The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association awarded the Vollborn family of Bidwell as the Commercial Producer of the Year Award at the OCA awards banquet Jan. 21 at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center. It also handed out five other prestigious awards.

OCA and Farm and Dairy jointly sponsored the award to recognize Ohio’s top commercial beef operation. A video, sponsored by Gallia County Cattlemen’s Association, played during the awards program to highlight the Vollborn family.

The Vollborns manage a multi-generational farm, which started out as a small family operation and has now evolved into multiple operations. Established in the 1850s, the farm is owned and operated by Fred, Ed and Ray Vollborn. The second operation is Vollborn Cattle Co. that involves Fred’s son  Luke, mother Linda and sister Lisa Jo Blakeman. Vollborn Farms is primarily a commercial operation dealing mainly with feeder calves and replacement females. Vollborn Cattle focuses more on purebred-registered Charolais and Angus cattle. Luke’s goal is to try and raise great mother cows that excel in show rings, as well as the pasture, and to continue to grow the business for many generations to come.

Seedstock Producer of the Year
Claylick Run Angus Genetics of Newark was awarded the Seedstock Producer of the Year Award, which was jointly sponsored by OCA and Farm World. The video was sponsored by Granville Milling Co. and Purina Animal Nutrition. Claylick Run Angus Genetics is owned and operated by Dave Felumlee, his wife Dawn, daughter Keri and son Kacey. Dave was raised on a dairy farm, but decided to transition to Angus cattle for his own operation. Thirty years later, Claylick Run emphasizes quality genetics and performance in their herd. Dave sells purebred bulls and heifers to seedstock producers, as well as commercial producers throughoutOhio and the eastern United States.

Environmental Stewardship Award
Duane and Pat Hord, owners of Hord Family Farms near Bucyrus, earned the Environmental Stewardship Award, which was jointly sponsored by OCA and In Ohio Country Today. The video was sponsored by Crawford County Cattlemen’s Association. Hord Family Farms represents fifth- and sixth-generation row-crop farmers, swine producers and cattle feeders. Hord Family Farms prides themselves on their mission of core values to be efficient and environmentally sound agricultural stewards. Through row crop farming and their commercial feedlot operation, it is their goal to make the best possible nutrient situation for the plants raised, forages for the cattle, and crops for all divisions.

Young Cattleman of the Year
J.L. Draganic of South Solon, earned the Young Cattleman of the Year Award, jointly sponsored by OCA and the Ohio Farmer. The video was sponsored by Fayette County Cattle Feeders. J.L. and his wife Jessica have two children, and partner with his aunt Jo and uncle Gene Baumgardner of Ricketts Farm Inc. J.L. is the herd manager of a small cow herd of about 40 Angus based cattle, with some Simmental influence. After winning the Environment Stewardship award in 2012, he has been successful in keeping the farm as environmentally sound as possible by utilizing rotational grazing, keeping cows out of the waterway, and using cover crops as a part of their operation’s grazing system. J.L. serves on the OCA board of directors as director at-large and is co-chairman on the Ohio Beef Expo Planning Committee.

Beef Industry Service Award
Stan Smith was awarded the Beef Industry Service Award, which is jointly sponsored by OCA and Ohio’s Country Journal. The video was sponsored by Feeder Creek Veterinary Services. Smith’s interest in cattle began when he was young on his family farm in Canal Winchester where he continues to live today. Stan has worked for OSE Extension in Fairfield County and has been a member of the OSU Beef Team for almost 30 years. Throughout his time with Extension and the OSU Beef Team, Smith coordinated a weekly newsletter providing information about latest research and updates in the beef industry to beef producers across the state. This past summer, the newsletter boasted its 1,000th  edition and has over 2,000 subscribers across the country. Smith was also a part of the OCA board of Directors that took the initiative to ask for a second dollar on the beef checkoff. 

Industry Excellence Award
Tom and Susie Turner of Somerset, garnered the Industry Excellence Award, jointly sponsored by OCA and Brownfield Ag News. The video was sponsored by the Ohio Shorthorn Breeders’ Association. Throughout Tom’s life, he has always been involved in the beef industry one way or another. During his professional career, he coached the Livestock Judging Team at OSU for more than 30 years, served on the board of directors and as president of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association.

Source: OCA