The Best of the Buckeye Program, hosted by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association in conjunction with the Ohio Beef Expo and the Ohio State Fair, is gearing up for its sixth season.

The Best of the Buckeye program recognizes top-placing Ohio bred, born and registered calves, along with the breeder and exhibitor, in each breed division at the two shows.

Sponsors have made it possible for $45,000 to be given through premiums at each show, and in awards for both participants and breeders. This year’s sponsoring partners include: The Folks Creative Printers and Dickson Cattle Co., heifer division; Jones Show Cattle and R.D. Jones Excavating, steer division; and Sullivan Supply and Stock Show University, breeder recognition.

This program provides Ohio seedstock breeders an additional marketing opportunity and creates a source for moderately priced show steers and heifers. Each year, the benefit of added premiums attracts new participants interested in showing at the Ohio Beef Expo and the Ohio State Fair. Breeders are encouraged to use the Best of the Buckeye logo for use in print and digital promotion of Best of the Buckeye-eligible cattle. The logo may be downloaded from the website at ohiocattle.org or requested by email at [email protected].

Online nominations
New for 2019, all award nominations will take place through an online form that can be found at ohiocattle.org. To participate in Best of the Buckeye, breeders must complete the online nomination (each form can be used to nominate up to 10 animals from the same breeder) and sign an affidavit verifying Best of the Buckeye eligibility. The breeder or the exhibitor may submit the nominations and fee for the Best of the Buckeye nominations. If the exhibitor is also the breeder of the animal, only the online breeder nomination form must be submitted.

Cattle that are nominated prior to the Ohio Beef Expo by March 1, and prior to the Ohio State Fair by June 20, will incur a $25-per-head nomination fee per show. Cattle may be nominated for both shows by March 1 at a rate of $40 per head. Breeders will have the opportunity to nominate cattle through check-in at the Ohio Beef Expo and at the Ohio State Fair at an increased late nomination fee of $75 per head. Animals nominated for Best of the Buckeye will also need to be entered in the Ohio Beef Expo and Ohio State Fair junior shows.

For the second year, the breeder recognition category will highlight breeders who participate in the Best of the Buckeye program. All nominating breeders will be recognized on the ohiocattle.org website and will also be recognized for the honors they achieve with the cattle they sell and nominate for the program. The breeder recognition reception is Aug. 24, in conjunction with the Ohio Cattlemen’s Gala. This category is sponsored by Sullivan Supply and Stock Show University.

Eligibility
For cattle to be eligible for the Best of the Buckeye program, they must be registered and bred by an Ohio cattleman. ET (embryo transfer) calves and calves out of purchased bred cows are eligible if they list an Ohio cattleman as the breeder. Breeders and exhibitors must be OCA members and in good standing with OCA to be eligible. Exhibitors must be Ohio residents and meet the age requirements for the Ohio Beef Expo and Ohio State Fair junior shows. The heifer division is sponsored by The Folks Printing and Dickson Cattle Co., and the steer division is sponsored by Jones Show Cattle and R.D. Jones Excavating.

Best of the Buckeye exhibitor rules, last year’s show results and additional nomination details are available at the OCA's 2018 results or by contacting the OCA office. For more information, contact the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association at 614-873-6736 or email [email protected].

Source: OCA, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.