The 35th Ohio Beef Expo was held at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. The Expo, hosted by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA), is the premier event for Ohio’s cattle industry and includes seedstock shows and sales, a trade show, a competitive junior show and much more all in one place.
“This year’s Expo featured nine breed sales, a sold-out trade show with over 150 vendors, youth education opportunities and a record-setting junior show,” said Shane Riley, Expo chairman. “The Expo’s anniversary also provided the opportunity to recognize the breeders and trade show exhibitors who have been involved for all 35 years, as well as the first Expo leaders who were instrumental in creating the event.”
The Expo kicked off Thursday with the opening of the trade show. The Expo’s Social, sponsored by ShowRite Feeds, was held Thursday evening where producers and trade show exhibitors gathered to socialize and enjoy live music by Lane Manning and Joe Mansion of The Northern Burnouts and participate in OCA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) auction where over $9,000 was raised.
In addition to the Murray Grey show, five breeds hosted shows or parades on Friday. The Genetic Pathway, located in the Show Coat Solutions Breeds Barn, showcased the industry’s most popular sires and donor prospects on display throughout the weekend.
To celebrate the Expo’s 35th anniversary a reception and special recognition was held on Friday. OCA President Tom Karr of Meigs County served as emcee for the program that featured comments from Brian Baldridge, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The following companies, breeders and individuals were recognized as 35-year participants:
- Ag Net Communications – Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net
- ADM Animal Nutrition
- COBA/Select Sires, Inc.
- Genex
- Purina Animal Nutrition
- White’s Show Supply
- Zoetis Animal Health
- Byland Shorthorns, Ashland County
- Fawley Farms – Kelly Hall, Highland County
- Maple Valley Farm, Highland County
- Rains Angus, Pennsylvania
- John Regula
Friday was also host to the annual online Feeder Cattle Sale hosted by United Producers Inc. that offered consignments of uniform packages of feeder cattle sold off the farm.
The Judging contest, coordinated with the Ohio State University, had nearly 550 youth participants that judged six classes of cattle, answered questions and evaluated breed data sheets. In the Junior Division the Top Team was Wood County Jr A consisting of team members Jocelyn Belleville, Claire Lampe, Ella Patterson and Gavin Richards. The top junior individual was Audrey Hoffman of Ashland County. In the Senior Division the Top Team was Wood County Sr A consisting of team members Grant Belleville, Riley Burtchin, Sally Nietz and Lexi Perry. The top senior individual was Carly Sanders of Highland County,
The nine breed sales with a combined total of 331 live lots sold at an average of $3,739 and a total gross sales of $1,237,600.
The Junior Show set a record for the second straight year with over 950 entries. Showmanship was held Friday followed by the Market Animal show on Saturday and the Heifer show on Sunday. Junior Showmanship was judged by Darla and Kane Aegerter, IL, Market Animals were evaluated by Shane Meier, TX., and the Heifer show judge was Jason Hoffman, NE.
The annual Friend of the Expo Awards were presented to Jenna Watson and Ben Butcher of Ag-Pro and Doug and Debbie Parke of DP Sales Management for their many contributions to the Expo’s success over the years.
Additionally, the Expo’s official apparel provider, Saltwell Western Store, owned by Sally & Kay Puzacke, presented Expo scholarships to Delaney Moore of Fairfield County and Caroline Winter of Pickaway County.
Sale and show results will be available soon at www.ohiobeefexpo.com along with a complete list of the event’s sponsors. The dates for the 2024 Ohio Beef Expo are March 14-17.
Categories: Ohio, Livestock, Beef Cattle