Reserve Champion Chianina Steer, Ryan Taulbee, Felicity, Ohio, breeder.
The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association hosted the inaugural Best of the Buckeye show at the Ohio Beef Expo on Sunday, March 16 during the junior show. The Best of the Buckeye program, coordinated by OCA in conjunction with the Ohio Beef Expo and Ohio State Fair, had a strong first show with more than 170 head of cattle nominated by youth and breeders to date.

The program recognizes top Ohio bred, born and registered calves, along with the breeder and exhibitor, in each breed division at the two shows. Best of the Buckeye provides Ohio seedstock breeders with an enhanced marketing opportunity for Ohio bred, born and registered steers and heifers, creates a source of more moderately priced show steers and heifers by providing a program with awards and prestige, and attracts new participants interested in showing at the Ohio Beef Expo and/or the Ohio State Fair.

This year’s generous sponsors are Green Oak Farms, heifer division; Steve R. Rauch, steer division; and Franklin Equipment, scholarship division. $45,000 will be presented between the two shows in the form of premiums, scholarships and awards. Every winning Best of the Buckeye exhibitor received a basic premium of $300 for champion, $200 for reserve champion, and $100 for third overall. Ohio breed associations also contributed additional premiums. OCA would like to thank these sponsors for contributing to a successful first year of the Best of the Buckeye program. The local winners of the Ohio Beef Expo event were as follows:

Reserve Champion Chianina Steer, Exhibitor: Lori Millenbaugh, Crestline, Ohio; Breeder: Ryan Taulbee, Felicity, Ohio; Total premium: $200

The OCA is an affiliate of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and is the state’s spokesperson and issues manager for all segments of the beef cattle industry including cattle breeders, producers and feeders. It is the grass roots policy development organization for the beef business. Through the OCA, cattle producers work to create a positive business environment, while providing consumers with a safe and wholesome product.