There’s a new nomination procedure for breeders who have cattle being nominated for the Buckeye Breeders Series, which is considered Ohio’s premier bred, born and raised division of the BEST (beef exhibitor show total) program.

For cattle to be eligible for BBS, they must be registered and bred by an Ohio breeder. ET calves and calves out of purchased bred cows are eligible if they list an Ohioan as the breeder.

New for the 2021-22 season, BBS cattle will incur a $25-per-head nomination fee that must be paid by the animal’s first BEST show, in addition to the $60-per-head one-time BEST nomination fee. This $25 fee needs only to be paid one time by either the breeder or the BEST participant.

Cattle may be nominated throughout the BEST season, but all BBS cattle that will be exhibited at the Ohio Beef Expo junior show must be nominated by March 1, 2022. Cattle that are eligible to show for more than one year must pay a new Buckeye Breeders Series nomination each calendar year.

More information about BBS and the link for nominations can be found at ohiocattle.org/best.

Nelson named Farm Bureau senior organization director

Chip Nelson of Circleville has been named senior organization director for Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and will serve members in Fairfield, Hocking, Pickaway and Ross counties.

Nelson began his Ohio Farm Bureau career 26 years ago as an organization director in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties and most recently was director of field and volunteer development with the organization. He received his bachelor’s degree from Wilmington College, where he majored in agriculture and education.

Before joining the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation staff, Nelson taught agriculture education and served as an FFA advisor. He also served as the farm director for a small market radio station.

Dustin Brown elected to head Luckey Farmers Cooperative

Dustin Brown was recently elected president and CEO of Luckey Farmers Cooperative. He is the 11th president in the company's 102-year history and replaces retiring CEO James Swartz.

Before joining Luckey Farmers, Brown served as profit center manager for The Andersons, where he led the company's oat program and received an award for Best Managed Profit Center within the Trade and Processing Group. Prior to his tenure with The Andersons, Brown was an operations manager at Kelly Outsourcing and Consulting Group at Kraft Foods. Brown also owns and operates his family farm, Brown Farms, in Wood County.

OFB adds member to young professionals committee

Based on Farm Bureau involvement, leadership potential and community service, Hannah DiVencenzo of Lorain County, Ryan Matthews of Highland County, Derek Snider of Hardin County and Sara Tallmadge of Ashland County have been selected as the newest members of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Agricultural Professionals Committee.

The committee is composed of eight members or couples who suggest, develop and conduct activities that provide opportunities for young farmers and ag professionals to be more involved in OFB programs.

Duties include planning the yearly YAP winter leadership conference and hosting Young Agricultural Professionals in a variety of in- and out-of-state events.

Top 10 Ohio Angus producers announced

The 10 producers who registered the most Angus beef cattle in the state of Ohio recorded a total of 1,231 Angus with the American Angus Association during fiscal 2021, which ended Sept. 30, says Mark McCully, AAA CEO.

The 10 top recorders in Ohio are Maplecrest Farms, Hillsboro; Way View Cattle Co. LLC, Hebron; Optum Angus LLC, Seaman; Diamond T Land & Cattle Co. LLC, Bidwell; Atterholt Farms, Jeromesville; OHC Angus, South Charleston; Burgett Angus Farm LLC, Carrollton; Markota Angus Ranch LLC, Elkton; James Coffelt, Cadiz; and Beverly Wagner, Hamilton.  

Angus breeders across the nation in 2021 registered 313,138 head of cattle.

Interim chair named at OSU’s CFAES

Pasha A. Lyvers Peffer, a professor in the Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Department of Animal Sciences, has been named interim chair of the department.

Lyvers Peffer joined CFAES as an assistant professor in 2005, becoming an associate professor in 2011 and a professor in 2018. She previously served as undergraduate program leader and chair of Academic Affairs in the Department of Animal Sciences from 2014-17, as interim associate chair of Animal Sciences from 2016-17, and as acting assistant dean of CFAES Academic Affairs from 2017-18.

As a professor in Animal Sciences, Lyvers Peffer works to teach fundamental animal biology to a diverse student demographic and includes traditional in-person and online delivery.

New leadership named at Andersons plant nutrient team

The Andersons wholesale fertilizer business has promoted Chuck Anderson to vice president and general manager, specialty liquids, of the plant nutrient business. In his 34 years with the company, he has served in various roles, including quality assurance, research and development, product management, marketing, regulatory, and sales management. He most recently served as vice president of innovation for the company’s nutrient businesses and will retain his leadership over the commercialization and innovation functions..

Also recently promoted is former director of industrial sales John Kevern, who will now expand his responsibilities to serve as director of sales, specialty liquids.

Brecken Price has also assumed additional responsibilities and will fill the role of director of commercialization and innovation.