Beef industry enthusiasts gathered in Columbus, Ohio, March 16-18, for the 2018 Ohio Beef Expo. The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) hosted more than 30,000 participants and attendees at the Ohio Expo Center. The Expo provides an annual opportunity for those in the cattle industry in Ohio, and across the nation, to learn and enhance their operations through a three-day trade show, cattle sales, youth events and educational seminars.
The Expo kicked off with a trade show featuring more than 130 vendors from 17 states. Cashman’s Equipment was selected as the premier large booth exhibitor, Weaver Leather Livestock was selected as the premier small booth exhibitor and Lance’s Trailer Sales was selected as the premier outdoor exhibitor. An educational seminar, Accessing Current and Future Cattle Markets, jointly sponsored by AllFlex USA, Inc. and United Producers, Inc. took place on Saturday, March 17.
Five breed shows and two breed parades were featured Friday, as well as numerous breed displays representing the Angus, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Maine-Anjou, Miniature Hereford, Murray Grey, Red Angus, Simmental and Shorthorn breeds. The Genetic Pathway, located in the Showbloom breed’s barn, had the industry’s most popular sires and donor prospects on display throughout the weekend.
Six breed sales brought in large crowds on Saturday, March 17, selling 374 lots with an average price of $2,879 and a gross of $1,197,125.
Two recipients were honored with the Friend of the Expo Award for their contribution to the Expo’s annual success. Linde Sutherly, New Carlisle, and Nancy Snook, Caldwell, were both honored. Sutherly is the owner of Linde’s Livestock Photos and a huge supporter of OCA youth programs. She has been the official Expo photographer since 2014. Snook has been actively involved in the Expo since her family participated in the first Ohio Beef Expo in 1988. Since then, Snook has served on the junior show committee, facilitated the judging contest and most recently taught youth beef quality assurance.
Friday was Youth Day, sponsored by Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. The day began with the judging contest where over 450 youth participated. Nearly 500 youth participated in beef quality assurance training. Junior exhibitors could also take advantage of two fitting and clipping demonstrations and a welcome pizza party. Events continued Saturday with over 500 exhibitors in the showmanship competition, sponsored by Cattle Visions, LLC and ShowBloom. The junior portion wrapped up Sunday with the market animal show and heifer show with a combined total of nearly 900 head from across the state. During the junior show, Natalie Wagner, Brown County, was awarded the $1,000 Saltwell Expo scholarship, funded by the Saltwell Western Store and Ohio Beef Expo.
During the event, OCA volunteers signed up and renewed nearly 200 memberships including NCBA members. Any current or new OCA member had the opportunity to win some great prizes. The OCA County Affiliate of Darke County won the County Affiliate Recruitment Contest drawing and received their choice of a grill or set of Tru-Test Scales sponsored by the Ohio Corn Marketing Program.
A social was hosted for OCA members, volunteers, trade show participants and cattle exhibitors on Thursday, March 15, at the Crowne Plaza North. Sponsoring the event was Boehringer Ingelheim.
A complete list of the event’s sponsors can be found at www.ohiobeefexpo.com. The dates for the 2019 Ohio Beef Expo are March 15-17. Visit www.ohiobeefexpo.com for more information as well as complete coverage of the 2018 event.
Posted: March 21, 2018