2026 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS)

Over 1,000 Angus juniors and their families traveled to Louisville, Ky., to compete in the 2026 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) July 11-July 18 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members stepped up to the plate for “Bases Loaded in the Bluegrass,” exhibiting 987 entries during the weeklong event that included more than a dozen educational contests along with the cattle show.

Fourth Overall Bred-and-owned Champion Female

Ferree Fitz Phyllis 2515 won fourth overall bred-and-owned champion female at the 2026 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 11-18 in Louisville, Ky. Houston Ferree, Sullivan, Ind., owns the January 2025 daughter of SCC SCH 24 Karat 838. She first won junior champion--division 2. Jack Ward, Plattsburg, Mo., judged the owned heifers; Carter Ward, Plattsburg, Mo., assisited with the owned heifers; Donnie Robertson, Yukon, Okla., judged the bred-and-owned bulls and heifers and owned and bred-and-owned cow-calf pairs; Barry Nowatzke, Michigan City, Ind., assisited with the bred-and-owned bulls and heifers and owned and bred-and-owned cow-calf pairs; Kirk Stierwalt, Leedy, Okla., judged the steers; and Cody Sankey, Economy, Ind., judged the phenotype and genotype bulls and females. A total of 987 entries were shown. Photos by Next Level Images.

Grand Champion Bred-and-owned Cow-calf Pair

Ferree Fitz Saras Dream 2423 won grand champion bred-and-owned cow-calf pair at the 2026 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 11-18 in Louisville, Ky. Houston Ferree, Sullivan, Ind., owns the February 2024 daughter of PVF Blacklist 7077. An April 2026 bull calf sired by STAG Good Times 201 ET is at side. Jack Ward, Plattsburg, Mo., judged the owned heifers; Carter Ward, Plattsburg, Mo., assisited with the owned heifers; Donnie Robertson, Yukon, Okla., judged the bred-and-owned bulls and heifers and owned and bred-and-owned cow-calf pairs; Barry Nowatzke, Michigan City, Ind., assisited with the bred-and-owned bulls and heifers and owned and bred-and-owned cow-calf pairs; Kirk Stierwalt, Leedy, Okla., judged the steers; and Cody Sankey, Economy, Ind., judged the phenotype and genotype bulls and females. A total of 987 entries were shown. Photos by Next Level Images.