. The North Carolina Cattlemen’ s Association actively invests in the next generation through strong partnerships with the State 4-H Youth Livestock Program and FFA. They support hands-on learning through cattle handling contests, promote best practices with Youth Beef Quality Assurance trainings, provide leadership development through their annual Beef Leadership Program, and expand
awareness through the Beef Ambassador outreach program.
The Florida Cattlemen’ s Association has a robust leadership development program for individuals between the ages of 21- 40. This year-long program, the Florida Cattlemen’ s Leadership Academy, is funded by the Florida Cattlemen’ s Foundation. For youth, the Junior Florida Cattlemen’ s Association offers many leadership development events.
As a continuing effort to support agriculture, Mississippi Cattlemen’ s Association is investing in the current and future generation of cattle producers by working to relieve tax burdens so that future producers can operate profitably.
REGION lll
By Charlie Besher
This month, us region vice presidents were instructed to write about what our states are doing to involve the next generation in the cattle industry, and this has to be one of the most challenging reports I’ ve written because the space I am given here cannot encompass all that Region III is doing in this area. The states in Region III have long known the importance of youth involvement in their organizations, from having junior memberships and youth activities to young producer leadership programs. For those states with young producer leadership programs, the result has been numerous graduates who step into leadership roles within our organizations.
For the young folks out there, it is never too early to get involved with your state organization. There are many ways for junior members to participate at the national and state level, just reach out to your affiliate, many of whom have junior program directors who oversee those programs. Sometimes these programs include industry tours, and I have even had the opportunity to follow along on one of these tours and, needless to say, all of the participants were very engaged and showed great respect to the operations we visited. Within Region III, we know the importance of having young adults and youth included in meetings, educational events, and industry tours. They are our true sustainability story from our operations to our member organizations and, from what I have seen from most of our industry, we are going to be in good hands.
REGION lV
By Scott Sullivan
Region IV is proud to engage with young cattlemen and women of all ages and experience levels. The Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen’ s Association( OCJA) Summer Preview Show is a premier youth livestock event bringing together exhibitors for a competitive and rewarding experience. Young cattlemen and women have the opportunity to showcase their hard work, develop skills, and prepare for the upcoming summer show season. This event, June 4-6, is a great weekend of competition, learning and fellowship.
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association( TSCRA) launched its Collegiate Ambassador Program through the TSCRA Leadership Development Foundation, a year-long leadership and professional development opportunity for college-aged TSCRA members.
The program engages students in advocacy, outreach and leadership to advance TSCRA’ s mission. Ambassadors will work
16 JUNE 2026 www. NCBA. org