The Ohio Beef Expo will celebrate 35 years during the 2023 event March 16-19 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.

The event will provide cattle enthusiasts from across Ohio and surrounding states with a unique experience that brings education, breed sales, youth shows, industry retail opportunities and more together all in one place.

This year’s schedule is similar to the 2022 event. The Coliseum will be used for all junior show activities. The Junior Show will continue with the Market Animal Show on March 18 and the Heifer Show on March 19. A Junior Show stalling will take place online, and viaducts will be reserved for Ohio Cattleman’s Association BEST sponsors. Remaining viaduct bays will be auctioned online in mid-February.

Nine breeds will host sales during the expo on both Friday and Saturday.

The Expo Trade Show will continue to host vendors and retailers of all kinds to provide attendees with the opportunity to purchase everything from semen to trailers and from show supplies to insurance. March 16 will be the opening day for the trade show, beginning at 3 p.m. 

The Genetic Pathway will provide buyers the opportunity to purchase semen from some of the nation’s leading genetics.

The official expo hotel will be the Hilton Columbus/Polaris at 8700 Lyra Drive, Columbus, Ohio. A discounted room rate for Ohio Beef Expo attendees will be offered until Feb. 21. This hotel will be host to The Social, where cattlemen will gather to network and mingle on Thursday evening. 

Admission to the Ohio Beef Expo is free. Parking is $5 per day, and weekend parking passes are $14. 

For more information on the 2023 Ohio Beef Expo, email OCA at [email protected], call 614-873-6736 or visit ohiobeefexpo.com.

Ohio State students receive national project awards

Two Ohio State University students recently received accolades for submissions in the 2022 National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (NACT) Critique and Contest. The contest allows students the opportunity to have their work analyzed by professionals and judged against members across the nation.

In the Design and Layout Division: Logo Design, Mallory Liles, a junior studying agricultural communication from Wapakoneta, received second place with her entry, “InSight Outdoors.”

Kamryn Kreis, a senior studying agricultural communication from Adamsville, received second place in the Photography Division: Photo Series with her entry, “Grand Drive.”

In the Photography Division: People Photo, Kreis received first place with her entry “Game Faces On.” Other categories in the competition include writing, publication, electronic media and public relations.

In addition to participating in the NACT Critique and Contest, Ohio State ACT hosted several events throughout the academic year to promote the agriculture industry and develop members’ skills. The club hosts Farmer’s Share, an event held at The Oval on the Ohio State campus to educate students, faculty and staff about the agriculture industry.

Night for Young Professionals, an event for students to network with industry leaders and grow their professional skills, is also organized by ACT.

To learn more about the agricultural communication major, visit acel.osu.edu or call 614-247-6358.

Apply for Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation scholarships

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation has multiple scholarships available to Ohio students from rural, suburban and urban communities who are pursuing degrees with a connection to the agricultural industry.

Through 14 scholarship funds, nearly 50 awards will be made to deserving students. The deadline to apply online at ofbf.org is March 31.

In addition, many county Farm Bureaus have their own scholarship programs. To view all scholarship opportunities, visit ofbf.org.

For more information about the scholarships that Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation offers, call Kelly Warner at 614-246-8205.