Ohio’s premier beef industry event, the Ohio Beef Expo, will be held March 19–22, 2026, at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. The Expo brings together cattle enthusiasts from across Ohio and surrounding states for a unique experience that combines education, breed sales, youth shows, industry retail opportunities and more — all in one location.
This year’s schedule will closely resemble the 2025 event. The Coliseum will host all junior show activities, with the Junior Show continuing to feature the Market Animal Show on Saturday and the Heifer Show on Sunday. Two rings will be utilized: one as the main junior show ring and the second for the Buckeye Breeder Series (BBS) show.
Seven breeds will host sales throughout the Expo on both Friday and Saturday.
The Expo Trade Show will again feature a wide variety of vendors and retailers, offering attendees the opportunity to purchase everything from semen and show supplies to trailers and insurance. The Trade Show will open Thursday, March 19, at 12 p.m. and continue throughout the weekend in the Voinovich Building.
At 5:30 on Thursday, March 19 all exhibitors and OCA members are invited to attend the Social at the Ohio Beef Expo near the sale ring in the Voinovich building.The Social includes light appetizers, Ohio wines, a PAC auction and live music by acoustic duo Dalton and Delaney. National Roper Supply (NRS) has also generously donated a premium pair of boots for both men and women. A special drawing of OCA members in attendance will be held to determine the winners of the boots.
The Genetic Pathway will provide buyers access to semen from some of the nation’s leading cattle genetics, further enhancing marketing and purchasing opportunities for producers.
Due to ongoing construction at the Ohio Expo Center, some traffic and parking challenges are expected. The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) staff and volunteers are working closely with Expo Center officials to minimize disruptions and ensure a smooth experience for all exhibitors and attendees. Participants are encouraged to monitor OCA’s Facebook page and ohiobeefexpo.com for traffic updates and event information.
2026 Ohio Beef Expo Schedule
Tuesday, March 17
No cattle permitted on the fairgrounds before
7:30 a.m. All Day – Early Move-in Opportunity for Trade Show, Breeds & Junior Show Cattle
Wednesday, March 18
12–5 p.m. – Trade Show Large Equipment Move-in
Arrival deadline for all breeds selling Friday, March 20
Thursday, March 19
8–9 a.m. – Judging Contest Check-in & Packet Pick-up, Coliseum
8 a.m.–12 p.m. – Trade Show Set-up 9 a.m. – Breeds Check-in Begins, Breeds Building
10 a.m. – Judging Contest Begins, Coliseum
10 a.m. – Arrival deadline for breeds selling Saturday, March 21
12–6 p.m. – Trade Show Open, Voinovich Building
2 p.m. – First Defense, Cattlemen’s Learning Center, Voinovich
2:30 p.m. – Judging Contest Awards, Coliseum
4–8 p.m. – Junior Show Check-in, Gilligan Complex
5:30 p.m. – The Social, Ohio Expo Center
Friday, March 20
8–11 a.m. – Junior Show Check-in, Gilligan Complex
8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. – Trade Show Open, Voinovich Building
9 a.m. – Mini Hereford Show, Cooper Arena
9:30 a.m. – Youth Beef Quality Assurance, Coliseum
10 a.m. – LiveAg Online Feeder Cattle Sale, Sponsored by United Producers, Inc., Voinovich Building
10 a.m.–5 p.m. – Genetic Pathway Open, Breeds Building
11 a.m. – Junior Showmanship, Coliseum (2 Rings)
11:30 a.m. – Shorthorn Parade, Cooper Arena
12:30 p.m. – Hereford Parade, Cooper Arena
1 p.m. – Murray Grey Show, Breeds Building
2 p.m. – Angus Parade, Cooper Arena
4 p.m. – Aberdeen Angus Sale, Voinovich Building
4:30–5:30 p.m. – Cowboy Happy Hour, Voinovich Building
5 p.m. – Shorthorn Sale, Voinovich Building
5–6 p.m. – Junior Show Check-in, Gilligan Complex
Saturday, March 21
8 a.m.–5 p.m. – Junior Market Animal & BBS Show, Coliseum
8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. – Trade Show Open, Voinovich Building
9 a.m. – Mini Herefords Sale, Voinovich Building
10 a.m. – Hereford Sale, Voinovich Building
10–11 a.m. – Junior Show Check-in (Heifers Only), Gilligan Complex
10 a.m.–5 p.m. – Genetic Pathway Open, Breeds Building
11:30 a.m. – Simmental Sale, Voinovich Building
2 p.m. – Angus Sale, Voinovich Building
3:30 p.m. – Maine Anjou Sale, Voinovich Building
4–5 p.m. – Cowboy Happy Hour, Voinovich Building
6 p.m. deadline – Junior Show Check-in for Expo Sale Heifers, Gilligan Complex
Sunday, March 22
8 a.m.–5 p.m. – Junior Heifer Show & BBS Show, Coliseum
8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. – Trade Show Open, Voinovich Building
The official Expo hotel is the Hilton Columbus/Polaris, located at 8700 Lyra Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43240.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. The Beef Expo Planning Committee encourages individuals, breeders and cattle-related businesses to consider supporting the event. Recognition opportunities are extensive. More information is available at ohiobeefexpo.com.
Admission to the Ohio Beef Expo is free. Parking is $7 per day, and four-day parking passes are available for $20.
For more information about the 2026 Ohio Beef Expo, contact the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association at [email protected], call 614-873-6736, or visit ohiobeefexpo.com.
Posted: February 26, 2026