Here come the cattle

The Clay County Fairgrounds will be hosting 230 exhibitors from 22 states at the Maine-Anjou Cattle Show beginning with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. on Sunday and running through Friday at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Competitions on Monday through Friday begin at 8 a.m. and are free to the public. (Photo submitted)

A total of 368 cattle and 230 exhibitors from 22 states plus a slew of supporters will converge on the Clay County Fairgrounds this weekend for the National Junior Maine-Anjou Show.

The show will kick off with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. Sunday and will conclude with the Maine-Anjou heifer show on Friday.

To kick off the event at the Clay County Regional Events Center, exhibitors from each state will be introduced and enjoy a "welcome to Iowa dinner." Opening ceremonies will also include a concert by country artist Neil Hewitt.

"It's basically just a beginning to the week, introductions, telling them what's going on and a fun way to get the kids together... A kickoff to the week," said Kasey Herman, American Maine-Anjou Association director of youth activities.

To be eligible for the show, individuals must have been 20-years-old or younger on Jan. 1 and the entry deadline was May 1. Competitors are divided into the junior division (12 years of age and younger), intermediate division (13 to 16 years of age) and senior division (17 to 20 years of age).

Numerous contests will take place Monday through Wednesday, with the cattle shows on Thursday and Friday.

Queen and princess interviews will begin at noon on Sunday. Two winners will be given the opportunity to represent the AMAA not only during the show, but also at other events.

Starting at 9 a.m. Monday, individuals will be able to earn points while competing in contests for general and on-site photography, poster-making, public speaking, salesmanship and showmanship.

For the salesmanship contest, exhibitors will share information about an animal of their choice and pretend to sell it to a group of judges or potential buyers.

Showmanship competitors will be judged on the appearance of themselves and their animals and their overall presentation.

"In showmanship especially there are a lot of judges that see if kids know about their animal," Herman said. "Even in the regular show, they might ask 'Is your heifer bred? When was your heifer born?'... It gives the judges an idea of whether the animal is too big or too small."

Group competitions include team grooming, cattleman's challenge, herdsmanship and the cook off, an event Herman said is a favorite. If groups consist of individuals from the same state, they will accrue points that will go toward that state's overall total.

Two juniors, one intermediate and one senior will make up cattleman's challenge teams and will test their knowledge about Maine-Anjou cattle at five different stations.

Exhibitors will be grouped together by their home state and will be evaluated on state unity, cooperation, neatness, organization of equipment and presentation of cattle while stalled.

Participants will be gaining points for themselves and their states throughout the week for the chance to win awards and certificates for themselves as well as bragging rights for their state. All awards will be presented at a ceremony at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

"It's pretty much an honor to be that involved and you're able to win it," Herman commented. "Then there's also the state sweepstakes."

As the host state, Iowa has the greatest representation with 91 animals on display and likely the best chance at winning the state sweepstakes, depending upon individual entries into the various contests.

Herman is thankful for the Iowa Maine-Anjou Association's hands-on approach to hosting the national event.

"It's really nice coming here because Iowa has done so much," she said. "They have gone above and beyond with the stuff that they've done. I don't think I can thank them enough."

She also invited the community to attend the event, which begins at 8 a.m. each day, does not have an admission charge and will include a trade show.

"It's great for the public to come and watch and see what goes on," she concluded.