by Cloe Tolar, ASA Intern
The American Junior Simmental Association recently held the 2025 National Classic in Madison, Wisconsin. From cattle shows to educational competitions, the event was filled with opportunities to learn, showcase skills, and collaborate.
Oh, what fun the National Classic was! Held in Madison, Wisconsin, there were nearly 500 juniors, each one merry and bright as they competed in contests and exhibited their cattle. As juniors made their way into Madison, they were greeted by a jolly team of AJSA board members, interns, and ASA staff who helped put the week’s festivities together.
Among the 820 head of cattle, Jason Hoffman alongside Colby Collins evaluated the owned show, and Curtis and Cate Doubet worked the bred and owned show. ASA EVP, Dr. Jon DeClerck, attended and helped within the show ring alongside board chairman, Victor Guerra, and youth foundation manager, Mia Bayer.
Juniors competed in Sales Talk, Public Speaking, Judging, the Cattlemen’s Quiz, the Calvin Drake Genetic Evaluation Quiz, and Photography contests. Each junior is required to compete in one speaking and one test contest, with the third required contest being their choice. Their passion for the Simmental breed and desire to grow in the vital skills needed in the cattle industry were clearly showcased in each competition.
ASA Board Chairman Victor Guerra helping with the cattle show.
Juniors competed for a number of prizes, including championship buckles.
The AJSA Board of Trustees held regional meetings along with voting to recruit new board members. Three new trustees — Josie Phillips, Conley Schick, and Audrey Redalen — were added. Aribella Beins, Walker Housley, and Emerson Tarr retired from the AJSA Board of Trustees. Hallie Hackett was elected to serve as president. All new trustees and their new president were announced during the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the show.
During the week, a DNA collection clinic was held, giving all juniors the opportunity to receive a high-density genomic test on their animals. Dr. DeClerck gave a detailed run-down of the clinic and said, “Now in its second year, the Neogen DNA Collection Clinic at the National Classic
served as both an educational experience and a valuable service for our junior members. Designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and tools for the future, the clinic focused on the critical role DNA verification plays in modern seedstock production.”
The DNA clinic started in the show ring, where DeClerck explained the importance of testing. “First and foremost, it confirms the pedigree of the animals — an essential aspect of maintaining integrity in our breed and ensuring the cattle we market are exactly what we represent them to be. This isn’t just about accuracy in marketing; it underpins the integrity of our genetic evaluations,” he shared.
This free testing also gives AJSA members the opportunity to utilize genomic testing, which is becoming an increasingly important tool for producers. “Genomically enhanced EPD significantly improve the accuracy of selection decisions. In fact, by incorporating genomic data, producers can make genetic progress up to 52% faster. And in a world where cattle producers are continually challenged to do more with less, tools like this are key to advancing traits related to growth, fertility, efficiency, and overall economic sustainability,” DeClerck shared.
During the introductory session in the ring, Molly Diefenbach, ASA’s DNA department lead, and Ryan Lauber with Neogen discussed the DNA collection process. With juniors watching from the bleachers, they walked through how to collect a Tissue Sampling Unit sample and described the process from start to finish.
Following this presentation, the ASA team split up into teams to collect DNA, talking to juniors and parents. “It was an excellent opportunity for one-on-one interaction, and it gave us the chance to reinforce not only how DNA is collected, but why it matters,” DeClerck shared.
“In all, the Neogen Clinic was a great success — informative, hands-on, and practical. It’s the kind of event that blends education and real-world utility, while helping our junior members get a step ahead in their seedstock operations,” DeClerck added. “We’re proud to partner with Neogen to offer this resource and look forward to building on its success in the years to come.”
The 2025 National Classic also included several American Simmental-Simbrah Foundation events, which are detailed on page 34. Please make plans to join us in Grand Island, Nebraska, for the 2026 AJSA National Classic. .
AJSA members competing in one of the many cattle show classes at the National Classic.
