The Hereford Herd Builder Initiative is designed to create meaningful opportunities for aspiring young Hereford cattlemen and women to access elite Hereford genetics as they begin building their own breeding programs. By connecting industry-leading genetics with motivated Hereford youth, the program aims to cultivate future breeders, strengthen the breed and ensure long-term growth within the Hereford community. This pilot program will award National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) or young American Hereford Association (AHA) members one pregnant recipient female carrying elite Hereford genetics and two embryos of the same mating. These genetics will be sourced from top donor females and matings made possible by industry-leading breeders and partners. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Applicant must be 18-25 years of age at the time of the deadline.
2. Applicant must be a NJHA or AHA member in good standing.
3. Applicant must outline that they have access to resources and facilities to maintain this female. 
4. Applicant may only be selected to receive this award package once. 
5. Applicant must demonstrate a strong interest in developing a Hereford breeding program. 
6. Up to five pregnant recips and embryo packages will be awarded in this first pilot program year.

PROCESS:

1. Submit online application by the deadline of October 1, 2026.
2. Application consists of a written portion, statement of goals, herd plan and a potentional zoom or in person interview, depending on number of applications and selection committee. 
3. Applicant must submit a 300 dpi color photo to use for press purposes.
4. After applications are received and reviewed, the top applicants will be notified of the next steps in the selection process and if the selection committee deems interviews necessary.
5. Winners will be notified following the application deadline. Recipients will be awarded Oct. 23, during the HYFA Scholarship Awards Luncheon in Kansas City, Mo., part of the AHA Annual Meeting. It is recommended that you be in attendance to accept your award, but it is not a requirement.
6. Delivery of pregnant recips and embryos will be coordinated in November, 2026 with recips to begin calving in February.

Award presentations will take place at the AHA Annual Membership meeting in Kansas City. Applicants are encouraged, but not required to be present to accept scholarships. 

FALL HYFA SCHOLARSHIPS INCLUDE: 

• Ten $10,000 Vanier Family Scholarships
• Two $5,000 EE Ranch Scholarships
• One $5,000 Perks Ranch Scholarship
• One $5,000 CBY Polled Herefords, Bob & Dolores Call Scholarship
• One $5,000 Ball Foundation/Cottonwood Springs Farm Scholarship
• One $5,000 Bar One Ranch, In Memory of Ken Tracy Scholarship
• One $2,500 Whitehead Ranches Scholarship
• One $2,500 Fauquier Farms, Bob & Lucy Kube Scholarship
• One $2,500 Randy & Kelly Owen Scholarship
• One $2,500 Blin Family Scholarship
• One $2,500 Gary Bishop Memorial Scholarship
• One $2,500 Larson Polled Herefords Scholarship

The following are scholarships that have unique requirements and/or are designed for specific applicants. Those requirements are noted on the Fall Scholarship Application, and you must select if you would qualify and would like to be considered for those scholarships.

• Two $1,500 Ostgaard-Breiner Educational Scholarships - For students non-traditional students wanting to go into a technical field, graduate school, trade school, certification or other acceptable program.         
• One $2,500 Merry Family/MGM Memorial Scholarship - For students pursuing Veterinary Medicine Degree - Pre Vet or Vet School Students are eligible to apply. 

REQUIREMENTS

1. Applicant must be a NJHA member in good standing and not over the age of 22.
2. If pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine, technical education, are over the age of 22, etc., and are applying for non-traditional scholarships, applicant must be a member of the American Hereford Association.
3. Applicant must be a paid member for the past three consecutive years.
4. All scholarship applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student in a four-year accredited university, junior/ community college and/or a technical institution.
5. Students who are seeking post graduation degrees, such as vet school, law school, etc., are eligible to apply for fall HYFA Scholarships, as long as they meet the other requirements of scholarship.
6. All applicants must have maintained at least a “C” or 2 .5 grade point average. A current academic transcript must accompany the application.
7. Applicants meeting the necessary requirements can apply any number of times provided they maintain the required academic standards. A new application must be submitted each year.

Junior members who participate in the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout program have access to a library of resources to learn about the beef cattle feeding industry and what happens to the cattle after they move on from a cow-calf operation. A final portfolio project, for those who wish to win scholarships and awards, as well as the title of junior member of the year is completed and finalists will be invited to the AHA Annual Meeting & Educational Forum to compete in person on Fri., Oct. 23 at 7:30 a.m., and be recognized on Fri., Oct. 23 during the Hereford Youth Foundation of America Scholarship and Awards Luncheon.

Juniors can compete in the following age divisions:

• Junior Age Division: 7-13 as of Jan. 1
• Senior Age Division: 14-21 as of Jan. 1  

GENERAL RULES

1. Contestants must be a member of the NJHA, participant in the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Program and have submitted a current BQA certification.
2. Winners from previous years are allowed to continue competing within their age division each year until they age into the next division.
3. The contest will begin with the written submission of answers to questions in an educational portfolio due Sept. 15, 2026.
4. Judges will review and score the submitted portfolios, and the top three in each age division will be invited to the AHA Annual Meeting & Educational Forum to compete in person on Fri., Oct. 23 at 7:30 a.m., and be recognized on Fri., Oct. 23 during the Hereford Youth Foundation of America Scholarship and Awards Luncheon.

MORE INFORMATION

View the rules for the 2026 NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Final Portfolio Project - RULES

DUE SEPT. 15