Breeding cattle that work for customers is priority No. 1, but finding those that also excel in the showring is a close second, say Tennessee Angus juniors Alexandra Duckworth and Allison Davis. On the first-ever Junior Takeover of the podcast, Mark and Miranda add National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) director Avery Mather as a guest co-host to dig into her peer’s philosophies on breeding and selecting a champion animal. Avery and Allison share their tips for getting involved in the NJAA, talk about the benefits of having a whole community invested in their future and give advice to new junior members.

HOSTS: Mark McCully, Miranda Reiman, Avery Mather

GUESTS: Allison Davis, of Shelbyville, Tenn., is an integral part of her family’s operation, Mark Davis Family Angus. She’s been involved in the NJAA ever since she was old enough, showing at her first National Junior Angus Show in 2013. A highlight of her show career has been winning Grand Champion Bred and Owned Heifer in 2022, but she says some of her favorite moments are spent in the pastures at home.

Alexandra Duckworth, Afton, Tenn., has literally been Angus her whole life. She was gifted a lifetime American Angus Association membership when she was born and has never looked back. With success both in Bred and Owned and the Phenotpye and Genotype Show, Duckworth is looking to take that experience to become a beef geneticist in the future.

CO-HOST: Born and raised in State Center, Iowa, Avery Mather is the daughter of Joe and Allison Mather. She comes from generations of Angus breeders and continues to exhibit and produce Angus cattle alongside her siblings, Carson and Keegan. Currently, Avery is studying agricultural business at Iowa State University. After graduation, she intends to stay within the agriculture industry, working with producers and the next generation of agriculture enthusiasts.

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