The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association hosted more than 30,000 participants and attendees at the Ohio Beef Expo in Columbus, March 18-20.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 tradeshow, cattle sales and educational events.

The Expo kicked off with a trade show featuring 140 vendors from 15 states and a nutrition seminar sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition and Zoetis. This year’s trade show broke the event’s record in number of exhibitors. Armstrong Ag was selected as the premier large booth exhibitor; and K Buildings was selected as the premier small booth exhibitor.

Ohio Beef Expo Posts New Records for Event

Four breed shows and one breed parade were featured Friday, as well as numerous breed displays representing the Angus, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Maine-Anjou, Miniature Hereford, Murray Grey, Simmental and Shorthorn breeds. The Genetic Pathway, located in the breed’s barn, had the industry’s most popular sires and donor prospects on display throughout the weekend.

Five breed sales brought in large crowds on Saturday, March 19, selling 297 lots with an average price of $3,200 and a gross of $950,675.

Three recipients were honored with the Friend of the Expo Award for their contribution to the Expo’s annual success. Lou Ellen Harr; M.H. Eby and Bill Sexten were all honored.  Harr, Jeromesville, has been actively involved in the Expo since 1989, including bringing cattle to the Hereford sale. M.H. Eby, West Jefferson, is a family owned business specializing in grain and livestock trailer who has attended many Expos as an exhibitor in the trade show and a sponsor of various events. Bill Sexten, Washington Court House, has held many roles with OCA and the Ohio Beef Expo. These include OCA President, chairman of the Ohio Beef Council, Regional Vice President of NCBA, junior show committee member and Vice Chair of the Expo.

For junior exhibitors, Friday afternoon began with two fitting and clipping demonstrations and a welcome party. Events continued Saturday with 318 youth participating in the judging contest and 450 exhibitors in the showmanship competition, sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America. The stands were full in Enviroscapes Arena for the Beef Quality Assurance training. The junior portion wrapped up Sunday with the market animal show and heifer show with a combined total of 829 head from across the state.

During the event, OCA volunteers signed up and renewed more than 250 memberships including NCBA memberships. Any current or new OCA member had the opportunity to win some great prizes. Chris Diehl, Rootstown, won a VetGun dontated by AgriLabs. J&J Steakbarn, owned by Jim and Jackie Murray, gave away a $100 gift card won by Bryan Tussing. Members joining at the Ohio Beef Expo also received discounted offerings on Heritage Cooperative’s Cattlemen’s Edge Program.

The OCA County Affiliate of Williams County Beef Producers won the County Affiliate Recruitment Contest drawing and received their choice of a grill, set of Tru-Test Scales or an equal amount toward National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention registration, sponsored by the Ohio Corn Marketing Program.

The dates for the 2017 Ohio Beef Expo are March 17-19. Visit www.ohiobeefexpo.com for more information as well as complete coverage of the 2016 event.