What the AJCA Round-Up Is
The Alabama Junior Cattlemen's Association (AJCA) Round-Up is the main junior event of the year for young cattle people in Alabama. It is held each July at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, and the 20th annual Round-Up ran July 23-26, 2026. The Alabama Cattlemen's Association (ACA) organizes it, with a goal its executive vice president, Erin Beasley, describes as bringing "the feel of a junior national show to the state level." The 2025 Round-Up expected about 120 youth, and the 19th Round-Up drew 118 participants. The AJCA Board of Directors is elected at the Round-Up.
Who Can Take Part
The 2026 Round-Up was open to Alabama youth ages 9 to 21. The AJCA itself is open to Alabama youth 21 and under as of January 1 of the membership year. It was formed in 1958 by the ACA Board of Directors and is organized county by county.
AJCA membership cost
| Family | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| One member | $15 |
| Member plus 1 sibling | $20 |
| Member plus 2 siblings | $25 |
| Member plus 3 siblings | $30 |
| Member plus 4 siblings | $35 |
Families with more than five children can call the ACA office at (334) 265-1867.
Cattle Shows and Contests
The 2026 Round-Up program included these cattle shows:
- Market show
- Showmanship
- Bull show
- Breeding heifer show
- Bred and owned heifer show
Twelve educational contests were offered, including two new ones: a t-shirt design contest, where the winning design appears on that year's participant t-shirt, and an educational reel contest. Earlier Round-Ups have included quiz bowl, cattle judging, photography and poster contests. The AJCA also posts a Round-Up rules packet, a Senior Salesmanship packet and a Beef Quiz Bowl study guide on its page.
Judge and Speaker
The 2026 show judge was Dr. John Rayfield, an Alabama native and professor at Texas Tech in Lubbock. The guest speaker was Heather Welper, a Texas native, whose talk for youth was titled "You can't buy showmanship."
How It Works: The Timeline
- Register through the Alabama Cattlemen's Association website, bamabeef.org, using the Round-Up listing on the events page. Registration for recent Round-Ups has opened in late spring.
- Check in at Garrett Coliseum. In 2025 youth checked in on Wednesday and Thursday.
- Compete in the cattle shows and contests, which run through the weekend.
- Attend the educational session, and the AJCA board election.
Where
Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, Alabama.
Questions
How old do I have to be?
The 2026 Round-Up was for youth ages 9 to 21.
Do I need to be an AJCA member?
Membership is open to Alabama youth 21 and under and costs $15 for one member, with a small add-on for each sibling.
Can I show in more than one way?
Yes. The program offers market, breeding and bred and owned classes along with showmanship and the educational contests.
Who do I contact?
Call the Alabama Cattlemen's Association at (334) 265-1867 or write to 201 South Bainbridge Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. Round-Up questions can also go to Bailey Watson through the contact listed on the ACA blog.
Official Links
- Alabama Junior Cattlemen's Association: membership, rules packets and contests
- Bama Beef News: Round-Up dates and registration updates
- AJCA Round-Up 2026: contests, judge and speaker
- Cattlemen kick off the AJCA Round-Up: participation and contests
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Alabama Farmers Federation Annual Meeting
Annual meeting of the Alabama Farmers Federation, held in Montgomery on the organization's events calendar for December 6-7, 2026.
- SLE Rodeo and Livestock Week
Southeastern Livestock Exposition rodeo and livestock week at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, posted on the Bama Beef calendar for March 19-21, 2027.
- SLE Youth Livestock Judging Contest
Youth livestock judging contest tied to the Southeastern Livestock Exposition in Montgomery. Held each year; the most recent date was March 11, 2026.
Montgomery, AL | Organizer: Alabama 4-H Official event details - Youth Livestock Judging Contest at the Southeastern Livestock Exposition
Held each year in Montgomery during the Southeastern Livestock Exposition; the most recent date was March 11, 2026.
Montgomery, AL | Organizer: Alabama 4-H Official event details - Alabama 4-H Horse Communication and Creative Arts Contests
Held each year in Montgomery for Alabama 4-H horse project members; the most recent date was March 14, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.