Local competitors earn awards at 25th annual Beef Expo

More than 30,000 beef industry enthusiasts gathered in Columbus on March 16-18 for the 2012 Ohio Beef Expo. In its 25th year, the Expo is hosted by the Ohio Cattlemen's Association (OCA) and held at the Ohio Expo Center. The Expo provides an annual opportunity for those in the beef industry in Ohio, and across the nation, to learn and enhance their businesses and operations through exhibition and sales. 

The weekend began with Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David T. Daniels addressing exhibitors on Friday during the opening ceremony. Exhibitors who have attended the Ohio Beef Expo since its start in 1988 were recognized for their 25 years of participation. Also in attendance were first Expo chairman Jim Rentz of Coldwater, Ohio, and 1988 OCA president Henry Bergfeld of Summitville, Ohio. Also to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ohio Beef Expo, a Silver Celebration and Social event was hosted for all trade show and cattle exhibitors Thursday evening. Sponsoring the event were Zactran by Merial, Steve R. Rauch Excavation and Demolition, Cargill Right Now Mineral, Trupointe, Boehringer Ingelheim and Fennig Equipment. 

The trade show, opening Friday morning, featured 105 vendors from 15 states. Umbarger Show Feeds was selected as the premier large booth exhibitor; and Kalmbach Feeds was selected as the premier small booth exhibitor. 

Seven breed shows and three breed parades were featured Friday, as well as numerous breed displays. The Genetic Pathway, in the upper hall of the Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center, had the industry's most popular sires and donor prospects on display throughout the weekend. 

The major attraction on Saturday, March 17 was seven breed sales. More than 325 lots were sold with an average price of $3,279 and a gross of $1,065,525. 

Three cattlemen were honored for their loyal support of the Expo with the 2012 Friends of the Ohio Beef Expo Award. The recipients, Steve Rauch of Montgomery County, Gale Long of Preble County and Dave Puthoff of Mercer County, were chosen for their time and dedication in contributing to the success of the Expo. 

For junior exhibitors, Friday afternoon began with educational seminars and a welcome party, followed by the first showmanship competition that evening. Events continued Saturday with beef quality assurance training, a second showmanship contest, and a judging contest that included 275 participants. The junior portion wrapped up Sunday with the market animal show and heifer show with a combined total of more than 630 head from across the state. 

Volunteers were also busy signing up members at the OCA membership booth. During the event, OCA signed up and renewed more than 200 memberships including NCBA memberships. Any current or new OCA member who stopped by the booth had the opportunity to sign up for some great prizes. J&J Steakbarn, owned by Jim and Jackie Murray, gave away a $100 J&J Steakbarn gift card, won by Scott and Sasha Rittenhouse of Clark County. George Clayton provided a weekend stay in his Hocking Hills cabin, won by Jay Dinnen of Greene County. Phillip Michell, Logan, Ohio, won a $100 gift card to Cabelas. Additional incentives for new members were provided by Novartis. 

Also supporting the OCA membership drive was the Ohio Corn Marketing Association who sponsored the OCA County Recruitment Contest for 2012. County Affiliates who completed their membership goals for the year were entered into a drawing for their choice of a new five-foot stainless steel grill or a set of Tru-Test scales, won by Miami County Cattlemen's Association. 

Junior showmen competed in two showmanship contests at the 2012 Ohio Beef Expo, held in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17. The competitions featured four age divisions. Awards for the two competitions totaled more than $5,000 and were sponsored by Green Oak Farms. Friday’s competition was judged by Patrick and Sara Kober of Indiana, with more than 125 participants. Chan and Tonya Phillips of Kentucky judged Saturday’s competition which included more than 280 participants. 

Taking top honors in Friday’s junior division included Hope Tira of Highland County in tenth place.

Taking top honors in Friday’s beginner division included Dalton Black – Adams County, Larkyn Parry - Highland County and Katelyn Cowdrey- Brown County.

Taking top honors in Saturday’s senior division included the following local participants: first, Lauren Grimes – Highland County; second, Cameron Alexander – Clinton County; sixth, Marissa Vearil – Brown County; and ninth, Dara Howser – Brown County.

Taking top honors in Saturday’s junior division included: fourth, Madison Jones – Brown County; fifth, Lydia Dance – Highland County; seventh, Jacob Jones – Brown County.

Taking top honors in Saturday’s beginner division included: second, Dalton Black – Adams County; third, Darcy Howser – Brown County; fifth, Larkyn Parry – Highland County; and tenth, Fulton Kennedy – Adams County.

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) Junior Show was held Sunday, March 18.. The annual show spotlighted more than 630 steers and heifers. Mathew Lewis from Iliff, Colo., evaluated the breeding heifers while Dan Shike, Sadorus, Ill., assessed the market animals. Platinum sponsors of the event included: Fayette County Cattle Feeders, Garwood Cattle Company, Green Oak Farms, Ferguson Show Cattle and Jones Show Cattle. The champions of the event were as follows: Breeding Heifers: Champion Angus, Lydia Dance – Highland County and Champion Percentage Simmental, Molly Greenawalt – Highland County.

The dates for the 2013 Ohio Beef Expo are March 15-17. Visit www.ohiobeefexpo.com for more information as well as complete coverage of the 2012 event. 

The OCA is an affiliate of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and is the state's spokesperson and issues manager for all segments of the beef cattle industry including cattle breeders, producers and feeders.  

It is the grass roots policy development organization for the beef business. Through the OCA, cattle producers work to create a positive business environment, while providing consumers with a safe and wholesome product. 

More than 30,000 beef industry enthusiasts gathered in Columbus on March 16-18 for the 2012 Ohio Beef Expo. In its 25th year, the Expo is hosted by the Ohio Cattlemen's Association (OCA) and held at the Ohio Expo Center. The Expo provides an annual opportunity for those in the beef industry in Ohio, and across the nation, to learn and enhance their businesses and operations through exhibition and sales. 

The weekend began with Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David T. Daniels addressing exhibitors on Friday during the opening ceremony. Exhibitors who have attended the Ohio Beef Expo since its start in 1988 were recognized for their 25 years of participation. Also in attendance were first Expo chairman Jim Rentz of Coldwater, Ohio, and 1988 OCA president Henry Bergfeld of Summitville, Ohio. Also to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ohio Beef Expo, a Silver Celebration and Social event was hosted for all trade show and cattle exhibitors Thursday evening. Sponsoring the event were Zactran by Merial, Steve R. Rauch Excavation and Demolition, Cargill Right Now Mineral, Trupointe, Boehringer Ingelheim and Fennig Equipment. 

The trade show, opening Friday morning, featured 105 vendors from 15 states. Umbarger Show Feeds was selected as the premier large booth exhibitor; and Kalmbach Feeds was selected as the premier small booth exhibitor. 

Seven breed shows and three breed parades were featured Friday, as well as numerous breed displays. The Genetic Pathway, in the upper hall of the Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center, had the industry's most popular sires and donor prospects on display throughout the weekend. 

The major attraction on Saturday, March 17 was seven breed sales. More than 325 lots were sold with an average price of $3,279 and a gross of $1,065,525. 

Three cattlemen were honored for their loyal support of the Expo with the 2012 Friends of the Ohio Beef Expo Award. The recipients, Steve Rauch of Montgomery County, Gale Long of Preble County and Dave Puthoff of Mercer County, were chosen for their time and dedication in contributing to the success of the Expo. 

For junior exhibitors, Friday afternoon began with educational seminars and a welcome party, followed by the first showmanship competition that evening. Events continued Saturday with beef quality assurance training, a second showmanship contest, and a judging contest that included 275 participants. The junior portion wrapped up Sunday with the market animal show and heifer show with a combined total of more than 630 head from across the state. 

Volunteers were also busy signing up members at the OCA membership booth. During the event, OCA signed up and renewed more than 200 memberships including NCBA memberships. Any current or new OCA member who stopped by the booth had the opportunity to sign up for some great prizes. J&J Steakbarn, owned by Jim and Jackie Murray, gave away a $100 J&J Steakbarn gift card, won by Scott and Sasha Rittenhouse of Clark County. George Clayton provided a weekend stay in his Hocking Hills cabin, won by Jay Dinnen of Greene County. Phillip Michell, Logan, Ohio, won a $100 gift card to Cabelas. Additional incentives for new members were provided by Novartis. 

Also supporting the OCA membership drive was the Ohio Corn Marketing Associationwho sponsored the OCA County Recruitment Contest for 2012. County Affiliates who completed their membership goals for the year were entered into a drawing for their choice of a new five-foot stainless steel grill or a set of Tru-Test scales, won by Miami County Cattlemen's Association. 

Junior showmen competed in two showmanship contests at the 2012 Ohio Beef Expo, held in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17. The competitions featured four age divisions. Awards for the two competitions totaled more than $5,000 and were sponsored by Green Oak Farms. Friday’s competition was judged by Patrick and Sara Kober of Indiana, with more than 125 participants. Chan and Tonya Phillips of Kentucky judged Saturday’s competition which included more than 280 participants. 

Taking top honors in Friday’s junior division included Hope Tira of Highland County in tenth place.

Taking top honors in Friday’s beginner division included Dalton Black – Adams County, Larkyn Parry - Highland County and Katelyn Cowdrey- Brown County.

Taking top honors in Saturday’s senior division included the following local participants: first, Lauren Grimes – Highland County; second, Cameron Alexander – Clinton County; sixth, Marissa Vearil – Brown County; and ninth, Dara Howser – Brown County.

Taking top honors in Saturday’s junior division included: fourth, Madison Jones – Brown County; fifth, Lydia Dance – Highland County; seventh, Jacob Jones – Brown County.

Taking top honors in Saturday’s beginner division included: second, Dalton Black – Adams County; third, Darcy Howser – Brown County; fifth, Larkyn Parry – Highland County; and tenth, Fulton Kennedy – Adams County.

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) Junior Show was held Sunday, March 18.. The annual show spotlighted more than 630 steers and heifers. Mathew Lewis from Iliff, Colo., evaluated the breeding heifers while Dan Shike, Sadorus, Ill., assessed the market animals. Platinum sponsors of the event included: Fayette County Cattle Feeders, Garwood Cattle Company, Green Oak Farms, Ferguson Show Cattle and Jones Show Cattle. The champions of the event were as follows: Breeding Heifers: Champion Angus, Lydia Dance – Highland County and Champion Percentage Simmental, Molly Greenawalt – Highland County.

The dates for the 2013 Ohio Beef Expo are March 15-17. Visit www.ohiobeefexpo.com for more information as well as complete coverage of the 2012 event. 

The OCA is an affiliate of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and is the state's spokesperson and issues manager for all segments of the beef cattle industry including cattle breeders, producers and feeders.  

It is the grass roots policy development organization for the beef business. Through the OCA, cattle producers work to create a positive business environment, while providing consumers with a safe and wholesome product.