There is a special sense of camaraderie found at the National Junior Angus Show each year that’s hard to describe. This episode’s guests cover finding a supportive community within the Angus breed, the challenges of traveling long distances to attend the show, and the fun and learning experiences along the way. Cailee Flood, of California, and Tripp Gibson, from New Mexico, agree that stepping out of their comfort zones has paid off in a big way.

HOSTS: Miranda Reiman, Mark McCully and Kyli Kraft

GUESTS: Tripp Gibson and Cailee Flood

Roy “Tripp” Gibson, is the son of Roy and Vera Gibson and a fifth-generation rancher from New Mexico. He attended his first National Junior Angus Show in 2020 at age 9 and was instantly hooked. This fall, Tripp will begin his freshman year at St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque, where he is also a member of the golf team.

Cailee Flood, from Oakdale, Calif., is a fifth-generation cattle rancher. With years of experience in 4-H, FFA and leadership roles in the Angus industry, she is pursuing a future in agricultural business and pre-law at Kansas State University.

CO-HOST: Kyli Kraft is a fifth-generation cattlewoman from the mile-high state of Colorado. She’s been active with the Colorado Junior Angus Association and the National Junior Angus Association. A recent graduate of West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, Kyli now works for the Farm Credit Association in Amarillo.

SPONSOR: Ready to see how Vermeer can help you get more done in a day? Visit Vermeer.com/angus to learn more and find your local dealer.

Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

International experience has a way of changing people, and several young Angus producers recently got the chance to learn that firsthand. While at the National Junior Angus Show in Tulsa, Okla., Sam Jordan spoke about his time at the Royal Highland Show in Scotland, and Tucker Stagemeyer and Jonwyn Ayres recapped their World Angus Forum experience from Australia. They talked about adapting to different formats and country-specific styles while highlighting the global friendships they’ve kept up since returning home.

HOSTS: Miranda Reiman, Mark McCully and Jonwyn Ayres

GUESTS: Sam Jordan and Tucker Stagemeyer

Sam Jordan, Savannah, Mo., is a recent high school graduate and plans to attend Redlands Community College and judge there in the fall. His 4-H livestock judging team earned third at the national contest to earn a spot to compete at the Royal Highland Show in Scotland in June.

Tucker Stagemeyer, Page, Neb., finished his two-year degree at Butler Community College where he competed in livestock judging, helping to earn 2024-2025 Team of the Year honors for the school. He grew up on a diversified farming operation with registered and commercial cows, a stocker enterprise and irrigated corn and soybeans.

CO-HOST: Jonwyn Ayres, a third-generation Oregon Angus breeder, attends Oklahoma State University and competes on their livestock judging team. She is working toward an undergraduate degree in animal science with a pre-law emphasis and plans to raise Angus cattle with her family while specializing in water and environmental law.

SPONSOR: Ready to see how Vermeer can help you get more done in a day? Visit Vermeer.com/angus to learn more and find your local dealer.

RELATED CONTENT: International Success

Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

Starting a small business is no small feat, but doing so while also juggling schoolwork and cattle work? That's a challenge that these podcast guests have proven they’re ready to tackle. Corbin Russell, Paxico, Kan., and Kasey Meyer, Blue Hill, Neb., both grew up in the National Junior Angus Association, so they had a feel for managing chores and schedules, but they also have another thing in common: entrepreneurship. Corbin talks about starting his leather work business, while Kasey gives insights from her custom tagging and show heifer ventures. Their advice for others ranges from “try new things” to the importance of building relationships.

HOSTS: Miranda Reiman, Mark McCully and Suter Clark

GUESTS: Corbin Russell and Kasey Meyer

Corbin Russell, Paxico, Kan., is the son of Stephen and Dixie Russell, and he will begin his junior year of high school this fall. Corbin started doing leather work at age 7 for a 4-H project and currently takes custom orders through his business CK Leather.

Kasey Meyer of Blue Hill, Neb., is the daughter of Brandon and Kami Meyer. She’s been involved in the National Junior Angus Association since 2015 and recently finished her associate’s degree in agricultural sciences from Central Community College. She has recently started own custom tag engraving business KLM Engraving and has developed a show heifer enterprise.

CO-HOST:

Suter Clark, son of Gretchen and Timothy Clark, comes from Virginia. He's been involved in the National Junior Angus Association and the Virginia Junior Angus Association since 2014 and is pursuing a degree in animal science with a minor in construction management at Oklahoma State University. Upon graduation, he hopes to return home and help his family with their show cattle operation as well as the family business.

SPONSOR: Ready to see how Vermeer can help you get more done in a day? Visit Vermeer.com/angus to learn more and find your local dealer.

Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.