Gage Long, Vinita, Okla., has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Bronze and Silver awards, according to Caitlyn Brandt, events and junior activities director of the American Angus Association® in Saint Joseph, Mo.
Long is the 19-year-old son of Rance Long and is a member of the NJAA and the Oklahoma Junior Angus Association.
He participated in the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), where he competed in the team sales, quiz bowl, livestock judging and team fitting contests and the All-American Certified Angus Beef® Cook-Off. He also served as a voting delegate in 2023 and 2024. In 2022, Long participated in the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference and in 2025 he was a participant in the Raising the Bar conference.
Long has submitted weight data to the Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR®) and DNA samples for Genomic Profile Testing through Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI®). He has consigned cattle through a private treaty sale and the Cattlemen’s Kind Production Sale.
The Bronze and Silver awards are the first two levels of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the award, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honor. Applicants are evaluated in areas of junior Angus association activities and leadership, participation in showmanship, contests and shows, using performance testing to improve their herd and their progress in producing and merchandising Angus cattle.
By Amber Wahlgren, Communications Assistant
