Summer 2016 by Ohio Cattlemen's Association

Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 1

Your $2 Beef BeefCheckoff Checkoff

Hosts #BlogMeetsBeef Tour Features

Highlights: • • • • •

Farm Tour at Claylick Run Angus Dinner hosted by Cameron Mitchell’s Chef at The Barn Meat Case and Cutting Demonstration with Meijer Food Photography Session with Certified Angus Beef Culinary Challenge at Columbus State Community College

By the Numbers: • 4 Participating Beef Councils (Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin) • 14 Food and Lifestyle Bloggers • Total reach of roughly 1 million consumers on social media

26 7

Hollowell Attends Elite Beef Industry Conference

OCA Roundup Information & Registration

United Producers, Inc. Hosts Fat Cattle Show & Sale

OCA & OBC Welcome Summer Interns

BEST Program Concludes a Successful 17th Yeat at Annual Banquet

2016-2017 BEST Schedule

26 Environmental Stewardship Award

Pete Conkle expands family’s longtime conservation efforts. by Amy Beth Graves

34 What’s the Deal with Pollinators

Results: • 93% of the bloggers felt much more confident with beef production • All bloggers felt the positives outweighed the negatives of beef • All attendees said the experience made them more likely to recommend beef to their families and followers • All said the experience prepared them to communicate simple, healthy ways of incorporating beef either extremely (79 percent) or very (21 percent) well.

Editorial

News & Notes

Reference

Harsh Realities

OCA News

OCA News & Views

Your Dues Dollars at Work

8 OCA County Affiliate Presidents

Forage Corner

Letters to the Editor

Up the Alley

Breed News

Ohio CattleWomen Update

Beef Briefs

Checkoff News

30 On the Edge of Common Sense

BEEF

COUNCIL www.ohiobeef.org

Allied Industry Council

Calendar of Events

Parting Shots

Advertisers’ Index

On the Cover

Photo taken by Marcy Love, Clark County. Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 3

Harsh Realities

Ohio Cattleman

By Elizabeth Harsh, Ohio Cattleman Editor

10600 U.S. Highway 42 Marysville, Ohio 43040 Phone 614-873-6736 • Fax 614-873-6835 www.ohiocattle.org beef@ohiobeef.org Editor Elizabeth Harsh Sales Representative Stephanie Sindel

The Impact of a Legend Last month Ohioans enjoyed the Cleveland Cavaliers’ historic comeback win to become the 2016 NBA champions. It was a championship that was 52 years in the making for Cleveland and led by Ohio legend LeBron James. Ohio State legend Coach Urban Meyer, also an Ohio native, joined in the Cavs celebration attended by over 1.3 million fans. Sports legends are sometimes easier to identify simply because their tremendous athletic skills are on public display each time they compete. Everyone has their own definition of what makes a person a legend. My personal thoughts on what makes a legend centers around the positive impact they make on others and the impact they make in their work. We all have our own unique list of personal legends or heroes. They may include family members, personal mentors and countless others that have positively impacted our lives.

Ohio Cattleman magazine (USPA: 020-968, ISSN: 15430588) is published six times per year: Winter issue, mailed in January; Expo preview issue, mailed in February; Spring issue, mailed in April; Summer issue, mailed in July; Early Fall issue, mailed in September; and Late Fall issue, mailed in October; for $15 a year to OCA members only. It is dedicated to reporting facts about Ohio’s cattle including marketing, production and legislative news. All editorial and advertising material is screened to meet rigid standards, but publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy or validity of claims. All rights reserved. Circulation for the Summer 2016 issue is 2,810. Published at Minster, Ohio 45865 by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, 10600 US Highway 42, Marysville, Ohio 43040. Periodical postage paid at Marysville, Ohio and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Ohio Cattleman, 10600 US Highway 42, Marysville, Ohio 43040. CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS: Please send old as well as new address to Ohio Cattleman, 10600 US Highway 42, Marysville, Ohio 43040.

The beef industry has its share of legends, many of whom are continuing to make an impact and many that are no longer with us. Recently the beef industry lost two of its legends that were both members of the prestigious Saddle and Sirloin Portrait Gallery, the highest honor bestowed in the livestock industry – Dale Runnion and Harlan Ritchie. Although they are no longer with us, the positive impacts they made will continue for generations to come.

To schedule advertising write to: Ohio Cattleman, 10600 US Highway 42, Marysville, Ohio 43040, or call 614-873-6736. All advertising material for the Early Fall Issue must be received by August 12, 2016.

Dr. Ritchie was born in Iowa in 1935 and after graduating from Iowa State University, he started a career that would span five decades at Michigan State University. You don’t have to be very involved in the beef industry to recognize his name and know something about the huge impact he made on the beef industry during his career and after his retirement. Dr. Ritchie’s influence on beef cattle and the people involved in the industry was indeed legendary.

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Dale Runnion was a well-known editor and publisher of seedstock magazines and noted breed promoter. Raised in Van Wert County, Ohio, Mr. Runnion graduated from The Ohio State University (OSU) in 1939 and began his career in livestock journalism in 1949 as field representative for the Chicago Drovers Journal. In 1952, he moved to the Aberdeen Angus Journal, where he rose from field man to advertising manager to managing editor. He presided over the publication during the biggest growth period in Angus history. Runnion was a tremendous communicator, but he was perhaps best known for the people he recruited, trained and inspired. He had the ability to recognize, cultivate and motivate talented individuals. Coming out of the Depression era, he was especially proud of giving young people a job opportunity and helping them toward a productive career.

In the midst of this election year craziness, it is sometimes discouraging when we try to identify legends. But those legends are out there in all levels of public service, we just have to look for them. One of them is George V. Voinovich, former Ohio Governor and U. S. Senator, who passed away in June. For someone that was a city kid and long-time mayor of Cleveland, Senator Voinovich was a true friend of agriculture who loved everything about it and enjoyed every aspect of the Ohio State Fair. OCA presented him with an association buckle and hand-tooled belt with the words “Ag Governor” and he wore it proudly, until we had to replace it with an “Ag Senator” belt. I was fortunate to be able to call him, and his wife, Janet, friends. Senator Voinovich was certainly a legend for agriculture. When we open the gates on the upcoming 2016 Ohio State Fair, the beef cattle will once again be showcased in the Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center building on the fairgrounds. Thank you to the many legends, past and present, who have made such a positive impact. See you at this year’s Ohio State Fair. v

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4 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

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OCA Officers

President • Joe Foster Vice President • Sasha Rittenhouse Secretary • Elizabeth Harsh Treasurer • Bill Tom Past President • Frank Phelps

OCA News & Views

By Joe Foster, OCA President

Planning for 2017 OCA Directors

Aaron Arnett Director At-Large Marysville • Term expires 2017 Tom Karr Director At-Large Pomeroy • Term expires 2018 J.L. Draganic Director At-Large South Solon • Term expires 2016 Scott Alexander District 1 Bowling Green • Term expires 2017 Kelvin Egner District 2 Shelby • Term expires 2018 Pete Conkle District 3 Hanoverton • Term expires 2016 Troy Jones District 4 Harrod • Term expires 2017 Frank Phelps District 5 Belle Center • Term expires 2018 Pam Haley District 6 West Salem • Term expires 2016 Brad Thornburg District 7 Barnesville • Term expires 2017 Sasha Rittenhouse District 8 New Carlisle • Term expires 2018 Stan Smith District 9 Canal Winchester • Term expires 2016 Bill Tom District 10 Spring Valley • Term expires 2017 Craig Shelton District 11 Lynchburg • Term expires 2018 Joe Foster District 12 Gallia • Term expires 2016

Elections are held each year in November. If interested in serving on the OCA Board, please call the OCA office.

OCA Staff

Elizabeth Harsh Executive Director Cambell Parrish Director of Public Relations & Consumer Marketing Stephanie Sindel Director of Member Services & Youth Program Coordinator Ron Windnagel Director of Accounting & Operations

6 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

OCA News

With the first half of 2016 already behind us, we are getting closer to the conclusion of all the election noise. It seems we can’t out run the coverage of, well, in many cases…. nothing. The race capturing most of the national media is mostly about how bad we can make the other candidate look. We need to demand more as voters. I would be very interested in seeing some meaningful debate on issues, policy outlines of any kind that may touch on some of the very real issues to me. While much of the rhetoric touches on broad, hot button issues, very little discussion is focused on the intricate steps of real solutions. Furthermore, many of the critical issues that impact us the most are apparently “off the radar”. It appears that we will need to do some research of our own to find who more closely aligns with our ideals. Please take time to do so and please cast your ballot! I’ll get off the subject of politics now before I get in too deep, if I’m not in too deep already. I would like to change gears and discuss an issue that we all need to understand. That is the new Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). I feel it is very important to understand the VFD as it relates to our own operation. Our strategies to be in compliance will undoubtedly vary from operation to operation. Some of us have consulting veterinarians and some don’t. Likewise for consulting nutritionists and other professionals we engage with in our industry. It is up to us to find the relevant information for our operations to be in compliance with the VFD regulations. We have many different places to find information on the VFD. OCA has made information available on our website, at meetings, and offered educational meetings. If you like technical reading, you can go to the federal register and read all 29 pages of the regulation. Realistically speaking, I feel the best way to learn about this is to discuss it with our peers and industry partners. Your feed salesman, nutritionist, vet, or neighbor can probably help you find the important information you need. Many of the pharmaceutical companies have updates on their websites to inform us on which of their products will be included in this regulation. We might need to make a list of what products we use in our operation and discuss those with the company representatives who produce them. This regulation doesn’t need to scare us, but it certainly warrants our due diligence. I apologize for burdening you with a bush of politics and regulations here during the dog days of summer. However, I promise two very important events will take place in January of 2017. There will be a new President of the United States of America, and the Veterinary Feed Directive will be in effect and we must be ready for BOTH! v

Hollowell Attends Elite Beef Industry Conference Representing Ohio, Randy Hollowell participated in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s 2016 Young Cattlemen’s Conference. Over 50 cattle producers from across the country and across the industry attended the conference. Randy began farming full time in 2007 after joining his wife, Stacy’s family farming operation. Together with his father-in-law and brother-in-law they raise approximately 3,200 acres of corn and soybeans in west-central Ohio. His brother-in-law runs a backgrounding operation which cycles around 1,000 head per year. C&H Livestock LLC, owned by Randy and Stacy and his in-laws, Russ and Kathy, operate a feedlot that handles around 600 head per year. Randy is currently serving on the Ohio Beef Council and was the 2016 Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) Young Cattleman of the Year. In addition, Randy and Stacy are past-participants of OCA’s Young Cattlemen’s Conference. Randy and Stacy have been married for 10 years and have two children; Dylan, age 7; and Carly, age 5. When not working with cattle or the grain farm, they enjoy showing pigs at the local and state level. NCBA’s YCC program is an opportunity for these young leaders to gain an understanding of all aspects of the beef industry from pasture to plate, and showcase the industry’s involvement in policy making, issues management, research, education and marketing. Beginning at the NCBA headquarters in Denver, Colo., the group got an inside look at many of the issues affecting the beef industry and the work being done on both the state and national level to address these issues on behalf of the NCBA membership. While in Denver, participants were given an organizational overview of NCBA and the Beef

Checkoff Program and CattleFax provided a comprehensive overview of the current cattle market and emerging trends. At Safeway, the participants received a firsthand account of the retail perspective of the beef business and then toured the JBS Five Rivers’ Kuner feedyard, one of the largest in the nation, and the JBS Greeley packing and processing plant. From Denver, the group traveled to Chicago where they visited McDonald’s Campus and OSI, one of the nation’s premiere beef patty producers. After the brief stop in Chicago, the group concluded Randy Hollowell, Covington, Ohio, attended the National Cattlemen’s Beef their trip in Washing- Association Young Cattlemen’s Conference in Washington, D.C. ton D.C., for an inWith the beef industry changing rapdepth issues briefing on current policy idly, identifying and educating leaders issues including international trade and has never been so important. As a grassincreasing environmental regulations. roots trade association representing the Following the issues update, the parbeef industry the NCBA is proud to play ticipants were given the opportunity to a role in that process and its future sucvisit one-on-one with members of their cess. Over 1,000 cattlemen and women state’s congressional delegation, expresshave graduated from the YCC program ing their viewpoints regarding the beef since its inception in 1980. Many of industry and their cattle operations. these alumni have gone to serve in state John Deere then hosted a reception in and national committees, councils and the evening at their office. boards. YCC is the cornerstone of leadThe following morning, the group ership training in the cattle industry. v then traveled to Aldie, Va., for a tour and barbeque at Whitestone Farms, one of the nation’s elite purebred Angus operations. Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 7

OCA County Affiliate Presidents

Adams.............................. Reggie Carrington Allen...........................................Brad Heffner Ashland................................ Mandy Atterholt Athens/Meigs/Washington.... Jamey Rauch Auglaize.......................... Charles Sutherland Brown............................................Alan Scott Butler.............................................Dean Lake Carroll.........................................Sherie Clark Champaign................................. David Clapp Clark................................................ Bob Agle Clermont............................... Brandon Snider Columbiana/Mahoning/Trumbull................. ................................................ Brian Spencer Crawford.........................................Andy Lohr Darke.......................................... Brad Wilcox Fairfield....................................... Marcy Love Fayette.......................................J.L. Draganic Fulton................................... Rick Coopshaw Gallia.......................................... Scott Payne Greene........................................ Josh Jacobs Hancock................................Charles Beagle Hardin.................................Adam Billenstein Henry.......................................Tim Brinkman Highland.................................. Craig Shelton Hocking.................................. Jo Ann Murtha Huron......................................Barrett French Jackson..................................... Jim Edwards Jefferson................................... Tyler Ramsey Knox......................................Chuck Dudgeon Lawrence.................................... Gene Myers Licking......................................... Steve Davis Logan.........................................Troy Selhorst Madison................................ Quinton Keeran Marion..................................... Dustin Bayles Mercer........................................Neil Siefring Miami....................................... Bob Karnehm Montgomery......................Duane Plessinger Morrow.................................Junior Brandum Muskingum................................... Adam Heil Noble..................................... Pernell Salings Ohio Valley.............................Benjamin Cline Perry......................................Jason Poorman Preble...................................... Rodney Mann Putnam............................. Dennis Schroeder Richland................................... Dave Fackler Seneca....................................Bret Cleveland Shelby......................................... Jason Gibbs Stark............................................ John Slagle Vinton.............................Teresa Snider-West Williams............................... Austin Douglass Wood...............................Elizabeth Bostdorff Wyandot........................................Mike Thiel

8 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

Your Dues Dollars at Work A review of actions by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Legislative & Regulatory • • • •

• •

•

Presented testimony in support of HB 297 to establish tax credits for building manure storage structures sponsored by Representative Brian Hill. Presented testimony in support of HB 398 to provide additional corrections to the CAUV program. Reviewed SB 333 that calls for strengthening the Lake Erie Commission to coordinate all phosphorus reduction initiatives in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Submitted comments on the administration’s Western Lake Erie Basin Collaborative Implementation draft plan for reducing phosphorus entering Lake Erie by 40 percent by the year 2025. Met with the State Veterinary to discuss changes and implications of the new drenching rules for the Ohio Livestock Exhibition program. Finalized the OCA PAC plan for 2016 and supported and attended fundraisers for the Ohio House Republican Caucus and the Ohio Senate Democrat Caucus, in addition to attending several individual state and federal candidate fundraising events. Participated in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services meeting to discuss the black vulture depredation issue on livestock and to explore new ideas for solutions to the problem.

Youth •

• •

Presented over $19,000 to the Make-A-Wish program for 2015-16 to grant the wishes of children with life threatening illnesses. Over the last four years BEST participants have raised a total of over $60,000 through this community service project. Sponsored beef proficiency and meat skills awards presented at the 2016 Ohio FFA Convention. Processed Best of the Buckeye (BOTB) program nominations for the Ohio State Fair BOTB shows.

Programs & Events • • • • • •

•

Sponsored Randy Hollowell of Miami County, Ohio’s participant on the 2016 NCBA Young Cattlemen’s Conference & Tour held in early June. Hosted the OSU Football team for an all-beef meal at their spring Champions dinner and a meal for the incoming freshman football players and their families. Sponsored the Bucyrus United Producers, Inc. Fed Cattle Show & Sale on June 28. Planned the 2016 OCA Young Cattlemen’s Conference set for August 18-20. Scheduled volunteers for the OCA Steak Barn and Taste of Ohio Café beef stands at the 2016 Ohio State Fair. Finalized plans for the 2016 OCA Roundup and OARDC Beef & Forage Night to be held on August 26-27 and hosted by the OARDC Jackson Branch and the Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association. Attended county affiliate events in Clark and Putnam Counties.

Your Dues Dollars at Work cont. Association •

• •

Held June board of directors meeting and conference call for OCA and OCF directors. Compiled and emailed May and June e-newsletters to OCA membership. Printed and mailed summer OCA Cattlegram newsletter highlighting plans for the 2016 OCA Roundup hosted by the Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association. Produced the 2016 edition of The Ring. Printed the 2016 Ohio Feeder Calf Special Sales brochure for distribution beginning at the Ohio State Fair. v

Letters to the Editor I would like to personally thank you for all that you do for the youth of the livestock industry. It is an extraordinary privilege to have received the Eby trailer at the BEST banquet. I am honored to be given the opportunity to represent OCA, the BEST program and Eby trailers in the upcoming 2016-17 show season. Without your outstanding continued support for our youth programs, this tremendous award would not be possible. I am extremely appreciative for all that you do. Thank you! Sincerely, Kinley Kreis On behalf of all of the participants of the State Meats Evaluation Career Development Event, I would like to personally thank you for your sponsorship of the contest. The opportunity you have made possible for students, has given us the possibility to pursue multiple career paths. Your contributions and support does not go unnoticed by Ohio FFA Members across the state. Thank you again for your sponsorship of the State Meats Evaluation Contest. Sincerely, Emily Wesner

OCA News Replacement Female Sale Planned

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) is announcing an event of potential interest for both the buyers and sellers of beef breeding cattle. On Friday evening, November 25, the OCA will be hosting their fourth annual Replacement Female Sale. The sale will be held at the Muskingum Livestock facility in Zanesville and will begin at 6:00 p.m. The 2016 Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Replacement Female Sale will provide an opportunity for both buyers and sellers to meet the need for quality replacements in the state. Consignments may include cow-calf pairs, bred cows and bred heifers. Females must be under the age of five as of January 1, 2017 and may be of registered or commercial background. Bred females must be bred to a bull with known EPD’s and calves at side of cows must be sired by a bull with known EPD’s. Pregnancy status must be verified by an accredited veterinarian through traditional palpation, ultrasound or by blood testing through a professional laboratory. Analysis must be performed within 60 days of sale. Consignments will also be fulfilling specific health requirements. At the 2015 OCA Replacement Female Sale, buyers had the opportunity to appraise 111 lots of bred heifers and bred cows. 88 lots of bred heifers that averaged $2,350 and 23 lots of bred cows that averaged $2,465. The 111 total lots grossed $263,475 for an overall average of $2,374. The current demand for bred replacement females appears to be softer than in 2014 and 2015 but is strong from a historical perspective outside of those two unique marketing seasons. As we are in the midst of the 2016

breeding season, now is an excellent time to evaluate your herd and consider marketing decisions for the fall. Young, high quality cattle backed by solid genetics are in demand with potential buyers. Yearling heifers bred artificially to proven calving ease sires are very marketable. It is also a great time to evaluate the body condition of potential sale animals and make nutritional adjustments to the animal’s diet in anticipation of a late November sale date. Experience tells us that while prospective buyers may complain about overly fat breeding cattle, they certainly resist purchasing breeding cattle that are in thin body condition. Consignments for the sale are due to the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association by October 1, 2016. Sale information can be obtained by contacting the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association at (614) 873-6736 or at their web site located at www.ohiocattle. org . If you have any questions about the sale, you can call John Grimes at (740) 289-2071, Extension #242 or contact by e-mail at grimes.1@osu.edu. Please consider this sale as an option for both buyers and sellers to help contribute to the improvement of Ohio’s beef cow herd. v

Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 9

OCA News United Producers, Inc. Hosts Fat Cattle Show and Sale United Producers, Inc.-Bucyrus hosted its fifth annual Fat Cattle Show and Sale on June 28. The show had 159 pen of three entries, and sold over 470 head of cattle. Holstein steers brought a high of $122.00 and beef steers and heifers brought a high of $130.00. The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association was a sponsor for the sale, and the Crawford County Cattlemen sponsored and grilled beef for the event’s meal.

2016 Fat Cattle Show Results Steers Grand Champion Steers Esselburn Grain and Cattle, Shreve, Ohio Reserve Grand Champion Steers Bass Beef, Ada, Ohio Third Place Steers Esselburn Grain and Cattle, Shreve, Ohio

2016 Fat Cattle Sale Results Steers Placing Grand Reserve Heifers Placing Grand Reserve Holsteins Placing Grand Reserve

Patronize these Companies that Support your Association For information about joining OCA’s Allied Industry Council, call the OCA Office 614.873.6736 or visit www.ohiocattle.org

ABS Global Inc. Brian Good, Aaron Short, Buck Owen, Roger Sundberg 330-466-2588 www.absglobal.com

Weight 1491 1611

Price 123.50 130.00

Weight 1213 1273

Price 121.75 124.25

Ag Credit David White 419-435-7758 www.agcredit.net

Weight 1498 1600

Price 120.00 121.50

Ag Nation Products Bob and Marie Clapper 1-800-247-3276 www.agnation.com

Heifers Grand Champion Heifers Andy Thomas, Plain City, Ohio Reserve Grand Champion Heifers Bass Beef, Ada, Ohio Third Place Heifers Jeff Robinson, Marysville, Ohio

ADM Animal Nutrition David Brainard 614-545-8055 Dan Meyer 330-466-3281, Roger Schrader 330-263-6432 www. admworld.com

AgLand Co-op Scott Bauerbach 740-373-2875 www.agland.coop

AgriLabs Kyle Vincent 540-937-6189 www.agrilabs.com

Ohio Soybean Council Jennifer Coleman 614-476-3100 www.soyohio.com

Evolution Ag LLC Doug Loudenslager 740-363-1341 www.evolutionag.com

PBS Animal Health Becky Vincent 1-800-321-0235 www.pbsanimalhealth.com

Farm Credit Mid-America Bob Foster, Tara Durbin 740-892-3338 www.e-farmcredit.com

POET Biorefining-Marion Duane McCombs 740-383-9774 www.poet.com

Fennig Equipment Gary Fennig 419-953-8500 www.fenningequipment.com

Priefert Ranch Equipment Candice Davidson, Kayla Gray, Byron Miller & Steve Campbell 903-434-8973 www.priefert.com

Franklin Equipment Troy Gabriel 614-228-2014 www.franklinequipmentllc.com Heartland Bank Brian Fracker 740-349-7888 & Joel M. Oney 614-475-7024 www.heartlandbank.com

Purina Animal Nutrition LLC David Newsom 317-677-5799 & Justin Bachman 740-974-3368 www.purinamills.com Quality Liquid Feeds Joe Foster 614.560.5228 jfoster@qlf.com

Animal Profiling International Ray Rogers 503-247-8066 www.animalprofiling.com

Highland Livestock Supply Curt Hively 330-457-2033 www.highlandlivestocksupply.com

Armstrong Ag & Supply Dean Armstrong 740-988-5681

Hilliard Lyons Patrick Saunders 740-446-2000 www.patricksaundersfc.com

Beck’s Hybrids Bruce Kettler & Ryan Moore 1-800-937-2325 www.beckshybrids.com

Hubbard Feeds Tom Linn 567-204-3065, Jeremy Baldwin 765-730-5459, Darl Bishir 419-236-0656, Perry Owen 937-726-9736 www.hubbardfeeds.com

StandAlone Feed, LLC. Jonathan Hjelmervik 806-778-5527 www.standalonefeed.com

JD Equipment Inc. Matthew Damschroder 740-653-6951 www.jdequipment.com

ST Genetics Aaron Arnett 614-947-9931 www.stgen.com

K Buildings Doug Hemm 937-216-5620 www.kbuildings.com

Straight A’s Nikki McCarty 330-868-1182 www.ranchcity.com

Kalmbach Feeds Jeff Neal, Kyle Nickles & Cheryl Miller 419-294-0330 www.kalmbachfeeds.com

Sunrise Co-op Inc. Phil Alstaetter 937-575-6780 www.sunrisecoop.com

Kent Feeds Patrick Barker 513-315-3833, Joseph Wright 937213-1168, Phil Reppart 330-201-0991 www.kentfeeds.com

Umbarger Show Feeds Jackson Umbarger & Eric King 317-422-5195 www.umbargerandsons.com

McArthur Lumber & Post Rick Jakmas 740-596-2551 www.mcarthurlumberandpost.com

Union Stock Yards Janet and Bill Butler 937-393-1958 www.unionstockyards.com

M.H. Eby Inc./Eby Trailers Kirk Swensen and Steve Rittenhouse 614-879-6901 www.mheby.com

United Producers, Inc. Sam Roberts & Bill Tom 937-477-0060, Abra Dunn 1-800-456-3276 www.uproducers.com

Bobcat Enterprises Inc. Tim Cannon 614-206-6360 www.bobcat-ent.com Boehringer Ingelheim Jake Osborn 937-725-5687 Greg Spear 440-478-1350 www.boehringer-ingelheim.com Cargill Animal Nutrition Tom Rohanna 412-217-8939, Neil Bumgarner 304-615-8239 Bradley Carter 330-234-2552 www.cargill.com COBA/Select Sires Duane Logan, Kevin Hinds, Bruce Smith, Julie Ziegler 614-878-5333 www.cobaselect.com

10 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

Engelhaupt Embroidery Leslie Gardisser and Linda Engelhaupt 937-592-7075 engelhauptembroidery.com

Allflex USA, Inc. Dave McElhaney 724-494-6199 www.allflexusa.com

BioZyme, Inc. Cody Sankey 517-749-5556 www.biozymeinc.com

Winners in attendance at the Fifth Annual Fat Cattle Show and Sale at UPI-Bucyrus, Ohio. (LR) Bob Bass with Bass Beef, Reserve Grand Champion Steers and Heifers; Evan Bils with Bils Family Farms, Third Place Holsteins; Jeff Robinson, Third Place Heifers; and Tom Esselburn & family with Esselburn Grain and Cattle Farm, Grand Champion and Third Place Steers.

Ohio CAT Linda Meier, Chad Wiseman, Alan Rhodes, Brian Speelman & Bill Kuhar 614-851-3629 ohiocat.com

Heritage Cooperative Allan Robison, Dave Monnin, Cy Prettyman, Stef Lewis 937-652-2135 www.heritagecoopervative.com

Big Ass Solutions Kara Hoagland 859-629-7759 www.bigasssolutions.com

Holsteins Grand Champion Holsteins Watts Farm, Alexandria, Ohio Reserve Grand Champion Holsteins Watts Farm, Alexandria, Ohio Third Place Holsteins Bils Family Farms, Nevada, Ohio

Elanco Animal Health Jon Sweeney 515-249-2926 Katie Oney 614-725-6332 www.elanco.com

CompManagement, Inc. Adam Rice 614-760-2450 www.sedgwickcms.com

Mercer Landmark Travis Spicer, Randy Seeger, Nick Wright, Joe Siegrist 419-586-2303 (Dave, Randy & Nick), 419-305-2451 (Joe) www.mercerlandmark.com

DHI Cooperative Inc. Brian Winters 1-800-DHI-OHIO Tim Pye 912-682-9798 www.dhicoop.com

Merck Animal Health Seth Clark 330-465-2728 www.merck-animal-health-usa.com

Dow AgroSciences Breanna Lawyer 765-620-7180 David Jay 317-946-4086 www.dowagro.com

Merial Brent Tolle 502-905-7831, Ryan Shroer 812-243-5128 www.merial.com Multimin USA, Inc. Pete Hausser 937-372-2302 www.multiminusa.com

Reed & Baur Insurance Agency LLC Paula Rogers & Jim Rogers 1-866-593-6688 www.reedbaur.com Rock River Laboratory Justin O’Flaherty 330-466-0233 www.rockriverlab.com Sioux Steel Company Matt Allen 260-450-5022 www.siouxsteel.com

Weaver Leather Livestock Angela Shoemaker - ext. 251, Lisa Shearer - ext. 206, 330-674-1782, Rachelle Vance 330-473-2848, Taylor Banbury 330-521-7625 www.weaverleather.com Zoetis Animal Health Leesa Beanblossom 937-447-3044 Ted Holthaus 937-489-1548 Mindy Thornburg 740-255-0277 www.zoetis.com Summer SummerIssue Issue2016x 2016Ohio x Ohio Cattleman Cattleman x 11 x 11

Breed News Angus Achievements

ark received fourth place; and Marissa Hall, Cardington received fifth place. Top honors in junior showmanship went to Ty Raines, Seaman, first place; Ellie Kidwell, Walhonding, second place; Landon Bockelman, Napoleon, third place; Brayden Hayes, Oak Harbor, fourth place; and Jacob LeBrun, Lucasville, fifth place.

Juniors Parade Champions at 2016 Atlantic National Regional Preview Show

Young Angus exhibitors from across the country exhibited 216 entries at the 2016 Atlantic National Regional Preview Junior Angus Show, May 27-28 in Timonium, Md. Shane Bedwell, Holt, Mo., evaluated the 136 owned females, 45 bred-and-owned females, 15 bred-andowned bulls, one cow-calf pair and 19 steers before selecting champions. Junior Champion Female was awarded to Will Harsh, Radnor, with Dameron C5 Northern Miss 1406.

Painter’s Amarillo C16 won Grand Champion Bred-andOwned Female and was exhibited by Brandee Painter.

Seldom Rest Bardot 5015 won grand champion owned female. Kacey Felumlee, Newark, Ohio, owns the January 2015 daughter of EXAR Classen 1422B. She first won junior champion.

2016 Ohio Angus Association Junior Preview Show

Angus exhibitors led 58 entries at the 2016 Ohio Angus Association Junior Preview Show, June 10-12 in Marysville, Ohio. Aaron Arnett, Galena, Ohio, evaluated the entries before naming champions. EK Insurance 1601 won grand champion bred-and-owned bull. Ellie Kidwell, Walhonding, Ohio, owns the January 2016 son of Connealy Comrade 1385.

Grand Champion Bull went to Miller Confidence 1450 exhibited by Alana Miller

Paradise Superman 548 received Grand Champion Steer honors and was exhibited by Caroline Winter.

Top honors in senior showmanship went to Michelle Bockelman, Napoleon, first place; Emily Wogan, Hebron, second place; and Mitchell Montegomery, Johnstown, third place. In intermediate showmanship, Kinsey Crowe, West Alexandria received first place; Christina Winter, Ashville received second place; Samantha Wallace, Kansas received third place; Keri Felumlee, New-

he 2015-2016 Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) BEST (Beef Exhibitor Show Total) Program wrapped up on May 7 with its annual awards banquet held at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. “The banquet is a time to celebrate the many achievements of our BEST participants, both in and out of the show ring,” says Stephanie Sindel, BEST coordinator. “Each participant is recognized for their hard work by family, friends and BEST supporters alike.” Several representatives from program sponsors, Bob Evans Farms, Burroughs Frazier Farms, Farm Credit Mid-America, M.H. Eby, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and Weaver Livestock, were on hand to help present awards totaling more than $50,000 in belt buckles, luggage, show materials and other awards. This year’s BEST program featured 15 sanctioned shows that weaved its way across the state with over 550 youth participants showing 740 head of market animals and heifers.

Banquet Sponsors

Maplecrest Rita 4147 won grand champion female. Jacob LeBrun, Lucasville, Ohio, owns the September 2014 daughter of EXAR Upshot 0562B. She first won senior champion.

EK Insurance 1601 exhibited by Ellie Kidwell won Grand Champion Bred-and-Owned Bull.

12 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

Angus exhibitors led 58 entries at the 2016 Ohio Angus Association Preview Show, June 10-12 in Marysville, Ohio. Emily Griffiths, Kendalville, Ind., evaluated the entries before naming champions. Miller Confidence 1450 won grand champion bull. Alana Miller, Lynchburg, Ohio, owns the June 2014 son of Connealy Confidence 0100. He first claimed senior champion.

Kacey Felumlee was awarded the Grand Champion Owned Female with Seldom Rest Bardot 5015.

Paradise Superman 548 won grand champion steer. Caroline Winter, Ashville, Ohio, owns the March 2015 son of Paradise Motive 309.

Painter’s Amarillo C16 won grand champion bred-and-owned female. Brandee Painter, Hebron, Ohio, owns the June 2015 daughter of S A V Bismarck 5682. She first won intermediate champion.

2016 Ohio Angus Association Preview Show

BEST Program Concludes a Successful 17th Year at Annual Banquet

Jacob LeBrun received Grand Champion Female with Maplecrest Rita 4147.

Christina Winter, Ashville, Ohio won Herdsman of the Year.

The BEST program also receives tremendous support for awards and the awards banquet. The 2015-2016 banquet and award sponsors were Hamilton Insurance Agency, Harsh’s Farm Service, Heritage Cooperative, Highland Livestock Supply, Kent Nutrition Group, Merchants National Bank, United Producers, Inc. and Weaver Leather Livestock. These sponsors donated a wonderful set of door prizes and offered monetary support for awards. State breed associations sponsoring belt buckle cases for the winners in each of the respective breeds: Buckeye Hereford Association, Ohio Angus Association, Ohio Mid-Eastern Maine-Anjou Association, Ohio Shorthorn Breeders Association and Ohio Simmental Association. The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association sponsored the remaining breeds’ winners. v

BEST Jr. Representatives 2016-2017 BEST Junior Representatives pictured from the left are Natalie Wagner, Brown County, Karigan Blue, Henry County; Kyle Piscione, Medina County; Haley Frazier, Jackson County; and Brianna Ellish, Miami County.

Scholarship Winners BEST participants efforts in academics and extracurricular activities are also recognized through the BEST Scholarship program, awarding three $1,000 scholarships. Scholarship winners were Natalie Wagner, Brown County; Cade Liggett, Tuscarawas County and Adison Niese, Richland County, not pictured.

Eby Trailer Winner Kinley Kreis of Muskingum County was the lucky BEST participant to receive the free use of an 8’ by 26’ livestock trailer for the 2016-2017 BEST season courtesy of Eby Trailer. Pictured are Steve Rittenhouse representing Eby Trailers and Kinley Kreis.

Showbox Winner Novice participant, Levi DeLong of Ross County won a new wrapped showbox in a novice-only drawing. The showbox was donated by Weaver Livestock. Pictured from left to right are Rachelle Vance, representing Weaver Livestock, Levi DeLong and Angela Shoemaker, representing Weaver Livestock.

BEST Program Sponsors:

Continued on page 17 Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 13

Breed Division Champions Champion Angus Heifer – Nevaeh Powers, Fulton Co. Reserve Champion Angus Heifer – Michelle Bockelman, Henry Co. Third Overall Angus Heifer – Jacob LeBrun, Scioto Co. Fourth Overall Angus Heifer – Ellie Kidwell, Knox Co. Fifth Overall Angus Heifer – Baylee Carey, Highland Co. Champion Angus Steer – Carly Sanders, Highland Co. Reserve Champion Angus Steer – Jacob LeBrun, Scioto Co.

Fifth Overall Market Heifer – Rufus Levi Tackett, Scioto Co. Champion Crossbred Heifer – Destiny LaFever, Ashland Co. Reserve Champion Crossbred Heifer – Kendra Gabriel, Pickaway Co. Third Overall Crossbred Heifer – Karlie Kennedy, Adams Co. Fourth Overall Crossbred Heifer – Kylee Bloomfield, Crawford Co. Fifth Overall Crossbred Heifer – Abbie Collins, Preble Co.

Champion Crossbred Steer – Abigail Myers, Tuscarawas Co. Champion Chianina Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland Co. Reserve Champion Crossbred Steer – Kendra Gabriel, Pickaway Co. Reserve Champion Chianina Heifer – Abbie Collins, Preble Co. Third Overall Crossbred Steer – Caden Jones, Allen Co. Third Overall Chianina Heifer – Jared Cluxton, Brown Co. Fourth Overall Crossbred Steer – Lori Millenbaugh, Crawford Co. Fourth Overall Chianina Heifer – Allison Herr, Fulton Co. Fifth Overall Crossbred Steer – Alayna Kellar, Harrison Co. Fifth Overall Chianina Heifer – Colton Burkett, Ashland Co. Sixth Overall Crossbred Steer – Luke Brinksneader, Darke Co. Champion Chianina Steer – Kinley Kreis, Muskingum Co. Seventh Overall Crossbred Steer – Carter Smith, Holmes Co. Reserve Champion Chianina Steer – Ethan Davies, Wood Co. Eighth Overall Crossbred Steer (tie) – Alayna McIntosh, Brown Co. Eighth Overall Crossbred Steer (tie) – Jayden Shriver, Gallia Co. Champion Hereford Heifer – Hudson Drake, Ross Co. Ninth Overall Crossbred Steer (tie) – Jonna Goss, Hocking Co. Reserve Champion Hereford Heifer – Austin Hunker, Huron Co. Ninth Overall Crossbred Steer (tie) – Luke Brinksneader, Darke Co. Champion Hereford Steer – Noah Smith, Sandusky Co. Tenth Overall Crossbred Steer – Adam Thompson, Clinton Co. Reserve Champion Hereford Steer – Jackson Grimes, Logan Co. Eleventh Overall Crossbred Steer (tie) – Mindy Barr, Pickaway Co. Eleventh Overall Crossbred Steer (tie) – Danielle Hoffman, Richland Co. Champion High % Maine-Anjou Heifer – Adison Niese, Richland Co. Twelfth Overall Crossbred Steer – Madalynn Bruckelmyer, Licking Co. Reserve Champion High % Maine-Anjou Heifer – Kinley Kreis, Muskingum Co. Thirteenth Overall Crossbred Steer (tie) – Kelsey Crandall, Darke Co. Champion MaineTainer Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland Co. Thirteenth Overall Crossbred Steer (tie) – Mackenzie Hursey, Tuscarawas Co. Reserve Champion MaineTainer Heifer – Dalton Kennedy, Adams Co. Fourteenth Overall Crossbred Steer (tie) – Brice Phelps, Union Co. Third Overall MaineTainer Heifer – Ashley Buell, Licking Co. Fourteenth Overall Crossbred Steer (tie) – Hayden Belleville, Wood Co. Fourth Overall MaineTainer Heifer – Rufus Levi Tackett, Scioto Co. Fifteenth Overall Crossbred Steer – Caitlin Gallagher, Lorain Co. Fifth Overall MaineTainer Heifer – Jordan Johnson, Gallia Co. Champion Maine-Anjou Steer – Lori Millenbaugh, Crawford Co. Reserve Champion Maine-Anjou Steer – Lindsey Pugh, Stark Co. Third Overall Maine-Anjou Steer – Victoria Waits, Fayette Co. Fourth Overall Maine-Anjou Steer – Kendal Widman, Crawford Co. Fifth Overall Maine-Anjou Steer – Clay Foor, Licking Co.

2015-2016 Friend of the BEST Program

Champion Shorthorn Heifer – Taylor Morbitzer, Franklin Co. Reserve Champion Shorthorn Heifer – Jessica Millenbaugh, Crawford Co. Third Overall Shorthorn Heifer – Samantha VanVorhis, Wood Co. Fourth Overall Shorthorn Heifer – Brandee Painter, Licking Co. Fifth Overall Shorthorn Heifer – Cole McLaughlin, Monroe Co. Champion Shorthorn Steer – Emma Mathews, Clinton Co. Reserve Champion Shorthorn Steer – Tanner Cordes, Montgomery Co. Champion ShorthornPlus Heifer – Allison Davis, Carroll Co. Reserve Champion ShorthornPlus Heifer – Reilly Jacobs Bell, Muskingum Co. Champion ShorthornPlus Steer – Noah Cox, Athens Co. Reserve Champion ShorthornPlus Steer – Victoria Waits, Fayette Co.

Bred and Owned Champions

Novice Champions

Showmanship Winners

Champion Bred & Owned Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland Co. - MaineTainer Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Heifer– Ashley Buell, Licking Co. - MaineTainer Third Overall Bred & Owned Heifer – Jordan Johnson, Gallia Co. - MaineTainer Fourth Overall Bred & Owned Heifer – Michelle Bockelman, Henry Co. - Angus Fifth Overall Bred & Owned Heifer– Mya Hetrick, Sandusky Co. - Shorthorn

Champion Novice Heifer (tie) – Olivia Dickson, Licking Co. - Purebred Simmental Champion Novice Heifer (tie) – Destiny LaFever, Ashland Co. – Crossbred Reserve Champion Novice Heifer (tie) – Nevaeh Powers, Fulton Co. – Angus Reserve Champion Novice Heifer (tie) – Kylee Bloomfield, Crawford Co. - Crossbred Third Overall Novice Heifer (tie) – Ellie Day, Ross Co. – Crossbred Third Overall Novice Heifer (tie) – Jordan Moffit, Huron Co. - Crossbred Fourth Overall Novice Heifer – Gage Farrar, Jackson Co. - Crossbred Fifth Overall Novice Heifer – Rufus Levi Tackett, Scioto Co. - MaineTainer Sixth Overall Novice Heifer – Lauren McIntosh, Brown Co. - Crossbred Seventh Overall Novice Heifer – Hannah French, Huron Co. - Crossbred Eighth Overall Novice Heifer – Maddox Cupp, Fairfield Co. - Hereford Ninth Overall Novice Heifer – Allison Herr, Fulton Co. - Chianina Tenth Overall Novice Heifer – Tyson Woodard, Guernsey Co. - % Simmental

Champion Novice Showman – Allison Herr, Fulton Co. Reserve Novice Showman – Drew Browning, Muskingum Co. Third Overall Novice Showman – Luke Brinksneader, Darke Co. Fourth Overall Novice Showman – Beau Johnson, Gallia Co. Fifth Overall Novice Showman – Dakota Warnimont, Putnam Co. Sixth Overall Novice Showman – Abigail Thornton, Fairfield Co. Seventh Overall Novice Showman – Shala Graham, Licking Co. Eighth Overall Novice Showman – Avery Moore, Erie Co. Ninth Overall Novice Showman – Levi DeLong, Ross Co. Tenth Overall Novice Showman – Paige Pence, Clark Co.

Champion Bred & Owned Steer – Wally Minges, Butler Co. - ShorthornPlus Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Steer – Ian Gehret, Darke Co. – Maine-Anjou Third Overall Bred & Owned Steer – Luke McKee, Knox Co. – Maine-Anjou Fourth Overall Bred & Owned Steer – Brooke Weeks, Champaign Co. – Maine-Anjou Fifth Overall Bred & Owned Steer – Austin Nicholl, Logan Co. – Chianina

Bred and Owned Heifer Winners

Novice Heifer Winners Bred and Owned Steer Winners

Novice Market Animal Winners Bill Tom, thank you for your years of dedicated service to Ohio’s livestock youth and to the BEST program!

Champion Miniature Heifer – Isaac Wiley, Morrow Co. Reserve Champion Miniature Heifer – Walker Wiley, Morrow Co. Champion Miniature Steer – Franklin Kinney, Logan Co. Reserve Champion Miniature Steer – Henry Strow, Wood Co. Champion Market Heifer – Kendra Gabriel, Pickaway Co. Reserve Champion Market Heifer – Austin Schneder, Clinton Co. Third Overall Market Heifer – Lauren McIntosh, Brown Co. Fourth Overall Market Heifer – Caroline Blay, Portage Co. 14 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

Champion Beginner Showman – Hudson Drake, Ross Co. Reserve Beginner Showman – Ellie Day, Ross Co. Third Overall Beginner Showman – Karlie Kennedy, Adams Co. Fourth Overall Beginner Showman – Neveah Powers, Fulton Co. Fifth Overall Beginner Showman – Sydney Sanders, Highland Co. Sixth Overall Beginner Showman – Madison Paden, Guernsey Co. Seventh Overall Beginner Showman – Blake Herdman, Highland Co. Eighth Overall Beginner Showman – Carly Sanders, Highland Co. Ninth Overall Beginner Showman – Ethan Davies, Wood Co. Tenth Overall Beginner Showman – Logan Schroeder, Defiance Co. Champion Junior Showman – Victoria Waits, Fayette Co. Reserve Champion Junior Showman – Chris Tooms, Muskingum Co. Third Overall Junior Showman – Harrison Blay, Portage Co. Fourth Overall Junior Showman – Mya Hetrick, Sandusky Co. Fifth Overall Junior Showman – Destiny Lafever, Ashland Co. Sixth Overall Junior Showman – Fulton Kennedy, Adams Co. Seventh Overall Junior Showman – Erin Pope, Gallia Co. Eighth Overall Junior Showman – Hunter Harris, Adams Co. Ninth Overall Junior Showman – Caden Jones, Allen Co. Tenth Overall Junior Showman – Kinzee Shafer, Preble Co. Champion Intermediate Showman – Allison Davis, Carroll Co. Reserve Champion Intermediate Showman – Dalton Kennedy, Adams Co. Third Overall Intermediate Showman – Lori Millenbaugh, Crawford Co. Fourth Overall Intermediate Showman – Olivia Wood, Clinton Co. Fifth Overall Intermediate Showman –Jordan Johnson, Gallia Co. Sixth Overall Intermediate Showman – Kathy Lehman, Richland Co. Seventh Overall Intermediate Showman – Kyle Piscione, Medina Co. Eighth Overall Intermediate Showman – Cade Liggett, Tuscarawas Co. Ninth Overall Intermediate Showman – Emily Paden, Guernsey Co. Tenth Overall Intermediate Showman (tie) – Hannah Topmiller, Warren Co. Tenth Overall Intermediate Showman (tie) – Haley Frazier, Jackson Co. Champion Senior Showman – Taylor Morbitzer, Franklin Co. Reserve Champion Senior Showman (tie) – Kendra Gabriel, Pickaway Co. Reserve Champion Senior Showman (tie) – Jessica Millenbaugh, Crawford Co. Third Overall Senior Showman – Emma Mathews, Clinton Co. Fourth Overall Senior Showman – Mindy Barr, Pickaway Co. Fifth Overall Senior Showman – Austin Garner, Butler Co. Sixth Overall Senior Showman – Danielle Whitted, Portage Co. Seventh Overall Senior Showman – Bricen Hess, Highland Co. Eighth Overall Senior Showman – Brianna Ellish, Miami Co. Ninth Overall Senior Showman – Lindsey Pugh, Stark Co. Tenth Overall Senior Showman – Jacob Jones, Brown Co.

Champion Simmental Heifer – Olivia Dickson, Licking Co. Reserve Champion Simmental Heifer – Cade Liggett, Tuscarawas Co. Champion % Simmental Heifer – Brooke Hayhurst, Wayne Co. Reserve Grand Champion % Simmental Heifer – Austin Garner, Butler Co. Third Overall % Simmental Heifer – Matthew Koverman, Scioto Co. Fourth Overall % Simmental Heifer – Tyson Woodard, Guernsey Co. Fifth Overall % Simmental Heifer – Nick McConnell, Knox Co. Champion Simmental Steer – Kinzee Shafer, Preble Co. Reserve Champion Simmental Steer – Delaney Jones, Allen Co. Champion AOB Heifer – Austin Hunker, Huron, Co. Reserve Champion AOB Heifer – Austin Schneder, Clinton Co. Champion AOB Steer – Zane Davison, Madison Co. Reserve Champion AOB Steer – Kennedy Thompson, Clinton Co.

Champion Novice Steer – Carly Sanders, Highland Co. - Angus Reserve Champion Novice Steer (tie) – Tanner Cordes, Montgomery Co. – Shorthorn Reserve Champion Novice Steer (tie) – Abigail Myers, Tuscarawas Co. - Crossbred Third Overall Novice Steer – Jacob LeBrun, Scioto Co. - Angus Fourth Overall Novice Steer – Franklin Kinney, Logan Co. - Miniature Fifth Overall Novice Steer – Caden Jones, Allen Co. - Crossbred Sixth Overall Novice Steer – Alayna Kellar, Harrison Co. - Crossbred Seventh Overall Novice Steer – Luke Brinksneader, Darke Co. - Crossbred Eighth Overall Novice Steer – Ethan Davies, Wood Co. - Chianina Ninth Overall Novice Steer – Delaney Jones, Allen Co. – Purebred Simmental Tenth Overall Novice Steer – Jayden Shriver, Gallia Co. - Crossbred

Community Service: Ronald McDonald House Charity Pop tabs were collected throughout the BEST season to donate to the Ronald McDonald House Charity. Haley Frazier, Jackson County collected the most pop tabs this season and received a $500 shopping spree for show supplies with Weaver Leather Livestock.

Novice Showmanship Winners

Beginner Showmanship Winners

Junior Showmanship Winners

Intermediate Showmanship Winners

Senior Showmanship Winners

Community Service: Make-A-Wish® For the 2015-2016 season. BEST Participants donated time and funds toward two community service projects supporting local youth, Make-A-Wish® and Ronald McDonald House Charities®. In all, BEST youth raised over $19,000 for Make-A-Wish. Abigail Thornton, Fairfield County, was the top fundraiser for Make-A-Wish® and was rewarded with a $500 shopping spree with Weaver Livestock. Participants raising $50 or more were also entered to win a $500 show supply gift certificate. Megan Becker, Washington County, was selected as the drawing winner. Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 15

Continued from page 12

Forage Corner

Christine Gelley, Ohio State Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Noble County

Does Crabgrass Really Hate You? You may have heard the rumor that crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) hates you. Those who profit from the sale of lawn care products may like you to believe that, but despite the claims, it really isn’t true. Each year crabgrass works toward accomplishing the goal of all living things, to reproduce, and if it had a life motto it might be something like: “Life is short, so live it!” Any plant out of place can be considered a weed and in the eye of many, crabgrass fits this description. However in a forage system, crabgrass can be the right plant, in the right place, at the right time. Crabgrass is an annual warm-season grass that reproduces by seed and completes it’s lifecycle in a timeframe offset from that of commonly used cool-season grasses like tall fescue, orchardgrass, and ryegrass. It begins germinating when soil temperatures reach 58°F and can thrive while other species lay dormant in the summer heat. It has few known pests and pathogens and can grow well on marginal sites. Intentionally utilizing crabgrass as forage could lead to opportunities for extending the grazing season

16 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

and producing high quality hay during the warmest periods of Ohio summers. In 1849 crabgrass was introduced by the U.S. government for use as forage and has since spread across the nation. The Noble Foundation has been conducting research on crabgrass as forage in Ardmore, Oklahoma since the 1970s. In the 1980s the Noble Foundation released the first cultivated crabgrass variety, ‘Red River’, later followed by the variety, ‘Quick N’ Big’. Universities and producers have also experimented with these varieties and have found that they produce forage of excellent nutritive value with high intake and rate of gain by livestock, particularly beef cattle. Under good growing conditions and management to reduce seed head development, values of up to 15% crude protein (CP) and averages of 10% CP from June through September have been observed for crabgrass ‘Quick N’ Big’. Rotational grazing has proven more efficient for dry matter production and animal gains than continuous grazing. If managed for hay, crabgrass should yield at least two substantial harvests

per year. Care should be taken to keep crabgrass vegetative during production through removal of seed heads, thereby preserving good nutritive value throughout the summer. Well drained soil is best for crabgrass. It is tolerant of soils with 5.5-7.5 pH. Seed should be broadcast on a tilled soil surface or drilled at ¼ inch at a rate of 3-5 pounds of pure live seed per acre and cultipacked. If crabgrass has established well and is allowed to reseed for the next season, lower seeding rates may be effective in subsequent years. With adequate moisture, seeds will germinate in a few days and be ready for grazing in about 30 days. Crabgrass is highly responsive to nitrogen, so split applications can generously increase dry matter yields. Defoliation heights can be tolerated to as low as 3 inches, stands can be ready to graze at 6 inches, and cutting for hay should occur during early boot or about 18 inches high. Crabgrass hay may take longer to cure than other popular forages. Dry matter yield typically ranges from 2-5 tons/acre. It can be incorporated in crop rotations with other annual crops, used as an emergency forage, or allowed to intermix with other forage species. It is unlikely that you will find crabgrass seed on the shelves of your local Ohio seed dealer, but it can be ordered from the supplier and variety developer, R.L. Dalrymple of Oklahoma. Your neighbors may think you are crazy if you decide to grow crabgrass on purpose, but in truth it would be crazy to pass up the opportunity to boost forage production, animal gains, and profitability. So while your neighbor tends to the pursuit of the perfect lawn, you can tend to the pursuit of perfect forage for your cattle, which may include the undue black sheep of forage, crabgrass. v

Breed News Jacob LeBrun, Lucasville, won premier exhibitor. Ty Raines and McKayla Raines, both of Seaman, won the junior herdsman award.

2016 All-American Angus Breeders’ Futurity Junior Show

Angus exhibitors led 143 entries at the 2016 All-American Angus Breeders’ Futurity Junior Show, June 11 in Louisville Ky. Travis Pembrook, Fairview, Okla., evaluated the entries before naming champions. Dameron C5 Northern Miss1406 won grand champion cow-calf pair Will Harsh, Radnor, Ohio, owns the February 2014 daughter of EXG RS First Rate S903 R3. A March 2016 bull calf sired by S A V Brilliance 8077 completes the winning pair.

for both breeds, 2nd in the Chianina Stockman’s Challenge and 3rd on the Maine-Anjou side and 2nd in Essay. He was a member of the 3rd place fitting team, 6th place in Showmanship, and finished 3rd All Around Champion in the Chianina division. Curtis Harsh, senior, finished 9th in Photography, was a member of the 2nd place fitting team, and concluded the

week becoming the 2016 Vice Chairman of the American Junior Chianina Association Board. Shelby Manning will also continue to serve on the Chianina Junior Board of Directors. Kathy Lehman garnered 2nd in Photography, 10th in Essay, and 10th in ShowContinued on page 23

Chianina Conquests & Maine Moments Ohio Exhibitors Bring Home the Gold

The 2016 Show for the Gold MaineAnjou and Chianina Junior Nationals recently concluded with Ohio exhibitors taking home medals in various contests. Over 220 exhibitors traveling from 22 different states exhibited their animals as well as competed in nine different contests throughout the week including Public Speaking, Photography, Essay, Salesmanship, Stockman’s Challenge, Livestock Judging, Quiz Bowl, Showmanship, and Team Fitting. Several Ohio exhibitors were successful with Top Ten finishes. Chris Tooms earned several titles including 7th in Public Speaking for both the Chianina and Maine-Anjou divisions, 3rd in Maine-Anjou and 6th in Chianina Salesmanship, 1st in Livestock Judging

Chris Tooms earned the title of 3rd All Around Champion.

Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 17

Up the Alley

By John Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator Program support provided by OCA

A Little “Crystal Balling” Many folks including myself have discussed the price volatility that the beef industry has experienced over the past several years. This volatility can be very frustrating as it makes budgeting and financial planning difficult at best. While I certainly don’t consider myself an economist, I do believe that most of price volatility that we have seen can directly attributed to a couple of basic factors. Namely, they are drought and supply and demand. A quick glance at U.S. Drought Monitor maps as of early summer shows the large majority of the country is in relatively good shape in terms of moisture and consequently, forage availability. Unfortunately, the far western and southwestern states are still experiencing abnormally dry conditions. In general, the states where the bulk of the nation’s beef cow herd is located are currently seeing positive production conditions and this has facilitated herd expansion. Annual USDA cattle inventory data indicates the impact that drought has had on beef cow numbers. From 20102014, drought conditions across much of the country led to a beef cow herd reduction of roughly 2.2 million head down to nearly 29 million total cows. Roughly 75% of this reduction came from the Southern Plains states which include Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico. As areas with drought lessened and prices increased, beef herd expansion began. USDA data indicates that the beef cow herd has grown by 1.25 million head over the past two years. Producers are also expanding through increased heifer retention as beef replacement heifers have increased by more than 700,000 head in the past two years. 18 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

Culling rates from beef cow slaughter is also an indicator of producers’ attitudes towards expansion. According to CattleFax, the culling rate of the nation’s cow herd through May has averaged 8 percent which is a similar rate to 2015. Keep in mind that in years in which the beef cow herd did not grow, the culling rate through the first five months of the year typically averages 10 percent. Furthermore, the percentage of heifers in the fed cattle slaughter mix is very low. So far in 2016, heifers in the fed slaughter mix have averaged 32.3 percent. USDA indicates this is the lowest percentage since 1974. Current cattle-on-feed data indicates that this trend will continue for much of the rest of 2016. So what do all these numbers mean for the nation’s beef cow herd as we move forward? CattleFax projects that beef cow numbers will increase by slightly over one million head over the next two years and will pass the 31 million head mark by 2018. This will put as a herd size similar to 2010. It is pretty amazing how the American cattleman can react to weather and economic conditions! The next obvious question is in regard to future prices for all classes of cattle and beef. Common sense would tell us that increasing numbers of cattle will lead to lower prices. In fact, CattleFax does expect annual price averages for feeder calves and fed cattle to decline towards 2018 at a much slower pace than we have seen over the past year. In fact, their projections indicate a return to price levels seen in range of 2013. As I stated earlier, price forecasting is an extremely difficult process. This is truer than ever because the factors impacting meat protein industries are

global in nature. Global population growth and economies will have huge impacts on beef production as well as our primary competitors poultry and pork. Global conditions combined with our domestic situation can make any projected prices subject to significant volatility. There are certainly challenges for our industry as we move forward. Poultry and pork production continues to expand and will compete with us for positioning at the center of the consumer’s dinner plate. Consumer and social issues such as food safety, the use of antibiotics, and the sustainability of our production systems are challenges that we will have to address proactively to retain a positive image of the beef industry. Beef producers will have to become more engaged with government officials on any legislation that impacts our ability to remain a viable agricultural industry. There are clear reasons for optimism to be involved in the cattle business as we move forward. Even with the recent volatility, near-term prices look favorable from a historical perspective. Our animals can utilize ground that is less desirable for the production of other agricultural commodities. Remember that we raise beef cattle which have the unique ability to convert forages and other feeds into a very nutritional product with taste and flavor that the consumer desires and our competition can only dream about. All things considered, this sounds like an industry I want to be involved in for the future. v

Beef Briefs Ohioan Andy White Wins 2016 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship

Andy White, Ashland, Ohio, proved his world-class talent as a livestock auctioneer at the 53rd anniversary of Livestock Marketing Association’s (LMA) World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC). Paris Stockyards in Paris, Kentucky hosted the contest on Saturday, June 18. His career as an auctioneer began 15 years ago, and White regularly sells at two livestock auction markets, as well as for purebred cattle, real estate and equipment sales. This year marks the second year that White has competed in the WLAC, after winning two qualifying events and being named the Audrey K. Banks “Rookie of the Year” in 2015. Looking toward his reign as World Champion, White is most excited to travel the United States and Canada, seeing how different markets do business, meeting livestock producers and visiting with the younger generation interested in being part of the livestock marketing business. White was sponsored by United Producers, Inc. in Creston, Ohio and Muskingum Livestock Auction Company in Zanesville, Ohio. This year’s champion takes home a customized 2016 Dodge Ram truck to use during the year of his reign; $5,000 cash; a championship bronze sculpture;

world champion Gist belt buckle and a hand-tooled leather briefcase from LMA; world champion ring sponsored by Paris Stockyards; the Golden Gavel Award sponsored by the World Wide College of Auctioneering; and a James Reid, Ltd. money clip sponsored by CattleUSA.com. In addition, White won the award for High Interview score. Doing so, he

Hands on Showmanship Leadership OSU Tailgate Fitting Contest Giveaways

Ohio

Cattlemen’s Camp

Oct. 15-16, 2016

Anybody showing cattle is invited to attend!

Join in on the 2-day 2-d event for the opportunity to learn day-to-day care of your cattle project. Also, gain showmanship and clipping experience while learning about the cattle industry. Camp participants are encouraged to bring their calves along for “hands-on” experience and learning; however it is not required for participants to bring a calf. If more than 1 participant per family attends, families can choose to bring 1 calf per kid or 1 calf per family. We will dive into cattle care, leadership, and also have a little fun with a tailgate as the Buckeyes take on the Wisconsin Badgers Saturday evening! Bring the entire family! Breakout sessions will be offered specially tailored to age-specific groups.

Meals will be provided.

Stay connected with the

Ohio Cattlemen’s Association! follow us on:

received $1,000 cash and a hand-tooled leather padfolio from the LMA. The 2016 LMA Annual Convention and WLAC was sponsored in part by the Meadowbrook Star Insurance Group, Cattlemen’s Beef Board, Berkley Agribusiness Risk Specialists and the official animal health sponsor, Merial. More information can be found at www.LMAweb.com v

Madison County Fairgrounds - London, Ohio Reserve a room at Holiday Inn 100 Holiday Trail NE, London, OH 43140 Phone: (740) 852-2700

Camp Cost- $75.00 per participant *family rates available

To register visit www.ohiocattle.org

Hosted By Ohio Cattlemen’s Association www.ohiocattle.org beef@ohiobeef.org 614.873.6736 Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 19

Ohio Cattlemen’s Association

Roundup

August 26 & 27, 2016 Two great events combined - OARDC Beef & Forage Night & OCA Roundup Hosted by: OARDC Jackson Branch & Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association

Schedule of Events Friday, August 26

Saturday, August 27

Jackson Agricultural Research Station 019 Standpipe Road - Jackson, Ohio 45640

7:30 - 8:30 a.m. - Registration & Breakfast Breakfast sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition

4:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Registration

8:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Program Program speakers sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America

Visit with Allied Industry Council members 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Dinner 6:00 - Program & Tour Stop #1 - Veterinary Feed Directive Justin Kieffer, Clinical Veterinarian, Professional Practice Assistant Professor, Ohio State University Discuss the impacts of the upcoming Veterinary Feed Directive that is effective in 2017 and what producers should be doing to plan ahead. Stop #2 - Replacement Heifer Decisions: Do I Raise Them or Buy Them? Scott Payne, JARS Manager and OSU Extension Beef Team Members Review the management and economic considerations associated with raising replacement females from within the herd. Stop #3 - Getting the Heifer Bred and Properly Developed to Calving Time Dr. Steve Boyles, OSU Animal Science and OSU Extension Beef Team Members Address the importance of proper heifer nutrition from weaning through breeding season as a yearling until she calves as a twoyear old. Stop #4 - Keeping the First-Calf Heifer in the Herd Dr. Tony Parker, OSU Animal Science and OSU Extension Beef Team Members Review the increased nutritional demands of a first-calf heifer that will allow her to deliver a healthy calf, lactate, rebreed, and continue to mature to her genetic potential. 9:00 - Social / Music - Food - Drinks - Shuttle Service At the conclusion of the program, all attendees are invited to attend the Roundup Social at Rowdy’s Smokehouse. Rowdy’s Smokehouse 495 Ralph Street - Jackson, Ohio 45640 Social sponsored by United Producers, Inc., Boehringer-Ingelheim and Frazier Farms

Dr. Henry Zerby, Chair, OSU Department of Animal Sciences Zerby will present a department update and introduce new faculty that are focusing on beef cattle research and outreach programs for cattlemen. He will also update attendees on plans for the new OSU beef facilities.

Spurlock Farm The Spurlock farm located near Oak Hill is operated by father and son, Bob and Tyson Spurlock and their families. The farm was established in 1954 and consists of 650 acres. It features a 175 head cow-calf operation. In addition, the Spurlocks operate a fertilizer and ag lime business. The farm markets their calves as feeders and purchases only replacement females and bulls. The operation feeds mostly round bales and wetwrapped hay.

Colin Woodall, Vice President of Government Affairs, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Woodall serves as NCBA’s chief lobbyist on Capitol Hill and leads the Washington office in developing strategies to ensure that the cattle industry’s voice is being heard by policy makers. He will provide an election update and discuss the importance of trade and the passage of TPP to the beef industry and other issues important to cattle producers.

Accommodations: Red Roof Inn 1000 Acy Avenue - Jackson, Ohio 45640 740-288-1200, $68.99 + tax

OCA/NCBA Live PAC Fundraiser Auction Featuring OSU Football Tickets and Urban Meyer Signed Items!

Farm Tour 1 - Spurlock Farm

Name

Company/Farm

Address

Farm Tour 2 - Sonny Russ Farm City

4:30 p.m. - Return to OARDC & depart for home.

Breakfast Sponsor

State

Zi p

E-mail Lunch Sponsor

Water Wagon Sponsor

Friday Dinner & Program Saturday Member - Program, lunch and tour Non-Member - Program, lunch and tour

$10 x

= $

$25 x $35 x

= $ = $

All non-members are required to pay $35. The additional $10 can be applied toward a 2017 introductory OCA membership of $60.

2017 OCA Membershi p ($50 if paying Non-Member rate) $60 = $ Total Cost = $ (Required to confirm registration)

Phone County

Program Speakers Sponsor

Ask for the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association rate

Registration Form for OCA Roundup - August 26 & 27, 2016

Ribeye Steak Sandwich Lunch - Prepared by the Jackson Co. Cattlemen Lunch sponsored by Union Stock Yards 12:30 p.m. - Load buses for tour: Tour Water supplied by Armstrong Ag & Supply

Be sure to book your rooms by August 19

Deadline for registration is Aug. 15, 2016. Return with payment to: OCA, 10600 US Highway 42, Marysville, OH 43040 Online registration also available at www.ohiocattle.org

Make checks payable to Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Please charge to my credit card

20 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

Sonny Russ Farms The Sonny Russ Farm is a family cattle backgrounding operation started in 1970. The farm featured as one of this year’s tour stops is located near Jackson and is predominantly a stocker operation. Each year Russ Farms backgrounds over 1,000 calves and grazes about 750 to 800 stocker calves. They also operate a small cow-calf herd. Their marketing system includes direct marketing, feeder calf sales, and retained ownership. The farm stockpiles fescue to extend their grazing season and uses frost seedings to improve the farm’s forage base.

OCA Policy & Event Update

Thank You to the Roundup Sponsors! Friday Evening Social Sponsors

Tour Stops

Visa

MasterCard

All registrations at the door will be at the non-member rate ($35)

Discover

Signature

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Expiration Date __ __ /__ __ Security Code __ __ __

Continued from page 12

OCA & OBC Welcome Summer Interns Samantha Boeck

Samantha Boeck from Cedarville, Ohio is the OCA Membership intern. She is a senior at The Ohio State University majoring in Agribusiness and Applied Economics with minors in Agronomy and Animal Science. On campus she’s actively involved in Saddle and Sirloin. Upon graduation in the spring she plans to pursue a career in livestock nutrition as a feed sales representative. She is the daughter of Tim and Mindy Boeck. Outside of school she is busy helping on the farm and has a small cow herd consisting of Chianina, Maine-Anjou and crossbred influenced females. Her main responsibilities for the summer include coordinating, planning and executing displays during the Ohio State Fair, Young Cattlemen’s Conference, and other events. “Raising and showing cattle through the BEST program has not only increased my passion for the beef industry, but the agriculture industry in general. I’m looking forward to using the skill set I can offer, but there’s also so much for me to learn about Ohio’s beef industry. This summer I want to make connections, gain knowledge, and experience that positions me to have a successful career in the agricultural industry upon graduation.”

Emily Henes

Emily Henes is serving as the Public Relations intern for the Ohio Beef Council this summer. She is the daughter of Jeff and April Henes of Orrville, Ohio. There she grew up on a small farm raising market sheep and swine projects. Actively involved in 4-H, FFA, and Wayne County Junior Fair Board, Emily developed a strong passion for the agricultural industry. With a background in photography and design, her intern responsibilities include social media pitching, ‘The Ring’ advertise-

22 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

ments, editorial pieces, coordinating and executing Ohio State Fair displays, and assisting with Young Cattlemen’s Conference, and other promotional events. Emily is a senior at The Ohio State University majoring in Agricultural Communications with a dual minor in both Agricultural Business and Animal Science. Emily is actively involved in Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority, Saddle and

Sirloin Club and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. “This summer I am most excited to expand my knowledge about the cattle industry, and the opportunity to work hands on with industry professionals. The experiences gained with the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association will help further my development in the agricultural industry and I am grateful for the opportunity.” v

Breed News manship, and exhibited a class winner with GARW Miss I80 234C 2CM in the Chianina ring. She was also a part of the 5th place Maine-Anjou Intermediate Fitting Team and showed a Bred & Owned heifer which finished Reserve in her respective MaineTainer division. Ali Muir was 5th in Senior Photography and 2nd in class with MCCF Dahlia 2CM in the Chianina show. She was named the Maine-Anjou Herdsman of the year, receiving a $5,000 scholarship for her achievement. Ali also placed 10th in the Maine-Anjou Photography contest and showed a Reserve Division Bred & Owned MaineTainer Female. Jared Cluxton, senior, was named 9th in Stockman’s Challenge. Caylee Sager finished in the top of several Maine-Anjou contests including 9th High Individual in the Junior division of the Judging Contest. Griffin Puckett rounded out the Top 10 in the Maine-Anjou Judging Contest Gavin Puckett was a part of the 7th Place Intermediate Maine-Anjou Fitting Team. Emma Yochum brought home the 2nd place honors in the Junior Maine-Anjou Photography Contest. Hannah Topmiller was elected as the Vice-President of the American Junior Maine-Anjou Association’s Board of Directors. Additionally, she showed a Division Champion Maine-Anjou Female, placed 5th in the Intermediate division of the Stockman’s Challenge, and was on the 7th place team in the Fitting Contest. Colby Manning was a part of the 5th place Maine-Anjou Fitting Team in the Intermediate division. Lili Dietrich finished 4th Overall in the Intermediate Maine-Anjou Poster Contest.

Abbie Collins placed 9th in Intermediate Maine-Anjou showmanship and exhibited the 5th Overall MaineTainer Female in the owned show and also had a Reserve Division Champion. Caitlin Schaub had a successful week in the Maine-Anjou arena, finishing 3rd in Intermediate showmanship and exhibiting the 3rd Overall High % Maine-

Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wooster, Ohio and the judge was Kim Davis. Champion Bull was awarded to Keayla Harr of Jeromesville with KH69X Manhattan CI. Haleigh Stephens of Ashland earned the title of Champion Steer with her calf, Red Rock. Champion Heifer and Champion Bred & Owned went to Emily Beanblossom of Bradford with HH Pearls Uno 576A. Emma Lewis of Litchfield was awarded the title of Champion Cow Calf with TNM 8094 Catalina 1240. In showmanship, Emily Beanblossom, Walker Dunn of Cochranton, PA, McKenna Baney of Navarre and Madelyn Baney of Navarre were the top individuals.

Caitlin Schaub exhibited the 3rd Overall High % MaineAnjou Feamle.

Switzerland of Ohio Polled Hereford Association Jr. Show

Anjou Female in the owned show, bred by Jones Show Cattle. 1st place in Photography honors and 5th in Showmanship for the Chianina breed went to Cole Hiser. Cole finished 3rd in the Senior Maine-Anjou Photography Contest, as well. Raelene Frame followed as 6th place Chianina showman in the senior division. She also finished with 7th place in the Maine-Anjou Judging Contest. Jessica Harsh had a successful final year with 5th in Stockman’s Challenge, Chianina Herdsman of the Year, as well as earning Reserve Grand Champion Chianina Female with Miss Affliction Rose 15C.

Miss Affliction Rose 15C was exhibited Jessica Harsh and earned the title of Reserve Grand Champion Chianina Female.

Hereford Happenings

Eastern Ohio Hereford Junior Show Earning 5th Overall MaineTainer Female was Abbie Collins.

On June 12, the Eastern Ohio Hereford Association hosted the Eastern Ohio Hereford Junior Show. It was held at the

On June 19, the Switzerland of Ohio Polled Hereford Association hosted their Junior Show in Caldwell, Ohio. Tim Van Horn of McConnellsville was the judge. In the steer division, McKenna Baney, Navarre, earned the title of Champion Prospect Steer. Champion Market Steer went to Alexis Shaw, Newcomerstown and Reserve Champion Market Steer went to Dylan Evoniuk, Dayton. Grant Helsinger, Germantown, was awarded the title of Grand Champion Bull. Reserve Champion Bull went to Madelynn Baney, Navarre. Kyndall Williams, Mount Gilead, won both Grand Champion Female and Reserve Grand Champion Female. Champion Bred & Owned went to Abbey Kellish, Newcomerstown. Kelsey Decker, Pickerington, took home the Reserve Champion Bred & Owned title. Keayla Harr, Jeromesville, won Champion Cow/Calf Pair and Reserve Champion Cow/Calf Pair went to Emma Lewis, Litchfield. In showmanship, Taylor Kellish, Newcomerstown, was Champion Senior Showman; Abbey Kellish was Champion Intermediate Showman; McKenna Baney, Navarre, was Champion Junior Showman; and Madelynn Baney was Champion Beginner Showman. v

Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 23

Dates to Remember: Ohio State Fair

Ohio CattleWomen Update

Nick Erf, 2016 Ohio Beef Ambassador

July 27-August 7 Ohio Cattleman Early Fall Advertising Deadline

August 12 YCC

August 18-20 OCA Roundup

August 26-27 Ohio Cattleman Late Fall Advertising Deadline

September 9 Call 614-873-6736 or email beef@ohiobeef.org for more info

Beef Briefs In Memoriam Dale F. Runnion

Bridging the Gap Hope everyone is having a great summer! I can’t believe it is fair season already! The Ohio CattleWomen are in the process of making plans for their state fair store. If you would like to work in the store, please call Amy Coffman 419-563-4889 or myself at 567-224-5946. Nick Erf, 2016 Ohio Beef Ambassador, is our guest writer for this issue. He shares highlights of the events and programs he has been involved in. - Darlene Wagner, Ohio CattleWomen President My name is Nick Erf and I am currently serving on the 2016 Ohio Beef Ambassador Team along with my fellow teammates, Samantha Norman and McKenzie Chamberlin. I grew up in the town of Bellevue, Ohio, located in Huron County. My family owns and operates a cattle feedlot operation consisting of Holstein steers. Working on the family farm influenced me to develop a passion for the beef industry while leading me to a chosen career path. Currently, I am a junior at The Ohio State University where I am working toward my Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. After obtaining this degree, I plan to return to the family farm as an assistant herd manager within the operation. With my degree, I will also seek to acquire a part-time occupation working for a livestock feed company.

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association pays tribute to Dale F. Runnion, Longmont, Colorado, a veteran livestock editor, publisher and Ohio native who passed away June 11. Runnion, 98, was a leader among America’s seedstock breeders and a noted breed promoter. Raised on a general livestock farm, Runnion was a 1939 graduate of The Ohio State University (OSU). At OSU he majored in animal husbandry and meat science and was a member of livestock judging teams for three years. Runnion had broad cattle business and beef publication experience. Upon graduation he started as a livestock buyer for the

Kroger Packing Co. and served in the Army in World War II, leaving with the rank of Major. Runnion began his career in livestock journalism in 1949 as field representative for the Chicago Drovers Journal. In 1952, he moved to the Aberdeen Angus Journal, where he rose from field man to advertising manager to managing editor. He presided over the publication during the biggest growth period in Angus history. In recognition of his accomplishments, Runnion was inducted into the prestigious Saddle and Sirloin Club in 1988. His portrait is among the world’s largest collection of individual portraits devoted to a single industry and resides at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville. He was President of the Livestock Publications Council, and France awarded him the Chevalier de l’Ordre du Merite Agricole. He was also inducted into the halls of fame of the North American Limousin Foundation, the American Angus Association and the

Ohio State University Animal Science Department. He was born Aug. 23, 1917, in Van Wert County, Ohio, to Lester and Velma Runnion. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, June; four children, two stepchildren, five grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. He championed current news in breed publications and introduced innovations to improve publication efficiency, but he was perhaps best known for the people he recruited, trained and inspired. He had the ability to recognize, cultivate and motivate talented individuals. Coming out of the Depression era, he was especially proud of giving young people a job opportunity and helping them toward a productive career. Memorial donations may be made to TRU Hospice Care, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026 or to Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, 10101 Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153, Attn: Dale F. Runnion Scholarship Fund. v

As a member of the Ohio Beef Ambassador Team, I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to educate the public on issues affecting the beef industry while sharing the importance of including beef in a daily diet. Samantha, McKenzie and myself have spoken to various schools giving a presentation called “Beefonomics.” This presentation strives to inform the youth about the steps involved from getting beef from the pasture to the consumer’s plate. It educates them on the nutritional value of beef and the many economic reasons beef can be chosen in a daily diet. The three of us also spent time at the Ohio Beef Expo in March where we talked with producers about how their beef checkoff dollars are invested to build additional beef demand. Recently, I attended the Ohio CattleWomen’s summer meeting where we had the opportunity to tour Hord Family Farms in Bucyrus, Ohio. This was a great way to interact with an active cattle producer in the state and see their management system. While our team has kept busy over the past months, we are excited to continue our work as fair season is upon us. Serving on this team is an opportunity to exercise my passion for the beef industry and develop skills that I will be able to utilize for years to come. v

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Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 25

Environmental Stewardship Award Pete Conkle expands family’s long-time conservation efforts

Story & photos by Amy Beth Graves

ete Conkle was helping a friend haul stock cows from a sale barn when he noticed a couple of bred cows in the mix. His friend wasn’t sure what he was going to do with them. Two days later that changed when Pete told him to drop them off at his family farm in Columbiana County. He figured the two cows could eat the grass in a small area that was fenced in and wasn’t suitable for crops. His father overheard the conversation on the phone and asked what was going on. His reaction was something that Pete would hear several times over the next few years. “He said ‘Oh for god’s sake, you went to college for four years and apparently you didn’t learn a thing’ -- that was the start of the cow-calf operation,” Pete laughed. Turns out Pete did learn a thing or two. Those two “Heinz 57 mix breed cows” became the start of a successful commercial cow-calf operation of about 50 Angus-based cows spread out over three farms. Conkle Family Farms of Hanoverton is the winner of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s 2016 Environmental Stewardship award. The irony is that after Pete went to college, he wasn’t interested in returning to the family farm and raising animals. His passion was wildlife and he got a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology 26 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

management from Ohio State University and spent time in South Dakota doing habitat management. While applying for graduate school to continue his wildlife studies, he got a call from a friend back home who said he needed help at his millwright operation for a few weeks. Three years later, Pete found himself still working there and starting to purchase cows. He’s still not sure why he made that initial purchase of those two bred cows in 1999 other than he liked the idea of grazing cattle. Today, it’s the sight and sound of the cows grazing on the hillside that brings calm to his life. “Hear the cows ripping up that grass? That’s what lowers my blood pressure,” he said as he watched them eat. Switching from a row crop operation to cattle wasn’t an easy process -- mainly because Pete had to persuade his dad that raising cattle in the hilly countryside was better than crops. “At first the cows weren’t real popular,” Pete said. “I had to use the outlying ground that couldn’t be cropped and then dad conceded a little bit that maybe the cows could stay and he gave me some outlying fields that we transitioned to grass. As the cow herd kept growing, eventually everything went to grass.” In late 2001, Pete got a call from the administrator of the Columbiana Soil and Water Conservation District. He was getting ready to step down from his

job and thought Pete would make a good candidate for the position because of his wildlife biology and farm background and his family’s longstanding conservation efforts. “It was a good fit for me because of my interests, and they were looking for somebody with roots in the community who would be willing to stay,” said Pete, who got the position and started in February 2002. Over the years, Pete has taken what he’s learned in the office and from the Eastern Ohio Grazing Council and applied it to his farm to help improve both the cattle and the land. He helped establish the grazing council in 2010 after seeing a strong interest in area pasture walks, which were drawing dozens of people. As Conklin Farm Farms started transitioning from crops to pasture, Pete focused on the soil’s micronutrients. He started adding chicken manure and sulfur to improve the grass. “The EPA did such a good job of decreasing the amount of sulfur from coal burning plants that we don’t have the sulfur any more and the grass really craves that,” he said. He unrolls round bales of hay “like a red carpet” to put nutrients back into the soil and has several heavy use pads, which help prevent wear and tear on the land. He’s putting up a new 66-foot

by 104-foot pen pack barn to house the younger cows in the winter. “The young stock don’t do as well in the winter because it takes more calories and feed for them to fend off the weather and avoid sickness,” he said. “We have weaned calves, bred heifers and an old cow group. Keeping just the old cows, and not all of them, outside in the winter will help the land and help keep down the nutrient runoff.” The farm does intensive grazing, rotating the cows out of the pasture every day and giving them access to just a little over an acre. “Every day they’re rotated out for conservation and doing so forces them to eat some of the stuff they never would normally like fescue and orchard grass instead of white clover, which they see as ice cream,” Pete said. Over the years, the family has put in about 3,500 feet of fencing around streams and also fenced out ponds and woodlots. They put in about 7,000 feet of 1-inch pressured water line, which allows the pasture to be divided up into more paddocks. They have four concrete spring-fed stock tanks that are used throughout the winter. At the advice of a friend, they put in shorter portable water tanks for the calves. “We sought out the smaller tanks and noticed that at seven to 10 days of age that the calves were going up and getting drinks in a buddy system. As long as the calves can see mom, they are willing to go and drink and you’re adding pounds in. That’s one of the things a mentor told us -- that you can add a lot of pounds with water.” Conkle Family Farms also works hard at maintaining its woodlots and removing invasive plants and trees and put in access roads with geotextile cloth and stone so it wouldn’t be tearing up the land with tractor ruts. The farm also has a comprehensive nutrient management plan. “I would be going out to farms and telling people they needed one and thought ‘We should do it too.’ It gives you a better idea of where those nutrients are going and where you need more nutrients. It puts another set of eyes on your farm, which is good,” he said. In 2006, Pete bought a Red Angus cow in South Dakota and quickly realized he wanted to focus on the breed. He found them to be good mothers, easy flushing and docile. They also seemed to tolerate the hot summers more than his black An-

gus cows, which was important because the farm didn’t have a barn at the time and all the woodlots were fenced out. “I kind of had my eye on them. I like to be different. Everything around here is black and I thought we’d like to try the reds,” said Pete, whose goal is to have a completely Red Angus herd and improve the genetics of the cattle. All the cows and heifers are grass fed and the calves fed grain after they are weaned. Sales are mostly to local producers. Pete still gets choked up when talking about receiving the environmental stewardship award. He’s passionate about his cattle operation and wildlife management efforts, and the family’s conservation efforts have helped increase wildlife on his farm. He says his passion for conservation has been handed down from the family. Every once in awhile he looks at aerial photos of the farm from 1938

when his grandparents bought it. The land was torn up by the plow back then, and his grandparents took hilly areas out of production and planted red pine and scotch pine and put in contour strips to help prevent erosion. “My name may be on the award but there’s a lot of history to our conservation efforts,” he said. “My dad always was a big advocate for conservation and I remember one day while in high school he took his pen knife and put it into one of his fields that had been no-tilled for years. He showed me how mellow that soil was. He then went to a farm that had been conventionally farmed and he couldn’t drive his knife into it. My dad deserves a lot of credit for instilling those conservation values to me. It was very moving to receive the award.” v

Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 27

Beef Briefs Poison Hemlock: “It’s Everywhere!” By: Stan Smith, OSU Extension, Fairfield County

A few weeks ago I posted a piece about identifying and controlling poison hemlock on the Fairfield County Extension Facebook page and the response I got back immediately was simply, “It’s everywhere!” Indeed, in recent years it seems to have become widespread throughout many Ohio counties, Fairfield included. Perhaps we are seeing it spreading most quickly in road and other right-of-ways that are difficult to mow and seldom ever sprayed with a herbicide. From there this noxious weed seems to be spreading into fence rows, barn lots, hay fields and areas of pasture fields that lack enough competition to keep it crowded out. Last week I received a note from a friend in Seneca County explaining he suspects Hemlock poisoning is what recently killed one of

CONVENTION

his three year old bulls. That said, let’s take a closer look at poison hemlock. hemlock1 Poison hemlock is a biennial member of the carrot family – Conium maculatum – which can cause respiratory failure and even death when ingested by livestock or humans. It’s a non-native invasive that may, at times, be confused with giant hogweed – Heracleum mantegazzianum – a plant with many similarities and also spreading in parts of Ohio. In fertile soils poison hemlock may easily grow up to 10 or 12 feet, producing small white flowers that are typical of the carrot family. The plant began flowering around Ohio a few weeks ago. The herb

has a smooth, purple-spotted stem; dark, glossy bluish-green fern-like triangular leaves. It has a fleshy white taproot. Both the leaves and roots have a disagreeable parsnip-like odor.HemlockRoad All parts of the plant are poisonous including the leaves, stems, seeds and roots. Simply handling the plant seldom causes a toxic reaction in humans, but ingest-

ing it through the eyes, open wounds, or orally causes poisoning. Perhaps poison hemlock’s most famous claim to fame was when it was used to execute Socrates in 329 B.C.HemlockFence The taste of the leaves and seeds of poison hemlock is unpleasant to livestock, so toxic quantities are seldom consumed when ample desirable feed is available for the animals. Cattle can usually survive poison hemlock if consumed in amounts less than 0.4% of their body weight (4 to 5 pounds for mature cows) although abortions are possible at lower rates. The toxicity of the plant changes little if fermented with silage or dried in hay. hemlock2 Being a biennial, poison hemlock is most easily controlled late in the fall after emergence. Crossbow, Banvel and 2,4-D are fairly effective on small poison hemlock even in the spring. Taller plants may need to be controlled with glyphosate. Mowing after the plants have bolted and before seed set will prevent seed production. v

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Visit www.AngusConvention.com to register or for more information. For an early registration of $75, you will get industry-leading education, an expansive trade show with more than 150 allied industry partners, entertainment including a Sawyer Brown concert, Certified Angus Beef® meals, and more. Sign up for the National Angus Tour on Nov. 4 for an additional $75. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, engage and enjoy at the event that is driving innovation and fueling leadership in the beef business.

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28 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

CONVENTION

Guard Rail

24’ Feed Bunk on Wheels

Continuous Fence Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 29

On the Edge of Common Sense

By Baxter Black, DVM

Vertical Integration There are those who say farming and ranching is a “way of life” more than it is a business. Which helps explain why young people who grow up in agriculture return to work on the farm. Working the land holds a strong lure. ‘Course, it also explains why young people who grow up in agriculture become architects and sailors! They remember the return-on-investment and want to be as far away from a tractor and a cow as they can be! Ray said he first became a rancher. He loved it but he found that he had to work all the bad days. They waited until it started snowing on the mountain before they gathered the cows. They spent frigid days ridin’ the high country chasin’ cows outta crevices and thickets, suffering stiff fingers, frozen toes and icicles in his moustache! He was often preg checking and shippin’ calves in a bone damp fall drizzle. He was calvin’ in snowdrifts, chainin’ up to feed the cows and choppin’ ice on Christmas morning. It was followed by brandin’ in the blowin’ dirt. Then, about the time they were ready to turn the cows and calves out, the weather got beautiful.

Are you

Tagged for Greatness? Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation License Plate Program Show your pride as an Ohio cattle producer and support Ohio’s youth by purchasing the Beef license plate. Plates are available through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. By purchasing an Ohio Beef license plate, you will be supporting the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarship Program and making a positive difference in the future of the industry by supporting those youth who have been “Tagged for Greatness.” The Beef plate will cost $25 annually, in addition to regular registration fees. With each Ohio Beef license plate sold, $15 goes directly to the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation. The plates are also available for commercial farm trucks. Call 1-866-OPLATES or visit www. OPLATES.com for more information. 30 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

So, he became a farmer. He enjoyed farming as much as ranching. But he found that in farming he had to work on all the good days! As soon as the birds started chirping, he was out in the field breakin’ ground. Planting as the springtime flowers bloomed. Spraying and cultivating in the heat of the summer when he should have been drinkin’ iced tea in the shade. Harvesting cut into his fishing. Then, he laid around the house all winter because it was too miserable to go outside! Finally, Ray had a stroke of genius. He decided to become a rancher/farmer combination! His brilliant solution to be a rancher on the good days and farmer on the bad days! This arrangement gave him time to organize his business. He eventually became vertically integrated. But as he prospered, his activities attracted an increasing number of folks who insisted on helping him. He couldn’t make a decision or a plan a move without facing a barrage of regulations administered by helpful bureaucrats, Before he could save himself, he went broke. He said, he realized too late, that vertical integration was just a means of doing business where the government could stick it to you ‘standing up’! www.baxterblack.com

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Calendar of Events

Welcome

Visit www.ohiocattle.org for a complete list of events

July

to the Allied Industry Council

Investing in Beef Safety, Nutrition and Promotion

Beef Month Comes to a Close

13-16 NCBA Summer Business Meeting, Denver, CO 27-31 Ohio State Fair, Columbus, Ohio

Big Ass Fans

FIL BOEUE NC

Your Beef Checkoff Dollars at Work

2014 Ohio Fall Feeder Cattle Sales

August 1-7 Ohio State Fair, Columbus, Ohio 12 Ohio Cattleman Early Fall Issue Advertising Deadline 18-20 Young Cattlemen’s Conference, Ohio 21 Ohio Shorthorn Breeders’ Picnic, Marion, Ohio 26-27 OCA Roundup, Jackson County

September 1 Best of the Buckeye Online Steer Sale - Consignment Deadline 9 Ohio Cattleman Late Fall Issue Advertising Deadline 15 OCA Award Nominations due 20-22 Farm Science Review, London, Ohio 29 Best of the Buckeye Online Steer Sale 29 Best of the Buckeye Online Heifer Sale - Consignment Deadline

October 1 OCA Board of Directors Nominations Due 15-16 Ohio Cattlemen’s Camp, London, Ohio 20 Best of the Buckeye Online Heifer Sale

Beef Month is a national initiative by the beef industry. OBC sought to bring consumers and producers together throughout the month of May to share their love for beef. This effort was highlighted by a social media contest that invited consumers to share how they enjoy beef, and had producers share how they raise beef. The contest received more than 500 entries, and reached over half a million people on social media. Local groups from across the state also helped celebrate Beef Month by utilizing the OBC’s County Promotion Grant Program. Four groups received funding for local, grassroots events that helped educate consumers about beef production and nutrition. By the numbers: • Twitter Party 10,000 Tweets and 9.8 Million Potential Impressions • New videos debuted and received more than 95,000 views • Social Media Contest: 500+ submissions, reached 590,000 users on Facebook - #ohiobeef • 4 Grassroots Events funded through County Promotions Grants

Ohio Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Tour

The Ohio Beef Council, in collaboration with American Dairy Mideast, the Ohio Pork Council and the Ohio Poultry Association hosted nutritionists and dietary professionals in conjunction with their state conference. This Pasture to Plate event gave 30 attendees a chance to visit the Ohio State University’s Beef and Dairy operations. After talking briefly about production practices, attendees had the chance to engage with farm managers in a question and answer session to help address specific concerns they may have. Topics covered were food safety, sustainability, the use of antibiotics and hormones in beef. Response was extremely positive and attendees spoke highly of what they learned the following day at the state conference. Connecting with these professionals is critical to helping keep beef in the conversation of a healthy, balanced diet as they engage with their clients and patients.

Prostart Ohio Invitational

New Philadelphia, Ohio • Jay & Sally Puzacke, Owners

330/343.0388

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OBC helped six Pro-Start schools come together for the 25th Annual Ohio Invitational. This culinary competition puts Pro-Start students to the test through a variety of challenges including menu creation, food safety, food preparation and cooking a prepared dish. Winning teams

had the chance to compete in a “pro-am” the next day which featured beef on both menus. The Pro-Start program helps set the skills foundation necessary to have a successful career in the food industry.

Developing a Strategic Plan for Research

On June 7th the Ohio Beef Council Board of Directors participated in a two hour seminar surrounding how to best plan and invest in beef research. Mandy Carr-Johnson, Ph.D., senior executive director, Science and Product Solutions, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association lead board members through a presentation that helped them better identify priorities the Ohio beef industry has for research. By providing examples of current programs being conducted around the country, and explaining the process to get research projects off the ground, it allowed greater insight into how Ohio will invest in research in the future. Research that could be funded encompasses studies relative to beef nutrition value, market development, new product development and other food science related research. v

The Ohio Beef Council and the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board are responsible for developing programs that increase the demand for beef. For more information, contact the Ohio Beef Council at 614-873-6736, beef@ohiobeef.org or visit www.ohiobeef.org. Ohio Beef Council Operating Committee: Bev Roe, Hamilton, Chairman • Jamie Graham, Patriot, Vice Chairman Sam Roberts, South Charleston, Treasurer • Jim Beattie, Greenwich • Henry Bergfeld, Summitville • Kathy Davis, Perrysville • Steve DeBruin, Millersport Dave Felumlee, Newark • Randy Hollowell, Covington • Brent Porteus, Coshocton • Todd Raines, Seaman • Allan Robison, Cable Bill Sexten, Washington C.H. • Neil Siefring, Coldwater • Tom Turner, Somerset • Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director 32 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

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and other forbs for monarchs and other pollinators. • Landscaping planted to trees, shrubs, and forbs beneficial to pollinators. Replace non-native landscaping with native pollinator friendly plants. • Turf to Pollinator Habitat: Consider taking a portion of your large yard and converting it pollinator habitat.

Pollinator Habitat Establishment

What’s the Deal with Pollinators? T

he talk of “pollinators” has been in headlines, magazines, TV, and social media. What’s the buzz about? Scientists are trying to tell us that honeybee and wildlife pollinator species, like the monarch butterfly and native bees are suffering dramatic population losses. Why is this happening? The common contributor among all of these species is the loss of pollinator habitat.

What is pollinator habitat?

Pollinator habitat is a diverse array of plant species (herbaceous and woody) blooming throughout the growing season to supply nectar and pollen for pollinator species. In these habitats, broadleaf flowering plants dominate these areas. Herbaceous broadleaf plants are known as “forbs” or “wildflowers”.

Why are pollinators so important?

Pollinators are animals that provide the essential “ecosystem service” of pollination. Scientists estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal pollinators like; bees, butterflies, moths, birds, bats, beetles and other insects. In addition, three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants depend on pollinators to reproduce. Most fruit, vegetable, seed crops, and other plants that provide fiber, medicines, and fuel are pollinated by animals. To top it all off, the annual value of insect-pollinated

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crops in North America is over 29 billion. Whether you are a farmer or a homeowner, pollinator health affects us all.

Why has pollinator habitat decreased?

Many reasons contribute to this. Among them are “clean” farming practices. Many crop field edges and fencerows populated with forbs and flowering shrubs are now gone. Excessive mowing does not help pollinators. Whether you are mowing the side ditch, an oversized yard, or field edges, excessive mowing might make your place look nice, but it does nothing beneficial for pollinators. Urban/suburban development has replaced pastures, hay fields, and trees with concrete, houses, and turf. While some of these changes are necessary for us all to progress as a society, it is important to take a good hard look at our landscape. Can we improve it for pollinators and still make it look nice? Can we help pollinators and boost our crop yields, improve forage quality, and

benefit from secondary crops like honey production? Absolutely! Below are just a few pollinator habitat improvement practices you can try. • Field Borders planted to native grasses and forbs. The US Dept. of Agriculture offers financial assistance to do this via the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). • Windbreaks/Hedgrows planted to trees, shrubs, and forbs. (USDA funding available) • Selective Mowing: Be selective when mowing pastures and idle fields. Leave clumps of milkweed

Pollinators prefer native plants (i.e. purple coneflower) over non-natives (daylilies). This is why it is important to use natives when establishing pollinator habitat. This can be a difficult task when planting seed because perennial natives take a long time to mature. Natives are deep rooted and put a lot of its resources into root growth before putting on a lot of top growth. It is important to practice the 3 P’s… Planning, Patience, and Persistence. Plan you seed mix, site selection and preparation, planting and maintenance. Be patient! Native perennials don’t just pop right out of the ground and bloom the first year. Be persistent with monitoring and maintenance of your planting. For more information about pollinator habitat establishment, visit the OPHI website habitat section at http://www.ophi.info/habitat.html.

The Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative

A new statewide effort to promote pollinator habitat conservation is up and running. The effort is known as the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative

(OPHI). Both government and non-government partners have come together to provide education, outreach, hands on conservation/native seed collections and technical assistance to all that have an interest in pollinators and protecting our food supply. OPHI is pleased to announce the 2016 Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI) Symposium to be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2016, at the Rhodes Building at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. Visit these links for more information. Attendees: http://ohio.apwa.net/ EventDetails/9036 Vendors: http://ohio. apwa.net/EventDetails/9037. For more information about the OPHI, visit their website at http:// www.ophi.info/home. html or like them on Facebook. v

Technical Assistance Contact any of the following resources below to get technical assistance with pollinator habitat. • ODNR-Division of Wildlife Private Lands Biologists, http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/ private-lands-management Phone: Local district office or 1-800 WILDLIFE • Natural Resources Conservation Service and Pheasants Forever, contact your local Ag Service Center and Conservation Office USDA Program Information • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/oh/ programs/financial/eqip/ • Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/economic-andpolicy-analysis/natural-resources-analysis/pollinators/index

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Correction

Beef Briefs

In the Spring edition of the Ohio Cattleman, there was an error in the Expo Junior Show Results. Division 5 Reserve Champion Crossbred Steer was actually awarded to Adam Widman, Crawford County. We sincerely apologize for this mistake.

Flinn Named Anchor/Reporter for Brownfield Ohio

Brownfield Ag News recently announced Andrew Flinn is joining the Brownfield team as the Ohio Anchor/ Reporter. “Andrew’s years of experience covering news and agriculture for local radio stations in Ohio makes him a great addition to the Brownfield team,” says Cyndi Young-Puyear, Director of Brownfield & Ag Operations. Flinn came to Brownfield after 15 years reporting news and agriculture in his home state of Ohio. He spent 14 of those years with Brownfield affiliate WKTN in Kenton. Andrew Flinn is a graduate of the University of Findlay. Andrew is a former member of the Hardin County 4-H Advisory Board, Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame Committee and the Hardin County Ag Council. Brownfield Ag News creates and delivers original content across multiple media platforms. Brownfield includes the largest and one of the oldest agricultural news radio networks in the country. Ohio Brownfield has 41 affiliated radio station partners. More information is available at www.brownfieldagnews.com. v

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Parting Shots

Advertisers’ Index American Angus Association ........................... 28 Amos Livestock Equipment............................... 29 Armstrong Ag & Supply...................................... 36

When a long list of chores stretch out in front of you, hit them head on with some big muscle.

Bayer......................................................................5

That’s where the 6M shines. It’s the mid-spec utility tractor built to stand toe to toe with big jobs on hardworking beef and dairy operations. No complaints, no quitting, no slowing down.

Buckeye Hereford Association.......................... 31 Central States Testing....................................... 29 Clark Family........................................................ 36 Dickinson Cattle Co........................................... 31 John Deere.......................................................... 39 Kalmbach............................................................ 40 Kent..................................................................... 37

In a world full of nails, bring the hammer.

Multimin.............................................................. 29

There were over 600 people in attendance to celebrate the 17th year of the BEST Program at the banquet on May 7.

The numbers tell the story … up to 10,696 (4850 kg) pounds of hitch lift capacity, a maximum of 30 gpm (113 lpm) of pressure and flow compensated hydraulic power, and a full-frame chassis designed to stand up to all the heavy-duty lifting, loading and carrying you’ve got to get done. The new 6M. Available in 110 to 195 engine horsepower. With three available transmissions – including the new CommandQuad™ for increased operator convenience, additional working speeds, and more efficiency. And enough guts to go the distance.

Novak Town Line Farm....................................... 31 O’Connor Farms Limousin................................. 31 Ohio Beef Council..................................................2 Reed & Baur Insurance Agency........................ 31

Talk to your dealer about powering up and getting more done … with the new 6M.

Saltwell Western Store...................................... 32 Tara Verde Farms................................................ 31 Valentine Farms................................................. 31 Vitaferm.............................................................. 25

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association had the opportunity to serve beef during the Ohio State Football Champion’s Dinner.

OCA members, Fred and Leslie Kungl, helped serve the Ohio State Freshmen football players and were able to snap a quick picture with head coach, Urban Meyer.

Elizabeth Harsh, OCA Executive Director, and Tom Karr, OCA Director, attended a fundraiser for Congressman Bill Johnson. 38 x Ohio Cattleman x Summer Issue 2016

More power. More getting work done. JohnDeere.com/6M Summer Issue 2016x Ohio Cattleman x 39

SHOW FEEDS formulaofchampions.com • (800) 472-9507 • Like us on Facebook!

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Fueled by Kalmbach Feeds!