Each participant in the national contest receives a specially designed belt buckle and cash award. The top five showmen also receive silver Revere bowls and added prize money. In 1967, the American Angus Association was the first beef breed organization to sponsor a National Junior Showmanship Contest. Once separate events, the National Showmanship Contest and the National Junior Angus Show were combined in 1974. A junior member does not have to exhibit cattle the national to attend and be a part of the fun and competition.
Members can demonstrate their poise and speaking ability in public speaking contests.
These two contests involve giving a speech either prepared in advance or in the preparation period for the contest. All of the contests are divided into age divisions. Juniors can practice their marketing skills in the team sales competition. In this contest, three-member teams attempt to sell an animal to the panel of judges who are the potential buyers, and are judged on their knowledge and salesmanship. Angus juniors can demonstrate their artistic skills in the poster and photography contests.