2024 Winter Issue

Winter 2024

Official Publication of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association

2 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

Winter 2024

Official Publication of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association

Features

12

U.S. MEF Trip to South Korea & Japan

20

OCA Elects New Members to Board of Directors

18

22

Editorial

News & Notes

Reference

Industry Excellence Award- Dr. Steve DeBruin

12

BEST Program Commences 2023-24 Season USMEF Trip to South Korea & Japan

4

Harsh Realities

6

OCA News & Views

8

The Ruff Review

10

Forage Focus

7

Annual Meeting Schedule

11

2024 Ohio Beef Expo Schedule

14

Beef Checkoff News

15

Beef Checkoff Remittance Form

24

OCA News

26

Breed News

32

Beef Briefs

16

Allied Industry Council

33

Calendar of Events

34

Parting Shots

34

Advertisers’ Index

18

Industry Excellence Award

22

Cheers to the

25

years!

BEST Program Commences

Winter 2024 | Ohio Cattleman | 3

Ohio Cattleman

10600 U.S. Highway 42 Marysville, Ohio 43040 Phone 614-873-6736 • Fax 614-873-6835 www.ohiocattle.org cattle@ohiocattle.org Editor Elizabeth Harsh

Relationships

By Elizabeth Harsh, Ohio Cattleman Editor

Managing Editor Hannah Weymouth

When you turn the calendar for the year, we hope you already have January 13 marked and have made plans to attend the OCA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet. Check the details in this issue and on the website. OCA is pleased to be hosting NCBA president Todd Wilkinson of South Dakota, who will speak during the opening luncheon.

Sales Representative Luke McKee

Ohio Cattleman magazine (USPA: 020-968, ISSN: 1543-0588) is published six times per year: Winter issue, mailed in January; Expo preview issue, mailed in February; Spring issue, mailed in April; Summer issue, mailed in July; Early Fall issue, mailed in September; and Late Fall issue, mailed in October; for $15 a year to OCA members only. It is dedicated to reporting facts about Ohio’s cattle including marketing, production and legislative news. All editorial and advertising material is screened to meet rigid standards, but publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy or validity of claims. All rights reserved. Circulation for the issue is 3,166.

Published at Minster, Ohio 45865 by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, 10600 US Highway 42, Marysville, Ohio 43040.

Periodical postage paid at Marysville, Ohio and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Ohio Cattleman, 10600 US Highway 42, Marysville, Ohio 43040. CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS: Please send old as well as new address to Ohio Cattleman, 10600 US Highway 42, Marysville, Ohio 43040.

Advertising

To schedule advertising write to: Ohio Cattleman, 10600 US Highway 42, Marysville, Ohio 43040, or call 614873-6736. All advertising material for the Expo Issue must be received by Jan.31, 2024.

Ohio Cattleman Advertising Rates

Full Page $460 2/3 Page 1/2 Page $260 1/3 Page 1/4 Page $145 1/8 Page Business Card $65 Classified Ad

Four Color $270

One Additional Color $90

$345 $175 $105 $50

Ohio Cattlemen’s Association members will receive a 10% discount when advertising their farm products, such as cattle, hay, corn, etc. ...

Call today to place your ad: 614-873-6736

OCA Staff Elizabeth Harsh Executive Director Ron Windnagel Director of Accounting & Operations Hannah Weymouth Manager of Communications & Managing Editor Kelly Keirn Manager of Consumer Program & Digital Marketing Luke Mckee Manager of Member Services Karigan Blue BEST Program Coordinator Tiffany Arnett Office & Project Manager 4 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

HARSH REALITIES

Conducting the business of the cattle industry and recognizing our award winners are important reasons to attend. But the opportunity to renew valued relationships with fellow cattle men and women from across the state and build new ones is perhaps the best reason.

Valued relationships are just interchangeable words also used to describe OCA’s seven award recipients that will be recognized January 13. Each of them exemplifies, some even career-spanning, a long-term relationship with Ohio’s beef cattle industry and OCA looks forward to highlighting their many significant contributions.

We will also show our appreciation for OCA’s leaders and their outstanding service as the association prepares to welcome a new president and vice president for 2024. Relationships come in all forms and the ones with OCA president Tom Karr and vice president Bill Tom are among the very best. The association is better because of them and their leadership.

Earlier this month, OCA, along with Ohio’s commodity groups, was proud to receive the 2023 Friend of Extension award from the Ohio Joint Council of Extension Professionals and Eplison Sigma Phi. This is the highest award given to stakeholders, donors, and supporters. The award represents the value of relationships and shared passion among these groups who continually work to improve the state’s number one industry agriculture.

The holiday season reminds us of the many important relationships in each of our lives. Cherished relationships with family, friends, co-workers and those that share our passions and interests are some of the significant ones that come to mind. Occasionally in the rush of the season I tend to miss the point and need a reminder about enjoying these relationships and the precious moments that come with them. Once fall harvest is over, I get occupied with catching up on farm tasks like preparing for calving season, breaking and picturing our Expo sale consignments or submitting fall registrations and performance data.

As the new year unfolds, there will always be plenty more to do and we never know what tomorrow holds in store for us. So, during the holidays this year, let’s make a pact to remind ourselves to take time to enjoy those relationships that mean the most to each of us. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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OCA Officers

President • Tom Karr 740-591-9900, tom@karrcontracting.com Vice President • Bill Tom 937-694-5378, btom@uproducers.com Treasurer • Linde Sutherly 937-875-0670, linde@lindeslivestockphotos.com Past President • Aaron Arnett 614-947-9931, aaronarnett16@gmail.com

OCA NEWS & VIEWS

Conservation

By Tom Karr, OCA President

OCA Directors

Shane Riley Director At-Large Washington C.H. • Term expires 2026 740-572-2044, shane.rileywch@gmail.com Jim Rogers Director At-Large Logan • Term expires 2023 740-591-7311, jrogers@reedbaur.com Frank Phelps Director At-Large Belle Center • Term expires 2025 937-539-1442, frankph@watchtv.net Jaymes Maciejewski District 1 New Bavaria • Term expires 2026 309-222-0850, jaymes.maciejewski@gmail.com Andy Lohr District 2 Bucyrus • Term expires 2024 419-569-3613, andylohr61@gmail.com John Ferguson District 3 Chardon • Term expires 2025 440-478-0782, john@fergusonshowcattle.com Mark Goecke District 4 Spencerville • Term expires 2026 419-233-3101, goeckefarms@gmail.com Jason Dagger District 5 Cable • Term expires 2024 937-604-8820, jason.dagger@rwe.com Kirsten Nickles District 6 Wooster • Term expires 2025 330-345-0477, KNickles@certifiedangusbeef.com Joe Grubbs District 7 Kensington • Term expires 2026 330-771-0767, jgrubbs0608@gmail.com Linde Sutherly District 8 New Carlisle • Term expires 2024 937-875-0670, linde@lindeslivestockphotos.com Jim Jepsen District 9 Amanda • Term expires 2025 614-560-5919, jepsen.drfarms@gmail.com Austin Cole District 10 West Alexandria • Term expires 2026 937-620-6584, austin.cole31@yahoo.com Lindsey Hall District 11 Hillsboro • Term expires 2024 937-763-8115, lindseycgrimes@gmail.com Dale Taylor • District 12 Bidwell • Term expires 2025 6 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024 740-709-6461,daletaylorfarming@gmail.com

As beef producers we wrestle with defining ourselves and our operations as sustainable entities. We often describe ourselves as being the ultimate conservationist, as we are the stewards of our land and livestock. However, we are also the stewards of our wildlife as we share the maintenance responsibility for their habitat, which sometimes is at odds with our goals of clean pastures, clean fence rows, and “neat” well kept property that our neighbors can see from the road.

One of my father’s favorite traditions on Thanksgiving Day and/or the following Friday was to hunt rabbits on our farm, usually without the assistance of a well-trained Beagle or two, supplied by a relative or neighbor. I remember the last traditional hunt we had before he passed away. It was a perfect weather day, a little snow from the night before, still cloudy with more snow forecast. We couldn’t find a neighbor or friend that was available to invite that would supply the rabbit dogs, so that meant we would assume the extra work of bringing our dogs. Which usually meant a lot more ground to cover to find the rabbits.

We walked and walked one farm without seeing a rabbit. Dad was sure that we would find some on another farm, so we walked and walked and walked three more farms without success.

Dad’s explanation quickly turned to the rapid increase of our coyote population that had never existed ten years ago. I suggested that maybe we had been a little too aggressive on our “neat” well kept property goals, and of course he disagreed. It had been 30 years since our local soil and water conservation offices had convinced us to plant multifloral rose bushes “that would grow into natural fence rows” that would keep the cows in and minimize fence mending and repair, and provide habitat for rabbits, quail, and the occasional pheasant.

As it turned out, they were spot on with their claim of the natural fence rows and the habitat for the wildlife. The part they failed to predict was the aggressive, uncontrolled spread of this noxious species, and the natural fence rows that were so thick the rabbits couldn’t get through! The fences that finally needed mending were so deeply embedded into the “natural” fence, it was impossible to reach the barbed wire without risking spending the night outside as the thorns and prickly bushes sometimes would not surrender their captive catch.

So, the role changed from propagating this noxious weed to finding a chemical that would eliminate the species completely or a dozer to roll up the biggest ball of wire and plant materials that would last a lifetime. Our rabbit population has miraculously rebounded, along with an increase in the coyote population.

We have backed away from the scorched earth, “neat” well kept property plan, and both wildlife species are able to co-exist, as we continue to battle the spread of the “government gift,” the multiflora rose; the gift that keeps on giving.

The quail have never recovered from two back-to-back snow years that were too deep for them to find enough food. This past summer, we heard a couple quail calling back and forth, giving hope to their return. Our grouse population has all but disappeared, with an occasional sighting, and no explanation from the Department of Wildlife as to what caused their demise or when we could expect them to recover. In the meantime, take a look around your operation and reflect on your role as the steward of the wildlife and their habitat.

Schedule of Events 10:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

Registration Desk Opens

Hilton Polaris 8700 Lyra Drive Columbus, Ohio 43240

Cattlemen’s Lunch

Todd Wilkinson, President of NCBA, will be providing updates on important industry priorities and programs.

Featured Speaker

Todd Wilkinson, President of NCBA Todd Wilkinson is a co-owner and operator of a commercial cow-calf operation alongside his son, Nick, in De Smet, South Dakota. He is also is a co-owner of Redstone Feeders, family-owned cattle feeding and finishing operation.

1:30 p.m.

Wilkinson has practiced law for more than 40 years, specializing in estate planning and agricultural law. He Ohio CattleWomen’s Annual Meeting is a graduate of Augustana College and USD School of Law. His firm, Wilkinson & Schumacher, is sought after by landowners across the state when they are facing legal OCA Annual Meeting Take an active role in your organization by attending challenges. the Annual Meeting. Members will set policy for 2024 and hear program and policy updates.

3:30 p.m.

Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation Annual Meeting

1:00 p.m.

Following the annual meeting, the Foundation and the Ohio CattleWomen will present scholarships to the 2023 recipients.

5:00 p.m.

Cattlemen’s Hospitality Hour

6:00 p.m.

OCA Awards Banquet

8:30 p.m.

Banquet highlights: Young Cattleman of the Year, Industry Service Award, Industry Excellence Award, Seedstock Producer of the Year, Commercial Producer of the Year, Environmental Stewardship Award and Outstanding County Award.

Register & Book Your Room Hilton Polaris 8700 Lyra Drive Columbus, Ohio 43240 Room blocks are available for both Friday (Jan. 12) and Saturday (Jan. 13). Book your room by Dec. 22 to receive the discounted rate! Call 614-885-1600 and mention the OCA Annual Meeting to book a room or use the link at ohiocattle.org.

Registration is required and can be found at www.ohiocattle.org or by calling the OCA office at 614-873-6736.

Cattlemen’s Social & PAC Auction

Stick around following the banquet to enjoy refreshments and an evening with fellow cattlemen. Don’t miss your opportunity to take home some great items and experiences with the live auctions benefiting OCA PAC and its political work on behalf of Ohio’s beef

Thank you 2024 Annual Meeting Sponsors Winter 2024 | Ohio Cattleman | 7

THE RUFF REVIEW

What are Your Plans for 2024?

By Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle Field Specialist, OSU Extension It’s hard to believe that we will soon be hanging a 2024 calendar on the wall. Across the board, 2023 has been a roller coaster ride at times. We have seen several ups: record cattle prices, Jim Harbaugh caught in a cheating scandal, great haymaking weather. However, with the ups come the downs: high input costs, a Buckeye loss to TTUN for the third time in a row, Joe Burrow’s broken wrist, lower hay yields.

Early 2023 will be remembered by cattlemen for the record cattle prices that have continued to soften since September. In early November, in a typically benign WASDE report, USDA raised their beef production projection 2% for 2024. This increase sent some shock through the markets. The increase in projected beef production is likely due to higher feedlot placements this fall due to weather. Look for this to be somewhat short lived as the cattle supply continues to be tight. While cattle prices have been softer since mid-September, the long-term outlook is still rather favorable as the cow herd continues to shrink.

At this point, I am optimistic going forward. A strong OCA Replacement Female sale on Black Friday was an indication that there is demand for quality cattle with known genetics and there is greater willingness to pay for quality cattle than one may have thought given the greater scope of the economy.

As we retire the 2023 calendar, what are you going to do to be successful in the cattle business in 2024? In my mind it comes down to three overarching themes: Producing the kind of calves that a buyer wants to buy, being more efficient with input costs where possible, and managing risk.

1) Produce the kind of cattle a buyer wants to buy. That statement seems like an oversimplification of the cattle 8 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

business especially given the limited number of cattle available, but one that I see several producers struggle with.

Perhaps there should be an added caveat to that statement - Produce the kind of cattle a buyer wants to buy without being discounted at the market.

In 2024 to achieve the above, attention must be focused on uniformity and quality of a calf crop. Today’s 90-day breeding and calving season is almost too long, given calf prices. There are numerous research studies that show that earlier born, older, heavier calves are more valuable than younger lighter calves born at the end of the season.

A 60 day, or even a 45 day breeding and calving season, will improve the uniformity of a calf crop and potentially increase lot size.

Here in Ohio with smaller sized cow herds, lot size remains the greatest obstacle for many producers avoiding discounts when selling feeder cattle.

With regards to calf quality, everything starts with genetics of the cow herd and the bull. Be intentional when selecting or purchasing replacement females. Be even more intentional when buying a bull. Purchase a bull that has the genetic ability to improve the genetics of your herd. A bull purchase can have a decade long impact on calf value if retaining females.

2) Be more efficient with input costs.

Interest rates are high. Can that new tractor or baler purchase wait? Should we take a harder look at that operating note? Can better stockmanship and management save some money on the back end? All questions that I think are worth consideration.

I have had several discussions about how this peak in the cattle cycle hasn’t been as profitable on the cow-calf side as it was in 2014, even though cattle prices have been high. It all comes back to input costs. Consider the cost to

operate in 2014 vs 2023. Fuel, trucking, machinery, fence, interest, veterinary costs have all significantly increased over time. Inflation could be the word of the year in 2023.

Hay and stored forage are often a necessary evil given our climate and stocking rates. Feed can amount to 70% of the cost in a cow-calf operation.

Consider ways to optimize forage use.

Develop a budget and sharpen a pencil. A budget will provide guardrails for your operation. Utilize a balance sheet for more than doing your taxes. It can provide a financial snapshot at any point in time and be used as a decision making tool.

3) Manage risk. In the past I have written about various risk management programs that are available to producers.

Programs, such as Livestock Risk Protection, are viable tools given the value of cattle and volatility the market can have at times. With high food costs, conflict in Europe and the Middle East, drought, and who knows what other curveballs are out there, protection against risk is key.

I also like to think about risk management as it relates to animal health and performance. Having a sound vaccination plan, practicing biosecurity, feeding quality minerals are all risk management tools against preventing open cows.

You are going to hear a lot about these practices to manage risk going forward as we begin dealing with new cattle diseases, specifically Theileria, that is transmitted by the Asian Longhorn Tick.

The small cow herd and subsequent calf crops of the next year or two have cause for optimism going forward; so long as farm finance, risk management, and calf quality and uniformity are at the forefront of producers’ minds. Have a safe and beef filled holiday season and a Happy New Year.

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FORAGE FOCUS

Small Carpetgrass: Another Invasive Grass to Watch For

By Jordan Penrose, Ohio State University Extension Ag and Natural Resources Educator, Gallia County Earlier this fall as Dad and I were going along checking and fixing fence in a field that we have been stockpiling for cattle, we found a particular grass that we had never noticed in the field or on the farm before. The first thought that came to mind was that it was Japanese stiltgrass, but after looking up some pictures of Japanese stiltgrass on our phones, we determined it was not that.

Then we used a plant ID app on our phones to see what it would come up with, and it identified it as small carpetgrass. To verify, we searched for small carpetgrass on the internet looking at an Extension website to confirm.

Small carpetgrass also known as joint-head grass, was introduced into the U.S. from Japan and eastern Asia. The earliest reports of the plant are from the early 1970s. Small carpetgrass is an annual invasive grass weed that thrives in sunny, moist areas and prefers wet habitats like stream banks, ponds and lake margins, wetlands, and disturbed areas. We found the grass in an area where the soil gets disturbed from feeding round bales on the pasture in the winter. This fall, we did notice the grass died off

10 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

with the first frost and that our cattle avoided eating it. What stuck out the most about this particular type of grass was the patches of this burgundy color in the field, which turned out to be the seed head; this was on the first of October that we noticed the grass. The grass really showed up in the middle of August when we started to stockpile this field after mowing it.

Some of the other identifying features include a smooth hairless stem and oval to lance-shaped leaves that are one to three inches in length with heart-shaped bases. The leaf margins have conspicuous hairs and flowers are contained in one to several three-inchlong spikes and bloom in early fall.

This grass can grow up to one and a half to two feet tall, with carpet-thick stands in pastures and hayfields, and can choke out desirable plants.

Small carpetgrass can easily be mistaken with a few other grasses like Japanese stiltgrass, which is like small carpetgrass in some ways. It likes moist areas, growing up to two feet tall, is an invasive annual grass that can form a mat over an area, and will take over in areas that are disturbed. The differences are that Japanese stiltgrass comes in mid to

late spring and small carpetgrass comes in mid-summer. Also, the leaves of Japanese stiltgrass are lance-shaped and asymmetrical with a reflective midrib and likes shady, forested areas.

Small carpetgrass also looks similar to deertongue grass. Deertongue grass is slightly larger, covered with stiff hairs and the leaves are typically longer and more lanceolate in shape.

Small carpetgrass should be controlled before any seed forms. If you have small areas of it, manual techniques like hand-pulling and mowing may be the best option for control. However, if you have large areas or an entire field taken over by small carpetgrass, chemical control may be the best option. Unfortunately, since this is grass, any herbicide used to control small carpetgrass will likely also kill desirable grasses. Glyphosatebased products are the most effective, but they are non-selective. Care should be taken when selecting herbicide products due to the propensity of the plant to grow in and around wetlands, where pesticide use is restricted to certain aquatic-safe formulations.

When using pesticides, make sure to read and understand the label before you use the product.

2024 March, 14 -17, 2024 | Columbus, Ohio

SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

**No cattle are permitted on the fairgrounds before 7:30 a.m.** Noon - 5 p.m.

Large Equipment Move-in

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

Junior Market Animal Show, Coliseum Trade Show set up for large indoor equipment 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Trade Show Open, Voinovich Building All breeding cattle must be in place, 9 a.m.

Hereford Sale, Voinovich Building Breeds Building 10:30 a.m.

Shorthorn Sale, Voinovich Building Noon - 3 p.m.

Trade Show set-up outdoor & small indoor 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Junior Show Check-in, (Heifers Only), displays Gilligan Complex 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Trade Show Open, Voinovich Building 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Genetic Pathway Open, Breeds Building 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Junior Show Check-in, Gilligan Complex 12 p.m.

Angus Sale, Voinovich Building 7:30 p.m.

The Social, Hilton Columbus/Polaris 2 p.m.

Simmental Sale, Voinovich Building 4 p.m.

Maine Anjou Sale, Voinovich Building FRIDAY, MARCH 15 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Cowboy Happy Hour, Voinovich Building 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.Judging Contest Check-in & Packet Pick-up, 6 p.m. deadline Junior Show Check-in for Expo Sale Heifers Gilligan Complex Coliseum 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Junior Show Check-in, Gilligan Complex 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Trade Show Open, Voinovich Building SUNDAY, MARCH 17 9 a.m.

Judging Contest Begins, Coliseum 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Junior Heifer Show, Coliseum 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Genetic Pathway Open, Breeds Building 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Trade Show Open, Voinovich Building 10 a.m.

Mini Hereford Show, Cooper Arena Genetic Pathway Open, Breeds Building 11 a.m.

Online Feeder Cattle Sale, Voinovich Building 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

Youth Beef Quality Assurance, Coliseum 12:30 p.m.

Hereford Show, Cooper Arena Shorthorn Show, Cooper Arena 1 p.m.

Aberdeen Angus Sale, Voinovich Building Murray Gray Show, Breeds Building Junior Showmanship, Coliseum 2 p.m.

Angus Parade, Cooper Arena 2 p.m Chianina Sale, Voinovich Building 2:30 p.m.

Judging Contest Awards, Coliseum 3 p.m.

Limousin Sale, Voinovich Building 4 p.m.

Red Angus Sale, Voinovich Building 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Cowboy Happy Hour, Voinovich Building 5 p.m.

Mini Herford Sale, Voinovich Building 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Junior Show Check-in – Market Animals Only, Gilligan Complex 8 a.m. - Noon Noon

EVENT LOCATION Ohio Expo Center 717 East 17th Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43211

OFFICIAL WEBSITE www.ohiobeefexpo.com

OFFICIAL HOTEL Hilton Columbus/Polaris 8700 Lyra Drive Columbus, OH 43240 614.885.1600

OHIO CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION 10600 U.S. Highway 42 Marysville, OH 43040 614.873.6736

Beef & Corn Agriculture Professionals

TRAVEL TO SOUTH KOREA & JAPAN WITH THE U.S. MEAT EXPORT FEDERATION PROMOTING BEEF AND CORN Story by Amy Beth Graves It’s one thing to read about how checkoff dollars are being invested overseas and another to see it in person. For Karyn Forman and Erin Limes Stickel, the signs were literally everywhere.

American Meat Fest! U.S. Beef!

American Meat Pavilion These were some of the different signs in Tokyo, Japan and South Korea promoting U.S. meat in grocery stores and at a food trade expo. The two Ohioans were part of U.S. farmers, ranchers and representatives from the U.S. Meat Export Federation delegation who visited the two countries this fall as part of a trade mission to expand U.S. beef and corn exports. They represented the Ohio Beef Council and Ohio Corn Marketing Program, which help support USMEF through checkoff funding.

“It was a great trip and really showed how USMEF makes extremely good use of checkoff dollars and how their boots-on-the ground approach helps Ohio producers,” said Stickel, whose family has a cattle operation in Wood County.

12 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

Calling the trip “amazing,” Forman said it really opened her eyes as a corn producer. Her family operation is in Goshen, and she’s a board member of the Ohio Corn Checkoff. The Ohio Corn Checkoff supports the work of USMEF in an effort to promote “corn in all forms”. More demand for U.S. beef means more demand for U.S. corn. South Korea is the No. 1 destination for U.S. beef and consumers prefer corn-fed animals.

Nearby Australia is a major grassfed beef producing country and a competitor.

“A lot of times you haul corn to the river and forget where it goes. You always hear about exports and how valuable they are and it’s not that you don’t understand that but it’s completely different when you see it in person and what USMEF is doing to add that value,” she said. “It makes you proud how they’re spending those checkoff dollars to get value added and promotion of Ohio corn and beef.

They really love corn overseas and it’s good to hear that as a corn producer.”

Forman and Stickel learned that South Koreans’ diet has shifted over

the last few years, now consisting of about half rice and half protein, which means more opportunities for meat to become the primary protein. The group visited a processing plant for Frank Burger, a rapidly growing South Korean fast food franchise that sells 100% beef patties and markets itself as having authentic American flavors.

“The U.S. is the No. 1 beef producer in the world and we have the advantage of offering corn-fed beef which they prefer because of the flavor,” Stickel said.

In South Korea, it’s all about convenience when it comes to home meals. They’re big into ordering their groceries from a store with delivery less than 30 minutes later, Forman said. A popular item is “home meal replacements,” which are small kits with the meat vacuumed sealed with vegetables and instructions on how to cook the food. Many are made with U.S. products.

While South Koreans are increasingly consuming beef, the amount per meal is much smaller than in the United States. Thin slices of beef dipped in oil or boiled with

vegetables are more the trend there.

“One of my key takeaways from the trip is that the Korean consumer is vastly different than the Japanese consumer and that there’s not a lot of opportunity for meat food storage in the household. In the U.S. everyone has a freezer in the kitchen but they don’t have that luxury and typically buy their meat the day of use or a couple of days ahead of time,” Stickel said. “But the similarities are that everyone wants a great eating experience and to know where their food is coming from.”

In Japan, which is more affluent than South Korea, it’s all about utilizing the whole meat carcass and brand loyalty, and USMEF has worked over the years to capitalize on that, Forman said.

“One you get that customer loyal to you, they’ll stick with you and pay a higher price for U.S. beef, which may be a little bit more expensive. They’re very happy with the quality of U.S. beef and the grades and USMEF highly promotes those grades,” she said.

In Japanese grocery stores, the U.S. meat products have QR codes that shoppers can scan to watch a brief video on how to prepare the meat and a grocery list of what goes with a recipe.

“The QR codes are really smart marketing because it really gets to the younger or newer cooks to help develop that brand of loyalty,” Forman said.

The group also met with social media influencers and taught them how to grill steak and pork ribs while sharing pictures of their American farms and family.

“They don’t grill much because a lot live in apartments that are stacked on top of each other and they hang clothes out to dry but now you can buy smokeless grills,” Forman said.

After returning home to the United States, Stickel has continued to work with one of the social media influencers to further education and awareness of American beef.

“Whenever she posts on Instagram, I use the translate tool and offer additional information about raising beef in the U.S. and how proud we are to offer a healthy and wholesome product,” said Stickel, who is chairman of the Ohio Beef Council.

At a food trade conference in Japan, the delegation met with 400 people and talked about their farms and heritage, food safety protocols and quality end products. They discussed the different cuts of meat and how to promote and prepare them in

restaurants and stores. Attendees sampled different appetizers not as familiar with Asian consumers such as philly cheesesteak.

The trip provided Stickel and Forman with a better understanding of the buying habits of consumers in Japan and South Korea. “$400 of market value of US Beef is directly correlated to the export markets, $100 of that being the Korean market alone”, Stickel said.

“These stats speak for themselves when talking about partnerships with groups like USMEF and direct ROI of checkoff dollars. The trip offered a deep understanding of both countries from a cultural and economical standpoint. It was very insightful personally and professionally for me and gave us a better understanding of buying habits. It also allowed them to meet U.S. producers like myself face to face and hear directly from us.”

Winter 2024 | Ohio Cattleman | 13

DRIVING THE DEMAND FOR BEEF

Investing in Beef Promotion, Nutrition, Education & Research BEEF PROMOTION GRANT EDUCATES FAIRFIELD COUNTY

Consumers gathered on August 8 to learn about beef during the Fairfield County Local Foods Week. The event was hosted by the OSU Extension and Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association with support from the Ohio Beef Council’s (OBC) Beef Promotion Grant.

OSU Beef Field Specialist Garth Ruff demonstrated how the best beef-eating experience starts with cut selection and proper cooking techniques.

Consumers learned how to select, grill and enjoy the perfect steak. Techniques were also shared on how to properly smoke the perfect brisket, the importance of using a meat thermometer and food safety practices The Beef Promotion Grant utilizes Beef Checkoff dollars to promote beef and educate urban Ohio consumers on how beef gets from pasture to plate. For more information about the grant visit ohiobeef. org.

UNDER THE BEEF INFLUENCE

OBC and the Beef Checkoff hosted six Ohio food bloggers and social influencers on a beef-filled tour October 5-6. The day-and-a-half event featured a farm tour at Agle Family Cattle in Clark County where owner Bob Agle discussed his cattle operation and shared how continued education on the farm contributes to the ultimate eating experience. The influencers then enjoyed lunch at the local beef farmer-owned Butcher Block restaurant in London, OH. A videography session at OSU provided the influencers with tips and tricks on how to create compelling beef recipe videos for their readers. The day continued with a meat-cutting and wood-hearth cooking demonstration led

by Little West Tavern chefs Matthew Berichon and Danny Godfrey and ended with dinner and beef bone marrow ice cream.

the Beef Checkoff and SBCs can work together to drive the demand for beef.

BEEF CONTINUES TO IMPACT OHIO’S CLASSROOMS Day two of the event was held in Mitchell Hall on the Columbus State Community College campus where culinary staff and students were invited to join the influencers. Darian Brooks of Certified Angus Beef (CAB) broke down a chuck and loin to showcase the variety of cuts and beef ’s versatility. Students were able to try their hand at cutting and trimming the loin into the perfect roasts for the upcoming holidays. The program concluded with beef nutrition Jeopardy presented by OBC’s dietitian Anna Gest and a discussion led by Inspire PR Group on best practices and how to be the best influencer partner.

BUILDING A STRONGER STATE AND NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP

State Beef Councils (SBC) from across the county gathered in Denver, October 11-13, for the annual Partnerships in Action (PIA) conference. Coordinated by the Federation of State Beef Councils and funded by the Beef Checkoff, PIA brings state beef councils together to build a stronger state and national partnership.

OBC had a large increase in Beef in the Classroom Grant applications this fall after an informational email was sent to Ohio’s high schools through the Beef Checkoff ’s Ohio High School Athlete Association (OHSAA) partnership. The growth in applications included 67% from schools that just learned of the grant. The direct email reached 19,000 superintendents, principals, educators, coaches, and directors and contained beef nutrition facts for tweens and teens, and recipes for young athletes along with the grant link.

Thanks to beef farmers, Ohio’s students complete lessons on beef selection, storage, preparation, nutrition and food safety.

And Ohio’s student-athletes learn about the importance of high-quality beef in their diets.

ANNUAL BURGER BATTLE A SUCCESS

OBC on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, partnered with the Ohio Restaurant Association Education Foundation to sponsor the Annual ProStart® Burger Battle. The event was held Nov. 1 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds and brought together six (6) schools within

the ProStart program with a recordbreaking 19 entrees.

JD May from Vanguard Sentinel Career & Technology Center took home the coveted golden burger trophy.

Attendees learned about program strategy, current consumer trends and preferences, and upcoming Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. promotions and how

The Ohio Beef Council and the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board are responsible for developing programs that increase the demand for beef. For more information, contact the Ohio Beef Council at 614-873-6736, beef@ohiobeef.org or visit www.ohiobeef.org.

Ohio Beef Council Operating Committee: Erin Stickel, Bowling Green, Chairman • Allan Robison, Cable, Vice Chairman • Stan Smith, Canal Winchester, Treasurer • Mandy Atterholt, Loudonville Mark Goecke, Spencerville • Lou Ellen Harr, Jeromesville • Stephanie Harris, St. Clairsville• Bret Layman, Johnstown•Jake Osborn, Lynchburg • Becky Reed, Springfield Ben Seibert, St. Marys • Bill Sexten, Washington CH • Susie Turner, Somerset• Kris Vincent, East Canton• Barb Watts, Alexandria • Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director 14 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

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THE BEEF CHECKOFF Working Twice as Hard For You Nationally and at Home

Have you Sold Cattle on the Farm?

If so, be sure to send in your checkoff investment.

It’s the LAW to pay the National $1.00 per head on all cattle sold.

It’s also the LAW to pay the State $1.00 per head on all cattle sold.

The National ($1.00) and the State ($1.00) Checkoff provide funds needed to help promote beef and the cattle industry. The Beef Checkoff program is run by producers like you and has played a vital role in increasing the demand for beef.

PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM Both the seller and the buyer have the responsibility of collecting and remitting $1.00 per head National assessment and the $1.00 per head State assessment to the Ohio Beef Council. This form is designed for the seller to use in private treaty sales.

Date of Sale: Seller’s Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Seller’s Signature: National: Total Number of Cattle Sold:

X $1 per head = $

State: Total Number of Cattle Sold:

X $1 per head = $ Total Amount Remitted $

Send form and payment to: Ohio Beef Council 10600 U.S. Highway 42 Marysville, OH 43040

614-873-6736 beef@ohiobeef.org

15 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) Allied Industry Council is a business partnership that supports educational efforts and leadership opportunities for cattlemen to advance Ohio’s beef cattle industry.

ADM Animal Nutrition

Camron Deckling camron.deckling@adm.com Kevin Steele 330-465-0962 www.admworld.comw

Ag Credit

David White 419-435-7758 www.agcredit.net

Ag-Pro

Ben Butcher & Jenna Watson 740-653-6951 www.agprocompanies.com

Allflex USA, Inc.

Dave McElhaney 717-462-1185 www.allflexusa.com

Alliantgroup

www.alliantgroup.com

Alltech

www.alltech.com

Alligare, LLC

Jeff Clark 724-494-6199 Marianna Hague 334-748-0048 Bo Burns 610-742-8016 Paul Conti 610-742-6303 Zach Hildictch 208-550-5869 www.alligare.com/

Armstrong Ag & Supply

Cargill Animal Nutrition

Highland Livestock Supply Ltd.

Nationwide Insurance

Central Life Sciences

Hubbard Feeds

Nexus Marketing

Elaine Riechard 937-770-2820 Anna Taylor 701-220-9387 www.cargill.com | www.sunglo.com Kenley Rogers 330-465-9225 www.centrallifesciences.com

Cornerstone Veterinary Services, LLC Amgad Riad 567-510-4340 www.mycsvets.com

Corteva AgriScience

Rachel Walker 270-995-9541 www.rangeandpasture.com

D&J Sales and Services

Jon Jones 740-391-1246 www.djsalesandservice.com

DHI Cooperative, Inc.

Brian Winters 1-800-DHI-OHIO Tim Pye 912-682-9798 www.dhicoop.com

Elanco Animal Health

Jon Sweeney 515-249-2926 Jim Stefanak 330-298-8113 www.elanco.com

Farm Credit Mid-America

Baird Private Wealth Management

Scott LaGuire 419-733-9796 David Sanders 740-335-3306 Evan Hahn 567-215-7367 www.e-farmcredit.com

Bane-Welker Equipment

Nick Zachrich 614-514-9577 Sarah McClain 614-292-4278

Dean Armstrong 740-988-5681 Patrick Saunders 740-446-2000 www.patricksaundersfc.com Makayla Eggleton 937-206-1653 Heather Geiger 740-363-3614 Scott Raber 740-363-1341 Ext. 9037 Andrew Baker 937-456-6281 Ext. 9038 Jay Snodgrass 765-866-0494 Ext. 2215 www.bane-welker.com

Bayer Crop Science

Christina Howell 419-295-9247 Dan Hutchins 614-546-9603 www.cropscience.bayer.com

BioZyme, Inc.

Lori Lawrence 614-395-9513 Ty McGuire 816-344-5874 www.biozymeinc.com

Boehringer-Ingelheim

Thomas Reinholt 260-460-7174 Brent Tolle www.boehringer-ingelheim.com

Burkmann Nutrition

Brent Williams 859-236-0400 Kasey Gordon 859-236-0400 Tom Hastings 859-236-0400 Austin Sexten 859-236-0400 Dr. David Williams 859-236-0400 www.burkmann.com 16 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

Farm Science Review Fennig Equipment

Gary Fennig 419-953-8500 www.fenningequipment.com

Flatrock Butcher Block

Brent Buckley 740-208-5104 Renee Buckley 740-339-0923 www.flatrockbutcher.com

Four Star Veterinary Service Taylor Engle 419-305-7494 Bryant Chapman 419-953-4523 Trey Gellert 419-953-4523 www.4starvets.com

Heartland Bank

Greg Woodward 614-214-3186 Matthew Bucklew 614-475-7024 www.heartland.bank

Heartland Feed Services

Joe Siegrist 419-305-2451 Travis Spicer 419-733-9915 Chad Knapke 419-733-6434 Andrew Davis 419-733-6239 Jacob Giere 419-733-1611 www.heartlandfeedsrevices.com

Curt & Allison Hively 330-457-2033 www.highlandlivestocksupply.com Jordon Eggersman 937-892-8271 www.hubbardfeeds.com

ICAP Crop Insurance

Lindsey Hall 937-763-8115 Joanie Grimes 937-763-1198 www.icapcrop.com/

Jividens’s Farm Equipment, LLC Dustin Deckard, Ashlee Deckard, Jon Davis, & Jane Jividen 740-709-9713 https://jividens.com

Shawnda Vega 614-329-4500 Dan Durheim 202-316-4984 www.farmagentfinder.com Pat Lampert 419-953-0546 Chad Leffel 567-204-7846 Holly Fleck 419-953-2295 www.nexusag.org

Ohio Ag Equipment/ Ohio CAT Courtney Bush & Linda Meier 614-851-3629 Brian Speelman 614-851-3629 www.ohiocat.com

Ohio Cow Hunters

Michael Hendren 740-404-3134 Chris Goodwin 740-823-2502 Carlie Milam 304-890-6788 www.ohiocowhunters.com

Johnson Concrete Livestock Waterers

Ohio Penal Industry

Kalmbach Feeds

Madison Layman 330-293-2184 www.soyohio.org

Brad McCormick 402-463-1359 www.johnsonconcreteproducts.com Jeff Neal 419-356-0128 Kyle Nickles 419-294-3838 Cheryl Miller 419-294-3838 www.kalmbachfeeds.com

K Buildings

Doug Hemm 937-16-5620: 419-667-3011 www.kkbuildings.com

Kent Nutrition Group

Patrick Barker 513-315-3833 www.kentfeeds.com

M.H. Eby Inc./Eby Trailers

Kirk Swensen 614-879-6901 Steve Rittenhouse 614-879-6901 www.mheby.com

McArthur Lumber & Post

Clint 740-596-2551 www.totalfarmandfence.com

McGuire Wholesale

Virgil Jennings 800-860-3744 Dave Bishop 800-860-3744 Keith Montgomery 800-860-3744 Duane Wilson 800-860-3744 Tessa Briggs 800-860-3744 www.mcguirewholesale.com

Merck Animal Health

Seth Clark 330-465-2728

www.merck-animal-health-usa.com

Muirfield Energy

Doug Foreman 419-569-5912 Jerry Jenkins 937-210-0203 Cathi Lydy 419-265-0758 Heritage Cooperative Michael Gonzales 817-739-2623 Dale Stryffler 330-556-8465 Derek www.murifieldenergry.com Fauber 614-873-6736 Murphy Tractor David Monnin 914-873-6736 Eric Bischoff 614-876-1141 www.heritagecooperative.com Brent Chauvin 937-898-4198 www.murphytractor.com

William Bierbaugh 614-214-8916, Robert Caplinger 614-531-8291 www.opi.ohio.gov

Ohio Soybean Council

OSU Large Animal Services

Eric Gordon DVM, Kristin Smith RVT, Kevin Jacque DVM, Alissa Wilhelm DVM, Shaw Perrin DVM 937-642-2936 www.marysville.vet.ohio-state.edu

PBS Animal Health

Hanna Fosbrink 330-834-3000 Kevin Warrene 800-321-0235 www.pbsanimalhealth.com

Priefert Ranch Equipment

Steve Campbell 903-434-8973 Nate Aguredakes 330-868-1181 www.priefert.com

Purina Animal Nutrition

Patrick Gunn 317-967-4345 Cy Prettyman 470-360-5538 Kira Morgan 812-480-2715 David Newsom 317-677-5799 www.purinamills.com

Quality Liquid Feeds

Joe Foster 614-560-5228 www.qlf.com

Reed & Baur Insurance Agency Jim & Paula Rogers 866-593-6688 www.reedbaurinsurance.com

Richfield Industries

Tom Campbell 810-516-7779 www.richind.com

Ridgeview Reproductive Services LLC

Patricia Parrish 740-641-3217

Rodoc Leasing & Sales

Roger Miller 419-692-5881 Braytan Kruse 419-394-4408 Tony Rieman 419-348-0644 Abby Snyder 937-869-9712 Bryan Hoersten 937-503-7979 www.rodoc.com

Rod’s Western Palace

Eric Seaman 614-262-2512 www.rods.com

Sakura Wagyu Farms

Tori Grafton 614-809-1089 Chad Adams 402-533-2030 Lawrence Adams 402-440-0924 Francis Pang 330-323-0960 David Sahr 740-817-3261 www.sakurawagyufarms.com

Saunders Insurance Agency John Saunders 740-446-0404 Scott Saunders 740-446-0404 Brett Steinback 740-446-0404 www.saundersins.com

Sedgwick

Select Sires Member Co-op Julie Ziegler, Joanna Frankenberg Kevin Hinds, & Rachel Billups 614-878-5333 Jim Ray 614-205-7176 www.cobaselect.com

Shade River Ag Service

Tom Karr 740-591-9900, Whitney Hayman 740-591-8800 Wesley Karr 740-591-8975 Rob Hoffman 740-985-3445

www.facebook.com/Shade-River-Ag-Chester

ST Genetics

Nikki McCarty 330-868-1182 Nate Aguredakes 330-868-1182 www.ranchcity.com

Sunrise Co-op, Inc.

Jay Clutter 419-305-3702 www.sunriseco-op.com

Tony Sharrock 614-376-5450 David Deyo 614-376-5401 www.sedgwickcms.com

Welcome AIC Members

Kevin Wendt 614-626-7653 Dale Evans 260-894-0458 Nick Cummings 740-572-0756 Tyler Wilt 740-572-1249 Wesley Black 740-572-1670 www.thewendtgroup.com

TransOva Genetics

Emily Warnimont 712-722-3586 Lacey Murray 712-722-3586 Amber Clark 712-722-3586 Sabrina Clark 712-722-3586 www.transova.com

Umbarger Show Feeds

Jackson Umbarger 317-422-5195 Eric King 419-889-744 www.umbargerandsons.com

Aaron Arnett 614-947-9931 www.stgen.com

Straight A’s

The Wendt Group

United Producers, Inc.

Sam Roberts 614-890-6666 Bill Tom 937-694-5378 Sue Bechtel 614-433-2190 Hannah Carter 614-433-2190 1-800-456-3276 www.uproducers.com

Vitalix Inc.

Travis Taylor 816-592-3000 Carmen Grissom 405-827-4912 Dusty Allison 308-254-6224 www.vitalix.com

Vytelle

Zach Bartenslager 304-661-6331 Kara Schmidt 443-974-2067 www.vytelle.com

Weaver Leather Livestock Angela Kain 330-674-1782 Lisa Shearer 330-674-1782 Karli Mast 330-674-1782 www.weaverleather.com

WM. E Fagaly & Son Inc.

Ryan Gries 513-678-1042 Chris McConnell 513-667-7444 Kara Schmidt 443-974-2067 www.fagalyfeed.com

Zoetis Animal Health

Laura Homan 320-293-2184 www.zoetisus.com

Looking for efficiency?

Look under “R” for Red Angus.

Red Angus Heifers, Bred Heifers & Bulls For Sale 12-18 month & 2 year-old bulls for sale

Tom Karr

34740 State Route 7 Pomeroy, Ohio 45769 740.591.9900 (cell) 740.985.3444 (office) tom@karrcontracting.com Winter 2024 | Ohio Cattleman | 17

Industry Excellence Award VETERINARIAN STEVE DEBRUIN’S INVOLVEMENT WITH VARIOUS BOARDS HAS BENEFITED THE CATTLE, AG INDUSTRIES Story & Photos by Amy Beth Graves

Dr. Steve DeBruin doesn’t hesitate when asked to describe what he likes about raising cattle.

“After all these years, I still think it’s really cool when that mama cow comes off the hill with her baby calf following her. It really tugs at the heart,” said Steve, a large animal veterinarian in Millersport.

Steve’s love of cattle goes well beyond the animals. He’s been a longtime advocate for the cattle industry and agriculture. As a veterinarian and cattle producer, he knows the importance of animal welfare and how hard producers work to take care of their animals to ensure the meat served to consumers is safe and of high quality. His advocacy and passion for the cattle industry led to him receiving the Ohio Cattlemen’s Industry Excellence Award.

“I was pretty excited and surprised to get the award. A lot of people who have helped me over the years also deserve credit. They’ve helped me along the way,” he said.

Steve grew up in Circleville and developed a love for agriculture while visiting his grandfather’s farm of beef

18 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

and dairy cows, pigs and chickens.

He’d follow along with the veterinarian whenever he visited, peppering him with questions about science and animals. At just 9 years old, he set the broken leg of a bird and knew that he was destined for a career helping care for animals. During his senior year at Ohio State University where he was focusing on animal science and nutrition classes, his grandfather died and he traveled 50 miles each way from the school to the farm, helping take care of 40 beef cows and 35 sows.

The funds from raising those animals helped pay for Steve’s college education, and he graduated from Ohio State’s School of Veterinary Medicine in June 1983 with an emphasis on bovine medicine. Just a month later, he bought a veterinary practice, Feeder Creek Veterinary Services (the building is located near a creek that feeds nearby Buckeye Lake). Today, the practice, which focuses on large animals, has six veterinarians who travel an 80-mile radius taking care of beef and dairy cows, horses, pigs, goats and llamas.

Steve and his staff have their sched-

ules down to a science: half of the day is scheduled for appointments for castration, vaccinations, pregnancy checks, etc. and the other half is set aside for emergencies. Unless Steve is on call, he typically winds up work around 5 p.m. and then checks on the 100-120 stocker calves and finishing steers on his farm. Scott Barrett of Fairfield Cattle Company buys and sells Steve’s animals.

Joining him sometimes on his visits to area farms are Ohio State students studying to be veterinarians. Typically Steve helps mentor up to eight students every year.

“I really enjoy it because I like talking to people and when you’re in the truck together, you have a lot of time to talk. I like to show students that with there being six of us in the practice to spread out the work that you can be a large animal vet, still work on your farm and be financially successful,” he said. “It’s also a twoway street when it comes to learning. I teach them about what I’ve been doing for decades and they share all the newest news from the veterinary school.

There’s a lot of learning going on.”

Steve has had a lifelong interest in helping educate others and being active in the agricultural community.

He’s served on various agricultural and livestock boards, including a term as the Ohio Cattlemen’s president and representing OCA in Fairfield, Hocking, Licking and Perry counties.

In 2015, he was inducted into Ohio State’s Animal Science Hall of Fame.

Steve was part of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, established in 2009 when Ohioans passed a constitutional amendment requiring the state to address animal welfare standards relating to the livestock industry. It was a preemptive strike to prevent the Humane Society of the United States from dictating livestock care standards from its own perspective. As a livestock veterinarian, Steve brought a wealth of knowledge to the board about animal welfare.

“The board set the standards for livestock care of what was acceptable or not for when someone saw something they didn’t like and there was an investigation. For example, someone could say it’s cruel for a cow to be out in the snow or cold but that’s not true if she has access to water, food and a barn.

That shows it’s her choice to be out there. If we didn’t have the board in place, HSUS could have had a major impact on the beef industry in Ohio,” he said.

Water quality is another hot topic that Steve has addressed while he served on the board of Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow, a nonprofit group that worked to improve the water quality of the central Ohio lake, which has been hampered by toxic algal blooms over the years. He represented both the community’s businesses, which rely heavily on the money brought in by tourists, and agriculture, which has been accused by some as being the main culprit of the problem. Steve brought agriculture’s message to the table: farmers were more than willing to help and this was a complicated and longstanding problem with many contributors.

Steve worked with Ohio State researcher and professor Francis Fluharty to develop a Quality Assurance Program to teach students and producers about science-based production practices to ensure animals’ well-being, beef quality and safety.

“The reason why we started this was for food safety – we wanted to assure that our meat was of good quality and no illegal substances in it,” Steve said.

“Ohio was on the forefront of this and it’s now done nationwide.”

In recognition of the shortage of large animal vets in not only Ohio but nationwide, Steve started offering calving demonstrations for county groups. He would recruit a youth or

adult in the audience to be the calf and with the aid of a blue tarp “birth canal,” he’d talk about the birthing process, how to make it easier for the calf to be born and when to call a veterinarian.

“I probably did 30 calving demonstrations over a three-year time period.

It was a pretty popular program,” he said.

Steve’s wife, Patti, who died in 2019, was a member of Ohio Farm Bureau’s executive board for 12 years and would ask for his input on various animal welfare topics.

“Patti was really involved with Ohio Farm Bureau, and she’d call me up to get my advice on topics that they were debating like gestation crates for hogs or pasture raised chickens,” he said.

Steve, who now has 40 years experience of being a veterinarian, is showing no signs of slowing down.

He still puts in long hours and enjoys spending time traveling and watching his grandchildren show at county fairs.

While he works with many species of animals, cattle are still his favorite.

“I like the idea that cows are big and tough enough to endure 100 degrees to minus 30 degrees and that they can eat cornstalk or grass or hay and you get a great meat out of it and they do it so efficiently,” he said.

Winter 2024 | Ohio Cattleman | 19

OCA NEWS

OCA ELECTS NEW MEMBERS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) recently held elections for directors in districts 1, 4, 7, 10 and one at-large position.

Elected Directors The newly elected board members are Joe Grubbs, district 7; Austin Cole, district 10; Shane Riley, at-large.

Joseph Grubbs of Kensington is 29 years old and represents the sixth generation to be on his family’s beef operation in Carroll County. The Grubbs’ family raises 80 head of commercial Angus cow/calf pairs.

In addition, they feed out 14 head of freezer beef per year for local customers.

Grubbs has served on the Carroll County Farm Bureau Board of Trustees. He attended the 2022 OCA Young Cattlemen’s Conference leadership development program.

Austin Cole of West Alexandria is a full-time cattle feeder with 10 plus years of experience, the majority of which includes commercially backgrounding and finishing load lots.

He farms with his wife, Lindsey, kids Kasen and Kooper, and her family in Preble County. The Cole family participate annually in the Ohio State Fair Commercial Cattle Show and they have participated in the Ohio Wagyu Beef program. Cole attended the OCA Young Cattlemen’s Conference in 2018 and his family supports the annual Cattlemen’s Gala. In addition, the family enjoys competing in the OCA BEST youth development program and its stockmanship contests.

20 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

Cole currently serves as a township trustee and is the president of the Preble County Township Association.

He also serves on the Preble County Land Reutilization Board and volunteers in various roles with the local high school.

Shane Riley of Washington Court House is currently serving as an atlarge director for the OCA board of directors. He is chairman of the Ohio Beef Expo and chairs the OCA BEST Committee. Riley and his family own and operate Riley Family Show Cattle in Fayette County. He is also actively involved in and treasurer of the Fayette County Cattle Feeders Association. Riley is a senior vice president at Union Savings Bank headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The directors elected to serve another term are: District 1 - Jaymes Maciejewski, Henry County District 4 - Mark Goecke, Allen County The board will elect officers and the executive committee at the next meeting.

Retiring Directors OCA would like to extend a thank you to the retiring directors for their many years of service and dedication to not only the association, but the industry as a whole. Thank you to: Brad Thornburg, Belmont County, District 7 and Sarah Ison, Clermont County, District 10.

Joe Grubbs, District 7 Director

Austin Cole, District 10 Director

Shane Riley, at-large Director

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Winter 2024 | Ohio Cattleman | 21

Cheers to the

25

years!

BEST Program to Celebrate 25 Years with the 2023-24 Season

The Beef Exhibitor Show Total (BEST) Program is excited to commence a new season with this year’s theme “Cheers to the BEST 25 Years” alongside sponsoring partners: Robbins Show Cattle, Ag-Pro, Bob Evans Farms, Diamond T Land & Cattle Co, Giulitto Trucking LLC, M.H. EBY Inc., Performance Training Solutions, Ricer Equipment, Weaver Livestock, The Folks Printing, Dickson Cattle Co., Jones Show Cattle, RD Jones Excavating, Shepard Cattle Company, and Six R Farms.

BEST is a youth development program of OCA that recognizes Ohio’s junior beef exhibitors for participation and placings through a series of sanctioned cattle shows that include showmanship competitions, educational contests, leadership opportunities and community service.

Juniors earn points for participation in each sanctioned show which they are rewarded for at the end-of-season banquet.

BEST PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Participants 8-years-old as of Jan. 1, 2024, but no older than 21 years as of age as of Jan. 1, 2024, are eligible to accumulate OCA BEST points.

Exhibitors must be Ohio residents with the exception of Buckeye Breeders Series (BBS) eligible cattle.

Those exhibiting BBS cattle are 22 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

eligible to accumulate BEST points regardless of state of residency.

Juniors or the junior’s family must be a current member of OCA. The OCA membership must be in the name of the BEST participant’s immediate family. OCA family memberships are $75 and will operate on a 12-month basis. Exhibitors showing cattle at a BEST sanctioned how, but not participating in the BEST program, must also have an OCA membership.

A nomination fee is also required for each animal a junior enters in the BEST program. The one-time $60 nomination fee allows the animal to accumulate points at any OCA BEST sanctioned show. The nomination fee must be paid before the start of the show where the exhibitor plans to accumulate points. Online nomination and entries must be completed for each participant and animal and may be submitted prior to or during check-in at a BEST sanctioned show.

Exhibitors must be Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified to participate in the BEST program.

BQA certification is available through in-person trainings at certain BEST shows, bqa.org or yqca.org. BEST participants that attended an inperson BQA training last BEST season (2022-2023) are certified for three years from the day of training.

ALL cattle showing at a BEST sanctioned show in-state and outof-state MUST be tagged with an electronic identification (EID) ear tag prior to arriving at their first BEST show. Visit best.ohiocattle.org to learn more about applying for a farm’s Premise ID before ordering EID tags.

EID Tags are available through the OCA office.

Again this year, ALL cattle, heifers and steers, exhibited at an OCA BEST sanctioned show are required to be tested and negative for Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) persistent infection (PI) status. All animals must have a negative BVD test to be exhibited at any OCA BEST sanctioned show. More information regarding proper testing can be found at ohiocattle.org/BEST. BUCKEYE BREEDERS SERIES (BBS) BBS is Ohio’s premier bred, born and raised division of BEST that rewards both exhibitors and breeders for their participation with registered steers and heifers from an Ohio seedstock breeder. This division will have a separate set of points to be accumulated for exhibitors throughout the season.

Out-of-state exhibitors will be eligible for BEST only if they exhibit a BBS eligible animal.

At the end of the season, exhibitors

will be entered in a drawing for a year’s use of a livestock trailer, donated by M.H. EBY. Breeders will be entered in a drawing for a year’s use of a John Deere Gator, donated by Ag-Pro. Learn more about BBS and the nomination procedures for this division at ohiocattle.org/BEST. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND ACADEMICS OUTSIDE OF THE RING The BEST program includes the Stockmanship Division to allow exhibitors with or without cattle to showcase their talent outside of the ring by expanding their knowledge of cattle and the industry.

The Stockmanship contests for this year are as follows: •Prepared Speaking – Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 9 a.m.

•Cattlemen’s Challenge Competition (OCA’s version of a skill-a-thon) – Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 9 a.m.

•Salesmanship – Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 9 a.m.

•Fitting Contest - Friday, February 9, 2024, at 6 p.m.

•Judging Contest - held at the Ohio Beef Expo, Columbus - Friday, March 15, 2024 A photography competition is also offered to help BEST exhibitors increase their communication skills.

Multiple $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to BEST participants pursuing an agriculture related post-high school degree. These will be awarded based on academics and extracurricular activities for high school juniors and seniors.

OCA and Weaver Leather Livestock will team up to recognize individuals that show exceptional leadership and character no matter their age. Any OCA member, BEST participant or their parents may nominate other cattlemen, breeders and exhibitors for any of the Character Trait categories. The 202324 Character Trait categories will be announced soon.

BEST participants are encouraged to apply for the youth committee positions on the BEST committee.

BEST Jr. Representatives serve a twoyear term and are selected through an application and interview process. Jr. Representative applications are due April 1 and interviews will be held in the spring leading up to the BEST banquet. Jr. Representatives are recognized as leaders and role models of the program and will represent participants’ interests at meetings, promote the program and serve as an emcee for the awards banquet.

Saddle & Sirloin Spectacular COMMUNITY SERVICE Dec. 29 - 31 | Circleville The OCA BEST Program is teaming up with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC) for the 2023-24 BEST Scarlet & Gray Midwest Showdown community service project. RMHC’s Jan. 5 - 7 | Columbus mission is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families.

BEST participants will be Clark County Cattle Battle Jan. 26 - 28 | Springfield encouraged to collect pop tabs throughout the season and turn them in at the BEST banquet in May. All money raised will be donated to RMHC. DTS Cupid Classic In addition to the pop tabs Feb. 9 - 11 | Circleville collection, the popular Celebrity Showdown will take place this year on January 26, 2024, in Springfield.

Participants will raise at least $100 to participate and parade their animal Holmes County Preview March 1 - 3 | Millersburg and costume around the ring for a special celebrity judge.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION The BEST banquet will be held at the end of the season and will Mardi Gras Masquerade recognize participant’s achievements March 15 - 17| Columbus in all the above-mentioned areas.

Over $150,000 worth of prizes, giveaways, scholarships, etc. will be awarded.

BEST Banquet Each year, one lucky BEST May 4 participant is also awarded a year’s use of a livestock trailer donated by M.H. EBY. For more information The Novice Division of BEST regarding the BEST program includes first through third year visit www.ohiocattle.org or participants. All Novice exhibitors the OCA BEST Program will have an entry into their own drawing for a show box donated by Facebook Page.

Weaver Livestock Leather, for every animal they showed at each show throughout the season.

2023-24 Schedule

Winter 2024 | Ohio Cattleman | 23

OCA NEWS

OCA HOSTS SUCCESSFUL REPLACEMENT FEMALE SALE The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) held their 11th annual Replacement Female Sale on Nov 24 at the Muskingum Livestock Auction Company in Zanesville, Ohio. A large crowd was on hand to bid on 113 high quality females in the sale. The sale represented an excellent opportunity for cow-calf producers to add quality females with documented breeding and health records to their herds.

Buyers evaluated 113 lots of bred heifers, bred cows, and cow-calf pairs at the auction. The sale included 80 lots of bred heifers that averaged $2,555, 4 cowcalf pairs averaged $3,475, and 29 lots of bred cows that averaged $2,006. The 113 total lots grossed $276,500 for an overall average of $2,447. The females sold to buyers from Ohio and West Virginia. Col. Ron Kreis served as the auctioneer.

Sales prices were higher year over year and the cattle were of high quality, as the 2023 sale represented a $250 per head price increase over the 2022 sale. Demand

was very strong for quality females as 54 lots sold for at least $2,500 and 26 of those sold for $3,000 or greater.

1840 Angus Farm of Homerville, Ohio, for the second year in a row, consigned the top selling cows. The Lots 4 and 5 registered Angus cows were sold to Robert Deitrick of Zanesville, Ohio for $2,600 each. 1840 Angus Farm, Kohli Farms and Erv-N-Del farms sold a total of five cows for $2,500 each.

Atterholt Farms of Jeromesville, Ohio sold the Lots 15 and 16 purebred Angus cows with Angus sired calves at side for $3,950 to Gary Frame of Quaker City, Ohio.

LePage Cattle Ltd. of Coshocton, Ohio consigned the top selling bred heifers.

The Lots 57 and 58 registered Red Angus heifers sold to Zach Pickerel of Gibsonburg, Ohio for $3,900 each. The second highest selling bred heifer sold at $3,700. Maplecrest Farms of Hillsboro,

Ohio sold the Lot 62 registered Angus female to Wade Hatfield of Adamsville, Ohio. Crum Cattle Company sold the third highest selling bred heifer, the Lot 24 purebred Simmental heifer to Jacob Lindimore of McConnelsville, Ohio at $3,600.

As in past years, the sale truly was an excellent opportunity for both buyers and sellers. Buyers were able to improve their herds by adding high quality females with known genetic and health backgrounds.

Sellers were able to capitalize on increased prices for breeding cattle.

Contact Garth Ruff at (740) 651-7140, ruff.72@osu.edu or visit www.ohiocattle.org for more information about the sale.

SUPPORT THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THE BEEF INDUSTRY The Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation’s (OCF) mission is to advance the future of Ohio’s beef industry. Foundation donors help invest in industry specific educational programs, leadership development efforts and scholarships for beef industry youth.

These help to build a bright future for Ohio’s beef industry while preserving valued traditions and a way of life.

OCF is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, public charity and is governed by a board of trustees with Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) leadership experience.

Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law and support the mission and programs of the Foundation.

Financial support for the Foundation comes from individual donors, agricultural organizations and corporations/ foundations.

OCF maintains a family of scholarship endowments. All scholarships recognize 24 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

beef industry youth for academic effort, community service, and career interests that utilize agriculture to enhance our quality of life through service, education or research.

Have you seen a beef license plate on the road? These plates are part of the Tagged for Greatness scholarship program solely funded by sales of Ohio’s beef license plates. To date, nearly $67,000 has been awarded to deserving youth, through the beef tag program. To support the Tagged for Greatness fund, purchase your beef plate at your local BMV or online at www.oplates.com. Beef license plates are also available for commercial farm trucks.

Achieving excellence in education through OCF sponsored programs helps the beef industry to develop leaders for the future. Some of the programs currently sponsored by OCF are the Ohio Young Cattlemen’s Conference, the

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Young Cattlemen’s Conference, Beef 509 Marketing Quality and Consistent Beef held in conjunction with the Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences & OSU Extension, the Ohio State Fair Commercial Cattle Carcass Contest, the Ohio 4-H Foundation and the Ohio FFA Foundation, and various other youth activities.

To support OCF, donate online at ohiocattle.org or by mailing a check to the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation at 10600 U.S. Hwy 42, Marysville, Ohio 43030.

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BREED NEWS HEREFORD OHIO BEEF EXPO BULL GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR BUCKEYE HEREFORD SPRING SALE

For the second year the Buckeye Hereford Association will be awarding bull grants to qualified cattlemen.

These grants are to be used toward the purchase of Hereford bulls at the 81st Annual Buckeye Hereford Spring Sale.

The Buckeye Hereford Association has two grants available for this coming year of $1,000 each. If you are not a Hereford breeder but are interested in maximizing heterosis and profit in your herd this program is for you!!

In 2021 Buckeye Hereford members Bill and Bobbi Dunn of Dunn Herefords donated a heifer that was sold in the Buckeye Hereford Spring Show & Sale at the Ohio Beef Expo. The proceeds from that heifer were set aside to be used to promote Herefords on crossbred cattle. In 2022 Bill Dunn and the Buckeye Board decided to start awarding bull grants to breeders looking to use Hereford bulls purchased through the Buckeye Spring Sale. This year the first $1,000 grant was awarded at the 80th Buckeye Hereford Spring Sale at the Ohio Beef Expo. Victoria Leonard, Double M Hilltop Farm of Steubenville was awarded the grant. She used the grant to purchase LCR 1906 Suzys Kid 2108 from Grandview Herefords of Springfield, Ohio.

Purchasing and using a Hereford bull would also enable you to begin producing calves that would be qualified to sell in Hereford Feeder calf sales where white faced calves receive a substantial premium over sale barn prices. Application form can be accessed through the QR code here or found on the Buckeye Hereford Facebook page. Applications must be received by Jan. 1, 2024.

26 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

FEATURING OUR MEMBERS’ SUCCESS AT THE STATE & NATIONAL LEVEL Event coverage based upon information received and space available

Questions or concerns regarding this program please contact Bill Dunn (814) 724-9343.

OHIO HEREFORD FUTURITY HELD IN HONOR OF STEVE BEANBLOSSOM

On Sunday Sept. 24, Hereford breeders gathered at the Fayette Co. Fairgrounds in Washington Court House, Ohio for the Ohio Hereford Futurity show. This year’s event was held in memory of the late Steve Beanblossom. Dr. Tom Turner of Somerset, Ohio judged the event.

Grand Champion Heifer was UHF 10B Reagan U10K a May 2022 heifer sired by GVF 11X Powerstroke 10B, bred and owned by Ralph E. Ullman & Son, Graysville, Ohio.

Reserve Champion Heifer HFJ American Honey L01 a February 2023 heifer sired by T/R BPF American Classic 516CET, bred and owned by Jacob Wiechart, Fort Jennings, Ohio.

Grand Champion Bull UHF 10B Powerhouse U06L an April 2023 bull sired by GVF 11X Powerstroke 10B, bred and owned by Ralph E. Ullman & Son, Graysville, Ohio.

Reserve Champion Bull RCSC Kingpin was a January 2022 bull sired

by CH High Roller 756 ET bred by Delaney Chester, Oregonia, Ohio and owned by Blubaugh Cattle Co., Danville, Ohio.

Grand Champion Prospect Steer was Creek OnPt 502 Topcut 307L bred and owned by McKenna Baney, Creek Bottom Farms, Navarre, Ohio.

Reserve Champion Prospect Steer MMF Sensational Axel 303 was bred and owned by Jalyn Eddy, Merry Meadows Farm, Jewett, Ohio.

Grand Champion Cow Calf AGP Clio 73A & AGP JLZ Apple On Tap AZ1 a 2019 cow sired by Perks 0003 Easy Money 4003, bred by Sisters Cattle Co, South Solon, Ohio and owned by JLF Family Farm, McCutcheonville, Ohio.

Reserve Champion Cow Calf was LBK JMK 81E Trixie 4J & LBK JMK 183F Trixies Caitlin a 2021 cow sired

by NJW 160B 028X Historic 81E ET, bred and owned by Jennifer Keets, Keets Herefords, Berlin Heights, Ohio.

Premier Breeder & Premier Exhibitor was Jeff & Jane Johnson Family Creek Bottom Farms, Navarre, Ohio.

AMERICAN ROYAL

The American Royal was held in Kansas City, MO, Oct. 4-22.

The Champion Junior Heifer Calf in the Junior and Open Maine- Anjou show was CAMPBELLCO QUEEN 19A ET exhibited by Whitney Emmerling of South Vienna, Ohio.

In the Open Maine - Anjou show, Candace Muir, Waynesfield, Ohio exhibited the Grand Champion Bull, pictured below.

PRESENTS

BEST Character Trait Awards

Weaver Leather Livestock & the Ohio respect Cattlemen’s Association are dedicated to only the success of young showmen, but determination notcultivating an atmosphere of character. n passio Who will you nominate this BEST season? motivation

nominations are due april 1 at ohiocattle.org/best.

OHIO

Be on the lookout for your 2024 OCA membership renewal email!

ANGUS REPORT NOW ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS!

Make plans now to consign to the Super Star Angus Sale at the Ohio Beef Expo. The entry Deadline is January 10th. Learn more at www.ohioangus.org

OHIO ANGUS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING

Renewal is quick & easy! Visit

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Saturday January 20th at the Der Dutchman Restaurant & Baker. 445 S. Jefferson, US Rout 42 - Plain City, Ohio 43064. RSVP by January 10th. Learn more at www.ohioangus.org Jacy Bapst

Secretary/Fieldman 2404 Bever Pike, Waverly, OH 456901 704-648-6531

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO

Winter 2024 | Ohio Cattleman | 27

BREED NEWS KEYSTONE INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK EXPO

The Keystone International Livestock Expo (KILE) was held in Harrisburg, PA Sept. 29 - Oct. 8.

Ashton Bain, Lynchburg, Ohio won Grand Champion Market Steer.

NORTH AMERICAN INTERATIONAL LIVESTOCK EXPOSITION RESULTS

The North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) took place in Louisville, KY Nov. 2 - 26.

In the Open Charolais Show, Boyert Show Cattle of Seville, Ohio exhibited the Reserve Champion Junior Female Heifer Calf, GOY HL Lilo 350L. Mackenzie Neal from New Lebanon, Ohio was named Champion Senior Female with LJR MS Kari 318K ET and Overall Reserve Grand Champion Female.

Long Hall Cattle of Hillsboro, Ohio exhibited LHC BLU Crush 318 DPS the Champion Spring Charolais Bull Calf.

In the Chianina Junior Show, Raymond Beneker was named Reserve Champion Chianina Summer Heifer with RAYB Sky’s first class 737L. 28 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

FEATURING OUR MEMBERS’ SUCCESS AT THE STATE & NATIONAL LEVEL Event coverage based upon information received and space available

The Champion Chianina Late Junior Heifer Calf, BMW HR ACE 48L ET Margo was exhibited by Luke Jennings from Felicity, Ohio.

Champion Chianina Early Junior Heifer Calf, JSUL Who Dat 3117L ET was exhibited by Karlie Kennedy from Seaman, Ohio.

Emma Yochum, Hillsboro, Ohio showed the Champion Senior Heifer Calf, JSUL Who Dat Sultry 6215D. Kinsley Moore of Oak Harbor, Ohio led BMW HR YNOT 49LET the Champion Late Junior Heifer Calf in the Open and Junior ChiAngus Female Show.

The Reserve Champion Chianina Summer Yearling, BMW Candy 502K ET was exhibited by Carter McCauley from Cambridge, Ohio.

Luke Jennings from Felicity, Ohio was named Reserve Champion Early Spring Yearling with BMW Ace 2 100k in the open show.

In the Chianina Composite show, Champion Chi Composite Early Junior Heifer Calf is WFSC DCC Talk to Me 27L exhibited by Conor Thomas from Urbana, Ohio.

The Reserve Champion Chi Composite Early Junior Heifer Calf was Dust Isabella ET exhibited by Emma Graft from Middletown, Ohio.

The Champion Chi Composite Late Spring Yearling is RDSC Katherine 10K ET exhibited by Raymond Beneker IV from Hamilton, Ohio.

The Reserve Champion Chi Composite Late Spring Yearling is BMW Frye Lucy 402K exhibited by Caleb Bame from Findley, Ohio.

The Champion Chi Composite Senior Yearling is Fen Harley ET exhibited by Owen Fenning from Coldwater, Ohio.

In the Junior Gelbvieh/ Balancer Show, Hailey Cornet from Hillsboro, Ohio exhibited the Division II Champion, 1 OHIO MV Lovely 431L. In the Open Mini Hereford Show, Farm 4 Wiley of Mount Vernon, Ohio exhibited the Champion Summer Senior Heifer, 4 Wiley Cherry on Top as well as the Reserve Champion Summer Senior Heifer with 4 Wiley Cece’s Miracle.

Karissa King, Piqua, Ohio exhibited the Reserve Champion Junior Mini Hereford Bull Calf, HI John.

James Beech of Woodsfield, Ohio led NF BODACIOUS the Reserve Champion Mini Hereford Spring Bull Calf.

The Reserve Champion Mini Hereford Intermediate Senior Bull, T4 Lowrider was shown by Cholee Thomas from Fletcher, Ohio.

In the Mini Hereford Junior Show, Walker Wiley exhibited the Champion Junior Heifer, 4 Wiley Cherry on Top.

Trenton Havenar of Piqua, Ohio exhibited the Champion Junior Steer, El Sam.

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Winter 2024 | Ohio Cattleman | 29

BREED NEWS ELCX Kesha 192K led by DeLah Laber of Hillsboro, Ohio was Divison II Reserve Champion Female in the Junior Limousin show and Division III Chmapion in the Open Limousin Show.

The Division II Reserve Champion in the Open Limousin show was FWLY LHC Prime Candidate shown

by Fawley Farms, Lynchburg, Ohio.

In the Junior Maine Anjou show, Luke Lukowski, Minerva, Ohio showed THUN LLEM Miss Tinsel, Division II Champion Fall Heifer Calf.

Emma Grafft from Middletown, Ohio exhibited Dust Isabella who was named Division II Reserve Champion Junior Heifer Calf in the Open Mainetainer Show.

Owen Fennig, Coldwater, Ohio showed the Division VI Champion Senior Yearling Heifer, FEN Harley 21K in then Open Maintainer Show.

In the Junior Mainetainer Show, Owen Fennig, Coldwater, Ohio exhibited the Division V Champion Senior Yearling Heifer, FEN Harley 21K. In the Junior Shorthorn Show, Kolten Greenhorn from Waynesville, Ohio showed the Late Spring Heifer Calf Champion, GCC Red Diva The Roo 33 ET. Reed Hanes of Greenville, Ohio led the Early Spring Heifer Calf Reserve Champion, CF TRAVELING RUBY 394 EV ET. In the Junior Shorthorn Show, Reed Hanes of Greenville, Ohio led the Early Spring Heifer Calf Reserve Champion, CF TRAVELING RUBY 394 EV ET. Skylar D Ward, New Paris, Ohio exhibited the Junior Heifer Calf Reserve Champion CF MONA LISA 336 UH XET.

30 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

FEATURING OUR MEMBERS’ SUCCESS AT THE STATE & NATIONAL LEVEL Event coverage based upon information received and space available

The Senior Heifer Calf Champion was CF CRYSTAL LUCY 2121 RK X ET, shown by Reed Hanes, Greenville, Ohio.

Kolten Greenhorn, Waynesville, Ohio led the Early Spring Champion, DON RUBY 326 ET and later won Reserve Grand Champion Shorthorn Female and Champion Bred and Owned Shorthorn female.

Bristol Bates, Chandersville, Ohio was named Grand Champion Female in the Jack C. Ragsdale Super National Shorthorn Show with VENN SS.

TURNER SHORTHORNS, RECOGNIZED FOR 20222023 SHOW WINNERS IN THE NORTHEAST REGION.

Tom and Susie owners and operators of Turner Shorthorns, Somerset, Ohio had Shorthorn Show Bull of the Year with TRNR Panzer 172 and ShorthornPlus Show Bull of the Year with TRNR Dropbox 252 leading them to win the Northeast Region.

Regional awards are calculated from regional, super-regional and national shows within each region. The animal must exhibit at 2 of 4 shows to qualify.

Congratulations to Turner Shorthorns on receiving these awards.

In the Junior ShorthornPlus Show, Samantha VanVorhis, Bowling Green, Ohio was named Reserve Junior Champion Female and Reserve Grand Champion Overall ShorthornPlus Female with CF Mona Lisa 238 OP.

Addison J Campbell from Eaton, Ohio exhibited the Reserve Senior Champion ShorthornPlus Female, Crickett.

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BEEF BRIEFS MATTHEW CHANEY JOINS DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCES AS NEW LIVESTOCK EVALUATION COORDINATOR

Matthew Chaney joined the Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University in Sept. of 2023.

Matthew joined the Animal Sciences faculty as a lecturer and Livestock Evaluation Coordinator in charge of coaching the Livestock Judging team.

The Maryland native is a product of the livestock judging programs at both Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and South Dakota State University where he finished his undergraduate studies. Chaney completed his master’s program at North Dakota State University with a focus in lamb marketability.

In addition to his role as head coach, Matthew will teach courses in animal handling and engage in youth programing to recruit prospective students with interest in livestock evaluation.

2023 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY LIVESTOCK JUDGING TEAM FINISHES SEASON

The Livestock Judging Team at the Ohio State University wrapped up the 2023 season at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). Seniors Ryan Michael, Morgan Price, Sarah Belmonte, Ellie Shaw, Dawson Osborn and Stephen 32 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

Parthemore – all Animal Sciences students – left NAILE as the 13th High Team in the senior college competition.

Other notable finishes for the team from the fall include 2nd High Team overall (1st in placings, 2nd in reasons) at the Purdue Boilermaker Classic, 3rd High Team (High Team in swine) at the Keystone International Livestock Exposition, and 12th High Team overall at the American Royal.

NEW COLLABORATION INCREASES OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FOOD, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES ENROLLMENT

More students are pursuing agricultural-related majors at CFAES this year thanks to a new initiative committed to increasing interest in and enrollment of students interested in studying agriculture at Ohio State.

The Buckeye Agricultural Leaders Pathways (BALP) program aims to increase undergraduate CFAES enrollment by prioritizing early admission and scholarship notification and by making sure there is additional consideration in the application review of experiences and leadership opportunities afforded to students participating in FFA and Ohio 4-H youth development, as well as skills acquired in farming experiences, said Jill Hampshire,

CFAES director of undergraduate recruitment and enrollment.

The university’s Office of Strategic Enrollment Management collaborated with CFAES to implement BALP last year with a goal to increase interest in agricultural-focused majors, many of which connect directly to STEM and foster a passion for science and technology, she said. Admitted students received enhanced communication from both the college and its departments and were invited to participate in robust visit opportunities showcasing the amazing hands-on learning that takes place in CFAES classrooms and its Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory.

BEEF 509 TO BE HELD FEB. 23 - 24 IN NEW FORMAT

The 2024 edition of BEEF 509 will have a new format with only one session, Friday afternoon 3 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

BEEF 509 is an educational program designed to teach cattle producers about the food side of their business and how to utilize best management practices to improve beef quality and enhance profitability while learning about value within the beef chain.

The program will be held a the OSU Animal Sciences Building located at 2029 Fyffe Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210. A hotel room block will be secured and participants are encouraged to stay over Friday evening.

Registration and additional information are available at ohiocattle. org or by calling 614-873-6736 or email at cattle@ohiocattle.org. The registration deadline is Jan. 3, 2024.

CALENDAR

of

EVENTS DECEMBER 29-31 OCA BEST Show - Saddle & Sirloin Spectacular, Columbus 30 OCA Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet Registration Deadline

JANUARY 5-7

OCA BEST Show - Scarlet & Gray Midwest Showdown, Columbus 13 OCA Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet 15 Ohio State Fair DNA Due 20 Oesterling Angus 19th Annual Production Sale, Batesville, IN 26 OCA BEST Show Celebrity Showdown, Springfield 26-28 OCA BEST Show Clark County Cattle Battle, Springfield 31 Ohio Cattleman Expo Issue Advertising Deadline 31 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show, Orlando

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OCA BEST Show Holmes County Preview, Millersburg 14-17 Ohio Beef Expo, Columbus 25 Maplecrest Farms Performance Bull Sale, Hillsboro

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Winter 2024 | Ohio Cattleman | 33

PARTING SHOTS OCA held its first Traveling Ohio meeting in Belmont, Ohio providing cattlemen and women information on current policy issues, recent checkoff investments, and guest speaker Alvaro Garcia Guerra, Assistant Professor of Animal Science at The Ohio State University spoke on how to improve reproductive management through timed artificial insemination.

Jamie Graham, R & C Packing Inc., Director Lydia Mihalik, Ohio Department of Development and OCA Director, Elizabeth Harsh recently met in Bidwell, Ohio to discuss packing plants and the need for expansion over the next several years.

Staff members Luke McKee, Hannah Weymouth , and Tiffany Arnett attended new staff orientation at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Denver, CO where they learned about the Beef Checkoff and it’s history.

OCA board member and live cattle marketing committee chair, Mark Goecke, right, cattle feeder from Allen County, Pat Lampert, left, Director of Livestock for Nexus Marketing and OCA Executive Director Elizabeth Harsh traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) staff to discuss quality grading inconsistencies at the Plainwell, MI livestock processing plant.

34 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter 2024

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Winter 2024 | Ohio Cattleman | 35

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