FUZION CONTEST INFORMATION

  • Contest Date: Check in & Interviews 12:00pm Monday

    Interviews: Start at 12:00 pm at the Area Announced

    Age divisions for all shows and contests are determined by your age as of January 1 of the show year.

    All entries must be original work, created within the last year and not previously entered in a NAJRAE Event.

    Any exhibiting artist consents to the use of his/her name and the artist’s image(s) for purposes of promotion and advertisement by NAJRAE. The artist waives any claim including claim for the invasion of the right of privacy of copyright, against NAJRAE, its directors, officers, etc.

    ALL entries must be farm/ranch related and promote the Red Angus breed or beef industry in some way. A portion of the exhibitor’s points will be determined by the exhibitor’s project’s promotion of the Red Angus breed. 

    Any medium may be used: pencil, crayon, pastel, paint, fabric, metal, wood, clay, etc. It cannot contain photographs.

    All flat art (i.e. drawings, paintings) must be matted with black mat board/paper or may be framed. Canvas pieces do not need to be matted.

    Exhibitors will be responsible for providing tables/stands for any 3-dimensional entries to be displayed. NAJRAE must be notified in advance if any unconventional method of presentation or hanging is required.

    Originality is key!

    One entry per person.

    Enter arts and crafts in the following classes for each age division. 

    Class 1 - Sketch, Drawing, Painting

    Class 2 - Woodworking

    Class 3 - Welding & Metalworks

    Class 4 - Sewing, Fabrics, Cloth

    Class 5 - Pottery, Ceramics, Glass

    Class 6 - Other Crafts

    A brief interview with a judge will be conducted with each Arts & Crafts exhibitor.

    The top 5 of each class will be selected from each age division and recognized on the displays.

    The top 5 Arts & Crafts overall of each age division will not be announced until the awards banquet.

    Contest participation counts towards the sweepstakes contest. Participants must be present during the week of FUZION.

  • All entries must be submitted in PDF format by Monday, June 9th by 11:59 pm central.

    No late entries will be accepted

    Submit your entry here.
    Graphic Design Entry

    Each division will be given a marketing piece to design for the following year’s FUZION Event by NAJRAE with the location TBA

    Division Designs are as follows:Novice and Juniors: Create a tack box sticker to promote the FUZION Event by NAJRAE

    Intermediates: Design a Facebook marketing advertisement to promote the FUZION Event by NAJRAE

    Seniors: Create a logo, style, and theme for the FUZION Event by NAJRAE

    The Theme should include the FUZION logo as well as promoting Red Angus genetics and members.

    All work must be original work of the contestant, excluding the FUZION logo.

    The entry must be created using computer technology. Contestants may use any software available to design the theme.

    Entries must include the Exhibitor’s Name, Birthdate, and age division when submitting the entry.

    Scoring will be based on a 50 point scale with 10 points given for each of the following categories:
    Originality
    Message
    Attracts Attention
    Use of Space
    Design

    Judges will have the discretion to remove any entry from competition if not meeting specified contest rules.

    The top Graphic Designs of each age division will not be announced until awards banquet.

    Selection of winners does not guarantee that the winner’s theme will be used. However, all entries will be eligible for modification or use for the FUZION Event.

  • Contest Date: Monday 4:00 pm

    The quiz will consist of multiple choice, matching, and true/false questions.

    One hour will be allowed for contestants to compete in this event. Ten-minute warnings will be given after 30 minutes have passed.

    Contestants may not bring notes, books or reference materials into the testing area. All materials will be provided, including quiz questions, answer sheet, tie-breaker questions and a number two pencil.

    Conferring with other contestants, use of notes or any form of cheating will be grounds for disqualification.

    Ties will be broken according to tie-breaker questions. If a tie remains, five pre-selected unmarked questions from the test will be used to decide the final placing.

    Primary resources for the questions will be available at www.najrae.com/education.

    Individual contest participation counts towards the sweepstakes contest.

  • Contest Date: Tuesday 11:30am

    Contestants will evaluate classes of livestock and will designate their placing on provided judging cards.

    A committee designated by the NAJRAE Senior Board will provide official results that contestants will be scored against.

    Junior division will have one class of questions that they must answer about a designated class.

    Intermediate and Senior divisions will give at least one set of oral reasons on a designated class or classes. The number of reason classes will be determined at the time of the event. 

    Contestants will be placed as individuals and those scores will count toward the sweepstakes total.

    All contestants are expected to act honestly, not talk or share information and follow instructions of the show officials. Show officials can disqualify contestants if they are caught cheating in any way.

    Individual contest participation counts towards the sweepstakes contest.

  • Contest Date: Due at check-in on Monday

    Photos are to be submitted at check in on Monday.

    All photos are to be a color 8” x 10”, mounted on an 11” x 14” black or white foam core.

    Exhibitors are to place a sticker on the back of the foam core with their name, state, and age division.

    All work must be that of the entrant and must somehow include Red Angus in the photo.

    Photo cannot be altered, or image enhanced in any way. Photos must be in COLOR with no altering, filters, or enhancements. Contestants are encouraged to use 35 - millimeter (mm) cameras.

    Pictures are judged on the quality of the photograph taken, subject matter and image as presented. Remember “Less is More”.

    Photos must be taken by the contestant during the past year. Photos cannot have been presented at previous NAJRAE or Junior Red Angus contests.

    One entry per person.

    NAJRAE reserves the right to use the photos in the future in any way they see fit.

    Those selected for the top 10 overall of each age division will be tagged during exhibition.  The top 5 placing overall will not be announced until the Awards Banquet

    Individual contest participation counts towards the sweepstakes contest. Participants must be present during the week of FUZION.

  • Contest Date: Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.

    Senior & Intermediate Topic:
    ”What challenges do beef producers face when using new technology advances to meet future production demands?”

    The intermediate and senior speech division will have a specified topic which will be industry related. 

    The junior speech division topic can be any subject pertaining to Red Angus cattle or the beef industry in any phase of the business.

    The contestant will be evaluated on organization and content, language and delivery, presentation, total effectiveness, and in response to questions.

    Visual aids are limited to physical charts etc.

    No slides, overheads or any other electrical aids will be allowed.

    Time Limits are listed below.

    Individual contest participation counts towards the sweepstakes contest.

    Speech rooms will be open to the public.

    Time Limits:

    Novice speeches are not to exceed 5 minutes

    Junior speeches are not to exceed 5 minutes

    Intermediate 5-7 minutes

    Senior 5-7 minutes.

    Deductions of half a point per ten seconds will be made from the score by each judge for speeches under or over the specified length. 

  • Contest Date: Wednesday, 12:00 pm

    The Sales Talk contest is meant to be an informal interaction between the contestant and the judge (buyer). Contestants will meet individually with the buyer, who will be the judge, and present him or her with a sales talk.

    Time allotted to each contestant is five minute

    Sales Talk presentations need to be 3-5 minutes long and must include the selling of Red Angus cattle, frozen genetics, or meat.

    If you are going to use an animal that you are exhibiting at the show for sales talk, you may bring that animal to the sales talk. If you are going to sell something that you have at home, bring pictures to help you sell.

    Contestants should be prepared to discuss performance information and visual appraisal traits. The contestant also needs to be prepared to answer questions the buyer may have on the item being sold.

    Contest participation counts towards the sweepstakes contest.

  • Interview Date: Monday, 8:00 a.m.

    Click here to submit your application

    This contest is for ONLY exhibitors 16 years and older as of January 1. The contest is designed to give those exhibitors the opportunity to gain the interview skills needed when seeking a job in the ag industry, specifically the cattle industry. Each part of this contest demonstrates “real world” situations that will be used by employees. Exhibitors must choose a real-world job in the Cattle industry specifically the Red Angus breed.

    General Information

    Must be 16 and above as of January 1 to participate.

    Must, for the purpose of the contest, “apply” for one of the following positions:

    1. Feedlot Development Management

    2. Marketing Representative with a Pharmaceutical Company

    3. Purebred Herd Management

    4. Internship with NAJRAE

    Exhibitors must dress in business casual attire.

    Application, cover letter, and resume must be submitted by June 9th by 11:59 pm central!

    Registration & Deadline

    The application, resume, and cover letter must be digitally submitted online through the NAJRAE website.

    All items must be submitted through the link prior to Monday, June 9.

    Required Material

    Application – must be completed online through the NAJRAE website.

    Resume - Exhibitor must upload a resume as a PDF when completing the application.

    References- Exhibitors must upload a list of references (3 business related, 3 personal) with name and contact information.

    Cover Letter – Exhibitor must submit a cover letter as a PDF when completing the application. Letter is to be addressed to Mrs. Kaye Gilbert, Name of the Company Applying, 11523 Violet Ave, Stockport IA 52651.

    Personal Interview

    The Interview will be held in-person at the event.

    Interview will be approximately 15 minutes long.

    Interviews will be held on Monday, 8:00 am.

    Interview times will be posted on or before Sunday.

    Scoring & Awards

    Participants will be ranked in numerical order based on the final score determined by each judge from the Application, Resume, and Cover Letter categories.

    Points are as follows:

    Application - 100 points

    Cover Letter - 100 points

    Resume & References - 200 points

    Personal Interview - 500 points

    Total possible points = 900

    Tiebreakers

    If two participants tie in points, the tiebreakers will be as follows

    1st Tiebreaker – total points on Personal Interview

    2nd Tiebreaker – total points on Resume

    3rd Tiebreaker – total points on Cover Letter

  • Participants must be NAJRAE members in good standing by paying their annual NAJRAE dues.

    AGE REQUIREMENTS: Participants cannot have reached their 22nd birthday prior to January 1 the year of the show. Age divisions during the event are determined by the age as of January 1st of the current show year (2025). These will apply for all contests, unless otherwise noted

    Junior: 8-12 years of age

    Intermediate: 13-16 years of age

    Senior: 17-21 years of age

    Exhibitors must have met all eligibility requirements set forth.

  • CONTEST DATE: Wednesday

    Heats:  8:00 a.m. | Finals:  6:00 p.m

    Each team is required to:

    Teams must sign up during Check In. If a team is short a member, the team will be allowed until Tuesday at Noon to fill the slot.

    Each will consist of four (4) contestants and all must be FUZION exhibitors.

    Team members must include a minimum or one (1) Junior Member and no more than one (1) Senior Member. (Peewees and Novices are not eligible unless they have bumped to the Junior Division)

    General Fitting Contest Rules

    Teams will be broken into heats of no more than 15 teams. If entries are over 15 teams, the heats will be split evenly.

    Each heat will be 30 minutes in length to take a clean, dry animal with nothing in its hair and get it completely show ready (fitting legs, body clipping, working hair, etc.).

    1. A 10 & 5 minute warning will be given.

    2. At the end of the 30 minute allotted time, clippers are to be put down and work stopped.

    3. Cattle are to be removed out of the chute and ready to enter the “show ring”.

    4. Cattle will be shown with their team and questions will be asked by the judges at this time.

    Once the contest begins, no team member may leave the area and no additional equipment may be brought into the fitting area.

    Teams must provide their own supplies needed for fitting.

    Each team will be responsible for bringing in an animal.

    1. Animals are not to be groomed; but, should be washed and dried.

    2. Animals will be checked before entering the competition area.

    3. An animal may not be used more than once.

    Each team member must fit a leg and use the blowers.

    All fitting and grooming techniques must be within the accepted practices for the FUIZON Event. All grooming rules of the FUZION Event will be strictly enforced.

    Animals may be watered, but no feed or hay will be allowed.

    Judging will be by a three-member panel of judges based on 50 points maximum from each judge. Each judge shall total their score and rank the contestants in numerical order on the basis of their score. (Highest score first, lowest score last.)

    Teams will be judged based upon the following criteria:

    1. Quality of workmanship (Ability to fit)

    2. Team Skills –Compatibility & Organization

    3. Compatibility of the use of various types of equipment.

    4. The Final Competition will include a showmanship element. Each animal will be presented to the judges (by one team member) at the completion of the allotted time.

    Exhibits will be evaluated based upon a three-judge system. Neatness of individuals and area will be in consideration.

    Teams in Heat 1 will be responsible for providing chutes and generators to be used in all heats.

    The top 10 teams will be announced at the conclusion of all the heats and will be brought back to the finals.

    Fitting Contest Finals

    The top 10 teams in the finals must fit a different heifer from their heat and one that was not used in a previous heat of the contest.

    All contest rules will apply to the Finals.

    All grooming rules of the FUZION Event will be strictly enforced.

    Each animal must be completely clean and dry.

    Teams are responsible for bringing their own chutes, generators, and equipment.

    1. Contestants will be judged based upon the following criteria:

      • Quality of workmanship

      • Team Skills–Compatibility & Organization

      • Compatibility of the use of various types of equipment

      • The Final Competition will include a showmanship element. Each animal will be presented to the judges (by one team member) at the completion of the allotted time.

    Exhibits will be evaluated based upon a three-judge system. Neatness of individuals and area will be in consideration.

    Prizes won in the fitting contest MAY NOT be returned to the sponsor of the product for a different product.

    Awards will be given to the top five teams.

    **NOTE: In case of power outage for one or more chutes, a horn will be sounded and all work halts on all teams.

  • Contest Date: Tuesday, 4:00 p.m.

    General Quiz Bowl Rules

    The quiz bowl contest will be made up of two age divisions.

    1. Senior – 14 and over

    2. Junior –13 and under

    Quiz bowl teams will consist of four (4) exhibitors in the same age division. Teams do not have to be from the same state but all contestants must be NAJRAE exhibitors.

    Juniors may be permitted to move into the senior division. Seniors will not be allowed to move down an age division.

    Teams will compete in a tournament consisting of head-to-head match-ups where they will be asked three groups of questions.

    The team with the most points at the end of each match up will advance until a winner is named in each age division.

    The moderator will face the back of the room during all rounds. The contestants must face the moderators through the entirety of the rounds.

    Awards will be awarded to both champion and reserve teams.

    Quiz Bowl Rules of Competition

    A player who states an answer which is accepted as correct earns ten (10) points for his or her team. If the moderator is interrupted by a team buzzing in before the question is read completely, and the player who is recognized gives an incorrect or unacceptable answer, the team will lose five (5) points. The moderator will then reread the question in its entirety for the second team. However, if that team also buzzes in before the moderator completes the question, and they give an incorrect or unacceptable answer, they will not lose five (5) points.

    Teams will have 10 seconds to buzz in from the time the moderator finishes the question. Any exceptions to the 10-second time limit will be noted by the moderator. If the team which buzzes in without interrupting gives an incorrect or unacceptable answer, the opposing team will have the remaining time according to the stated time for that question, plus five seconds, to buzz in. When the first team buzzes in before the question has been read completely, and does not give an acceptable answer, the second team will then have 10 seconds to buzz in after the question has been reread for them. Time for the second team begins when the moderator announces the first team’s answer is incorrect or unacceptable.

    Teams may buzz in to answer a question at any time after the moderator begins reading or displaying it. A team member must wait to be recognized by team and position before answering. If a player states an answer without being recognized, if the wrong player answers, or if two or more players respond simultaneously, the moderator must say “I can’t accept that answer,” and turn to the other team, if it has not yet had a chance to respond to the question. Striking a teammate’s buzzer requires the other player, whose buzzer signaled, to give the response.

    If a team member, after being recognized, hesitates or stalls, the moderator will warn him or her to answer the question after three seconds. If the person does not answer the question immediately after the warning, it will be counted as an incorrect response.

    The first answer given by a team member will be the one taken as the answer, whether correct or incorrect. If a player states the correct answer, but mispronounces it, the response will be accepted if, in the opinion of the judge, the player’s attempted pronunciation represents a reasonable phonetic possibility based on the way the word is written.

  • The purpose of this contest is to encourage cooperation, fellowship and teamwork among state juniors in developing and maintaining a display of cattle and stall area. It also promotes pride and enthusiasm for the state junior organization and rewards those organizations that achieve this purpose.

    The contest is held Tuesday-Thursday of the North American Junior Red Angus Event. The states are divided into two divisions: small state and large states.

    They are judged on aisle & bedding (cleanliness and general appearance); animals (clean and well-groomed); equipment, boxes, signs, etc. (well arranged, attractive and general appearance); personnel attending cattle (neat appearance, knowledgeable, friendly, teamwork, enthusiasm); and promotion of association, state, Red Angus or beef.

    The actual booth space cannot exceed a 10x10 area. The emphasis in the scoring is placed on cleanliness and general appearance of the aisle and how the animals are maintained.

    Stalls will be assigned to exhibitors according to state.  Failure to stall in assigned stall space will result in a forfeiture of all premiums and elimination from the herdsmanship competition.

    You may have signs for your junior state association. Farm signs are not allowed, only stall cards provided at the show are allowed. Stall Cards will be provided at check-in. If provided stall cards are not used, points will be deducted.

    The scoring is based on the following:

    Aisle & Bedding – cleanliness, general appearance – 30%

    Animals – clean, groomed, general appearance – 30%

    Youth Tending Cattle - neat, knowledgeable, friendly, teamwork and enthusiasm – 20%

    Equipment, Boxes, Signs, etc. - attractive, well arranged, general appearance – 10%

    Promotion of State, Assn, Red Angus or Beef – general appearance – 10%

TEAM CONTESTS

**NAJRAE provides the opportunity to learn to work as a team in several team contests held during the FUZION Event. Please note the following contests will qualify towards ONE of the exhibitor’s satellite contest participation

  • The Sweepstakes takes the scores from the top 10 exhibitors in the satellite contests and crowns one overall winner out of all divisions. The contestant with the highest score overall will be named the Sweepstakes winner.

    The following contests make up the sweepstakes contest.

    • Arts and Crafts

    • Herdsman’s Quiz & ID

    • Livestock Judging Contest

    • Photo Contest

    • Public Speaking

    • Sales Talk

    Exhibitors will be awarded sweepstakes points for the contests above as listed below:

    Each Contestant will receive 100 points for participation in each contest.

    Points will be awarded in each age division as follows:

    • 1st – 100 

    • 2nd – 80

    • 3rd – 60

    • 4th – 50

    • 5th – 40

    • 6th – 30

    • 7th – 25

    • 8th – 20

    • 9th – 15

    • 10th – 10

    In the event of a tie –

    First tiebreaker will be the Herdsman Quiz.  The candidate with the highest score will be determined the winner of the tie.

    Second tiebreaker will be Sales Talk scores. The candidate with the highest score will be determined the winner of the tie.