07/04/2026
*Long Post Warning*
(If you want to skip to the point, it’s in the last couple paragraphs)
2026 is Caden’s final year as a junior competitor. Since his first Junior Nationals when he was 7 years old, his favorite competition has been Sales Talk.
Back then, he and his cousin Xavier competed in the team sales contest at Shorthorn Junior Nationals. The first year in Indy it was “just for fun” because X needed a partner. Cade had been showing pigs, but hadn’t started with cattle yet. They won.
The following year in Grand Island they competed again. With a heifer who hated any other heifer who wasn’t red and would attack. In a ring with other teams with other cattle, some of which were not red. Cade still wasn’t showing cattle so we all held our breath when it was his turn to hold the heifer. It went perfectly (except for the fact that he forgot to switch hands). They won.
The next year was Iowa. Suddenly it wasn’t “just for fun,” X and Cade had “a streak” to defend. They delivered. They won.
2014 we were in our backyard. Louisville. The pressure was on. They killed it, but came in second, beat by another team from Indiana. Still, second in the nation is nothing to be ashamed of.
Life changed and for the next four years we didn’t show cattle, so did not compete at junior nationals. But in 2019, we were back and headed to Lebanon, TN. Xavier was senior-age by this time so Cade competed up a division and they made a comeback. The contest changed that year and seniors were required to sell a Purina feed product. Totally different approach. Totally new sales format. They won.
2020 was 2020, no competition.
2021 took us back to Louisville. A chance for Redemption….to win at the only location they had been beat. The contest changed again: deliver a business plan to a loan officer for a cattle-related company complete with financial statements, a marketing plan and budget. Another totally different approach and sales format. They delivered…and placed second. Still, incredible.
Life changed again and Cade and I made the switch to Red Angus. We attended Junior Nationals in Chickasha, OK in 2022 and Brookings, SD in 2023. Red Angus Sales Talk is an individual event. Adjustments were made.
In 2024 we had the opportunity to attend two junior nationals, back to back weeks, in Chickasha and in Louisville. The adjustments paid off. Cade placed second in Chickasha and broke the “Louisville curse” by placing first at NAJRAE.
2025 in Springfield marked another scenario change for seniors. Another adjustment year.
Finally, 2026. The last ride. Madison, WI. Sell a red angus animal to a commercial operation. Three hours after Cade’s presentation he got a call - “there’s a tie for first, the judges need to speak with you again.” Final results - second place…at the national show.
Final tally: 12 national sales talk competitions. 5 Champion wins. 4 Reserve Champion titles.
I say all of this for two reasons. First, I am extremely proud of my son (and nephew) and his tenacity and skill in delivering an effective presentation and reliably “making the sale.”
Second, I cannot overstate the importance and the value of the contests held during breed junior nationals. The shows are about the cattle. The contests are about the kids - about them learning valuable life skills, trying something new, improving year-over-year, and taking these skills and the confidence they build into their adult lives to apply in any situation. Caden is an excellent communicator, a skilled marketer and salesman, and can carry on a conversation about anything with anyone, due in large part to his junior experiences.
Thank you to the employees and volunteers who make these contests possible and who see the importance in developing the kids alongside the livestock. The investment in our youth is invaluable.
