Roundup Ohio Cattlemen’s Association
T
he OCA Rounup was held in the Wooster area August 17-18. The event kicked off with a dinner and social hosted by Certified Angus Beef, LLC® (CAB) at the new CAB Education and Culinary Center. CAB chefs were on hand providing cooking and cutting demonstrations. Saturday morning program speakers, sponsored by Farm Credit of Mid-America, offered industry insight. Attendees heard from Dr. Glen Dolezal, Cargill Meat Solutions; NCBA President J.D. Alexander; and Dr. Ron Kensinger, Chair OSU Department of Animal Sciences. An auction benefiting NCBA PAC raised more than $3,400. Lunch was at Cargill Feed Milling Plant with a tour of the plant following the meal. The event moved on to the OARDC Beef and Sheep Center where Dr. Francis Fluharty and Dr. Steve Loerch provided an update on beef feedlot research. Rory Lewandowski, OSU Extension Educator in Wayne County discussed forage management. The first farm tour stop was Acker Farms, owned by the Dave Acker family along with son Chad. They own 150 commercial cows that are mated to Limousin bulls. The Roundup concluded with a tour of Paint Valley Farms in western Holmes County. The Lee Miller Family started their farm with the purchase of one registered Shorthorn heifer in 2006 and now have a herd of 60 cows. v J.D. Alexander, NCBA President updated the group on current issues including NCBA’s work on estate tax which he deemed their number one issue. He also reminded the attendees about the importance of belonging to OCA and NCBA as they are actively working on issues that directly affect beef producers.
50 x Ohio Cattleman x Early Fall Issue 2012
Friday night attendees tried their hand at meat judging and learned about new fabrication methods being used in the industry.
Program Speakers Sponsored By:
Dr. Glen Dolezal, Cargill Meat Solutions, gave insight to what the meat industry is facing. He says there is a lot of pressure on the beef industry with high feeder calf prices and high cost of feed.
Dr. Ron Kensinger, Chair OSU Department of Animal Sciences, says it is important for beef producers to tell their story. He noted that less than two percent of Americans have farm or ranch experience.