Winter 2021

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2 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021


Winter 2021

Official Publication of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association

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10

18 30

Features 8

OCA Kicks Off BEST Season

18 OCA Industry Service Award

10 OCA Commercial Cattleman of the Year

Editorial

News & Notes

Reference

4

Harsh Realities

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32

Calendar of Events

6

OCA News & Views

33

Allied Industry Council

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Forage Corner

20 Your Checkoff Dollars at Work

34

Parting Shots

34

Advertisers’ Index

12 On the Edge of Common Sense 26

The Ruff Review

OCA News

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Beef Briefs

24

Breed News

28

NCBA News

On the Cover Photo taken by Garrett Stanfield of Stanfield Farms in Adams County. Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 3


Harsh Realities

Ohio Cattleman 10600 U.S. Highway 42 Marysville, Ohio 43040 Phone 614-873-6736 • Fax 614-873-6835 www.ohiocattle.org cattle@ohiocattle.org Editor Elizabeth Harsh

Ohio Cattleman magazine (USPA: 020-968, ISSN: 1543-0588) 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 Winter issue is 3,030. 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.

Advertising

To schedule advertising write to: Ohio Cattleman, 10600 US Highway 42, Marysville, Ohio 43040, or call 614873-6736. All advertising material for the Expo Issue must be received by February 3, 2021.

Ohio Cattleman Advertising Rates

$345 $175 $105 $50

Ohio Cattlemen’s Association members will receive a 10% discount when advertising their farm products, such as cattle, hay, corn, etc. ...

Call today to place your ad: 614-873-6736

THE VALUE OF NORMAL As we approach the end of this history-making year, most are anxious to close the door on 2020 and are looking to the New Year with renewed optimism. Cattle families share an optimistic attitude for 2021 mostly because that’s who we are, but we also share the desire for life to return to normal. That includes returning to normal family holiday celebrations that are so special at this time of year.

Managing Editor Hanna Fosbrink

Full Page $460 2/3 Page 1/2 Page $260 1/3 Page 1/4 Page $145 1/8 Page Business Card $65 Classified Ad Four Color $270 One Additional Color $90

By Elizabeth Harsh, Ohio Cattleman Editor

Normal is different for everyone, but for cattle producers that are essential not only during a pandemic but every day, 2020 was far from normal and full of its share of difficulties. These started with dramatic market disruptions, accompanying price disparities and frustration over the need for greater price discovery. As the year continued, we dealt with cattle marketing backlogs and with the cancelation of one event after the other. On March 12 when the Ohio Beef Expo was cancelled, I’d wager no one on the Expo planning committee or the OCA board of directors could foresee what the year held in store. As an industry we quickly learned the importance of maintaining cattle marketing opportunities for all segments of our essential industry.

Committees are once again in the middle of planning for the Ohio Beef Expo and no one has a crystal ball to see the future or determine if the 2021 Expo will look different. However, there is a strong commitment to continue the Expo as close to normal as possible and to ensure the Expo’s breed sales, that are an important source of farm income, are live, in-person auctions. OCA looks forward to working with our seedstock producer members and sale managers to make that happen. But before OCA can host another Ohio Beef Expo, it must still climb another COVID mountain or two. As this magazine heads to the printer, COVID conditions and concern for the safety of our members has forced the OCA board of directors to postpone the OCA annual meeting originally scheduled for January 9. While the event had already been reformatted to include additional safety measures and to focus on the business of the association, the prudent decision was made to postpone the annual meeting and include it with another OCA event in 2021. OCA looks forward to virtually recognizing the seven OCA award winners throughout January that would have be honored during the event. Two of these deserving award recipients are featured in this issue, the OCA Industry Service award winner Denny Ruff of Muskingum Livestock Sales Co. and OCA Commercial Producers of the Year Shugert Farms - Bob and Dwight Shugert and Steve and Stephanie Harris of Belmont County. The Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation will continue their scholarship presentations and will recognize these talented young people virtually. Thanks to the sales of the Ohio Beef license plate, the Foundation can continue the scholarship program and recognize nearly 25 industry youth despite the cancellation of fundraising events like the Cattlemen’s Gala.

As we yearn for our lives to return to normal, when they do, I hope we treasure that regularity and avoid taking for granted what was routine in the past. That includes supporting OCA, who is working for the betterment of Ohio’s cattle industry. Become a membership advocate and encourage your fellow cattle friends and neighbors to join OCA as well. Attend industry events, buy license plates and attend fundraisers like the Cattlemen’s Gala to strengthen youth scholarship programs. I keep wondering how with a few years distance 2020 will be remembered. Let’s hope in some small way it is remembered as the year we learned to value normal. 4 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021


When it comes to treating BRD—

HOOK IT UP

ANADA 200-591, Approved by FDA

Handy and convenient — and with the same active ingredient as the name brand.

Norbrook Norfenicol® is a first-choice, broad-spectrum antibiotic for control and treatment of BRD. Packaged with a unique hanger bottle, just hook it up on the chute and move cattle through to deliver benefits over Nuflor®, like:

For intramuscular and subcutaneous use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only.

• Less viscous and more syringeable

BRIEF SUMMARY (For full Prescribing Information, see package insert.)

• Unbreakable plastic bottles

INDICATIONS: Norfenicol is indicated for treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni, and for the treatment of foot rot. Also, it is indicated for control of respiratory disease in cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with M.haemolytica, P. multocida, and H. somni.

• Shorter Sub-Q withdrawal prior to slaughter Contact your veterinarian or visit NORBROOK.COM

orfenicol

®

(florfenicol)

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use in animals that have shown hypersensitivity to florfenicol.

www.norbrook.com Observe label direction and withdrawal times. Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. For use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only. Not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 28 days of the last intramuscular treatment or within 33 days of subcutaneous treatment. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Intramuscular injection may result in local tissue reaction which may result in trim loss at slaughter. See product labeling for full product information, including adverse reactions. The Norbrook logos are registered trademarks of Norbrook Laboratories Limited. Norfenicol is a registered trademark of Norbrook Laboratories Limited. Nuflor is a registered trademark of Merck Animal Health. 1020-591-I01B

PUB: Ohio Cattleman SIZE: 7.625” x 5” BLEED: NO 1/2 page horizontal

OCA Annual Meeting

ANADA 200-591, Approved by FDA

POSTPONED

The OCA Annual Meeting scheduled for Jan. 9, 2021 has been postponed until further notice due to current COVID regulations and restrictions. Stay tuned for more information on the new date on our website and social media! www.ohiocattle.org

For intramuscular and subcutaneous use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only. BRIEF SUMMARY (For full Prescribing Information, see package insert.) INDICATIONS: Norfenicol is indicated for treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni, and for the treatment of foot rot. Also, it is indicated for control of respiratory disease in cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with M.haemolytica, P. multocida, and H. somni. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use in animals that have shown hypersensitivity to florfenicol. NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Can be irritating to skin and eyes. Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. In case of accidental eye exposure, flush with water for 15 minutes. In case of accidental skin exposure, wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Consult physician if irritation persists. Accidental injection of this product may cause local irritation. Consult physician immediately. The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about Norfenicol with your veterinarian. For customer service, adverse effects reporting, or to obtain a copy of the MSDS or FDA-approved package insert, call 1-866-591-5777. PRECAUTIONS: Not for use in animals intended for breeding. Effects on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy,

NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Can be irritating to skin and eyes. Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. In case of accidental eye exposure, flush with water for 15 minutes. In case of accidental skin exposure, wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Consult physician if irritation persists. Accidental injection of this product may cause local irritation. Consult physician immediately. The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about Norfenicol with your veterinarian. For customer service, adverse effects reporting, or to obtain a copy of the MSDS or FDA-approved package insert, call 1-866-591-5777. PRECAUTIONS: Not for use in animals intended for breeding. Effects on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and lactation have not been determined. Intramuscular injection may result in local tissue reaction which persists beyond 28 days. This may result in trim loss at slaughter. Tissue reaction at injection sites other than the neck is likely to be more severe. RESIDUE WARNINGS: Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 28 days of the last intramuscular treatment. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 33 days of subcutaneous treatment. Not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows as such use may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows. A withdrawal period has not been established in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. ADVERSE REACTIONS: Inappetence, decreased water consumption, or diarrhea may occur transiently. Manufactured by: Norbrook Laboratories Limited, Newry, BT35 6PU, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. The Norbrook logos and Norfenicol ® are registered trademarks of Norbrook Laboratories Limited.

Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 5


OCA Officers

President • Aaron Arnett Vice President • Kyle Walls Treasurer • Linde Sutherly Past President • Sasha Rittenhouse

OCA News & Views By Aaron Arnett, OCA President

MEANING OF THE SEASON

OCA Directors

Tom Karr Director At-Large Pomeroy • Term expires 2021 Bill Tom Director At-Large Washington C.H. • Term expires 2023 J.L. Draganic Director At-Large Wakeman • Term expires 2022 Jaymes Maciejewski District 1 New Bavaria• Term expires 2023 Kelvin Egner District 2 Shelby • Term expires 2021 John Ferguson District 3 Chardon • Term expires 2022 Mark Goecke District 4 Spencerville • Term expires 2023 Frank Phelps District 5 Belle Center • Term expires 2021 Pam Haley District 6 West Salem • Term expires 2022 Brad Thornburg District 7 Barnesville • Term expires 2023 Linde Sutherly District 8 New Carlisle • Term expires 2021 Jim Jepsen District 9 Amanda • Term expires 2022 Sarah Ison District 10 Moscow • Term expires 2023 Lindsey Hall District 11 Hillsboro • Term expires 2021 Luke Vollborn • District 12 Bidwell • Term expires 2022

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 Ron Windnagel Director of Accounting & Operations Hanna Fosbrink Manager of Communications & Managing Editor Ashley Dentinger Manager of Consumer Programs & Digital Marketing Karigan Blue BEST Program Coordinator

6 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

The leadership of OCA enjoyed a busy fall with much to be thankful for despite a challenging year for the beef industry. In October, the OCA officer team joined OCA staff on a two-day tour of several operations in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio. We appreciate the hospitality of producers and allied industry partners representing backgrounding, commercial cow/calf, seedstock, beef packing and the restaurant sectors of the beef industry. The windshield time was valuable, and the perspective gained from these producer interactions will help our service to OCA in policy and program development. If you have not done so already, please complete your 2021 membership renewal online at ohiocattle.org and follow the instructions under the Membership tab. Through the end of the year, if you renew your membership and purchase a second membership for a friend or neighbor, you will receive a complimentary EAT BEEF front license plate mailed to either you or your membership gift recipient. Remember OCA is a non-profit organization that can exist only with a strong membership base. If you have any questions about the structure of OCA, use of membership dollars, or any other inquiries, please feel free to reach out to me, the OCA office, or any of our board members with questions and comments. Research suggests that purchasing replacement females is usually the most cost-effective way to replace animals in a commercial beef herd, with lower costs than raising replacements from within the operation. There are several considerations needed to determine if this is the correct approach for each operation, but the OCA Replacement Female Sale has garnered a strong reputation for superior females and this year was no exception. In my opinion, this year’s sale contained as many high-quality, well-bred cattle as we have ever offered, and the prices reflected it. There are a great number of people who deserve thanks for their time and talent invested in making this sale a success over the years, including board members like Pam Haley and others. I want to convey OCA’s special gratitude to John Grimes who completed his tenure as sale coordinator with this year’s sale. Over the years John has been instrumental in organizing consignments, mentoring consignors and buyers, capturing sale data and videos, coordinating sale day logistics and is largely responsible for growing the sale into the anticipated event it has become today. On behalf of all OCA members, “thank you John!” This has been a trying year on so many aspects of our lives and I wish each of you continued resilience and perseverance that I know exists at the foundation of Ohio’s cattle families. In a year that was stripped of so many activities, including the Beef Expo, Ohio State Fair, Cattlemen’s Gala, and postponement of the 2021 OCA Annual Meeting, I want to thank our members, the OCA staff and our board of directors for their solidarity in seeing Ohio’s premier beef cattle organization through some tough times. We continue to push for safe re-opening of industry events as conditions allow and we will keep you updated via social media, membership update emails, website and print media as hopefully 2021 brings greater clarity to the opportunities ahead. As we turn the corner into winter, I want to share a Christmas blessing with you and the hope that lies in the meaning of this season. May this Christmas bring you great joy and a brightness that lasts throughout the new year.


Forage Corner Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator, Noble County

MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS FOR WARM-SEASON PERENNIALS During my graduate program at The University of Tennessee there was a defined interest in utilizing warm-season perennial grasses as grazing pasture for beef cattle. One of the greatest influences for this interest is persistence during high heat and drought tolerance. The same could be applied for Ohio. Although our number of growing degree days are fewer than producers have in the South, we are still capable of incorporating warm-season perennials into our grazing systems. We also experience periods of high heat and drought. Our typical sources of grazing pastures are cool-season grasses (ex: tall fescue, orchardgrass, ryegrass, timothy) and legumes (ex: white clover, red clover, alfalfa), which are much less hardy than the grasses discussed here. Part of the reason is the way the plants photosynthesize (a.k.a. turn light into food), how they utilize water in the process, and differences in structural growth. Warm-season grasses are more efficient photosynthesizers, however the forage they produce in the process is of lesser nutritive value than cool-season grasses. The tradeoff can be worthwhile in times of stress, on marginal sites, remediation, and for wildlife enthusiasts. Forage of less than ideal nutritive value that is available is more valuable to grazing livestock than no forage at all. The greatest advantages of including warm-season perennials in a grazing system are the ability to combat “summer-slump”-the time in mid-summer when our cool-season plants tend to go dormant until cooler, wetter weather returns, drought tolerance when water is scarce, and the ability to extend the grazing season, which in turn means feeding less hay.

In addition, warm-season perennial grasses produce large amounts of dry matter for animals to consume with little inputs. Fertilizer needs are low, water needs are low, there are few pests or pathogens that are threats, and they can withstand vast changes in weather. Some of the limitations of establishing these grasses are lack of available improved varieties for specific regions, slow establishment rates, they mature quickly, and they cannot tolerate close grazing. Although animal intake is typically lower for these grasses than we see with our traditional options, animal intake and weight gain can still be sufficient for achieving production goals when managed for both the plant and animals’ success.

Not all species and varieties of warm-season perennial grasses are created equal. Research available varieties suited for your conditions, buy high quality seed, and start with good seedbed preparation. One of the greatest struggles of managing these grasses is weed control. Start clean of weeds and stay clean to hasten establishment. Here are some of the details of the four most common warm-season perennial grasses:

Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 7


OCA News OCA KICKS OFF BEST SEASON The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) is excited to kick off the 202021 BEST (Beef Exhibitor Show Total) show season with the following sponsoring partners: AgPro Companies and John Deere, Bob Evans Farms, Farm Credit Mid-America, Frazier Farms, M.H. Eby, Inc., Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, D&E Electric – the Young Family, Weaver Leather Livestock, Dickinson Cattle Company, The Folks Printing, Jones Show Cattle and RD Jones Excavating. BEST is a youth development program of OCA that recognizes Ohio’s junior beef exhibitors for participation and placings through a series of sanctioned cattle shows that include showmanship competitions, educational contests and leadership opportunities. Juniors who participate in these sanctioned shows earn points for their placings. Points are tabulated for cattle, showmanship, registered Bred & Owned animals and first or second year BEST participants in a separate Novice division for market animals, heifers and showmanship. Additionally, there is a separate points division for cattle bred, born and raised in Ohio – the Buckeye Breeders Series (BBS). BBS will replace the former Best of the Buckeye program and will run throughout the BEST show season with increased recognition opportunities for BBS breeders and exhibitors. BBS breeders will be entered in a drawing to win a year’s use of a John Deere gator, sponsored by AgPro Companies and John Deere, and BBS exhibitors will be entered to win a year’s use of an EBY livestock trailer, sponsored by M.H. EBY. The winners will be drawn at the BEST Awards Banquet in May. All points are tabulated and posted on the association’s website at www. ohiocattle.org. 8 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

As the BEST program prepares to kick off its’ season, the program’s leadership has kept the focus on maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Masks will be required to be worn in all public areas and social distancing will be in place at all shows. Exhibitors may only be accompanied by immediate family members and spectators will be prohibited. In addition, all exhibitors will be required to sign a one-time agreement as an added COVID safety precaution. More information on the program’s COVID safety plan can be found on the OCA website. Exhibitors must have a $75 family OCA membership to participate in the BEST program or to show at any of the BEST sanctioned shows. A one time $60 per head nomination fee will also be required to be in the BEST program. The 2020-21 OCA BEST Season is as follows: • AGR Alumni Holiday Classic - Circleville, Ohio – December 12-13 • Scarlet & Gray Midwest Showdown – Springfield, Ohio – January 2-3 • The Weekend Spectacular – Marion, Ohio – January 16-17 • Clark County Cattle Battle – Springfield, Ohio – January 30-31 • DTS Cupid Classic – Springfield, Ohio – February 13-14 • Holmes County Preview – Millersburg, Ohio – March 6-7 • Ohio Beef Expo – Columbus, Ohio – March 19-21 • BEST Awards Banquet – Columbus, Ohio – May 1 The Stockmanship division will be continuing with new competitions for this year. This division of the BEST program provides a pathway for youth to participate in the BEST program without showing an animal. It ex-

pands BEST participants’ knowledge of cattle and provides youth with an opportunity to showcase their abilities and talents outside of the show ring. Registration for the first three Stockmanship competitions will be included with the BEST nomination fee. The last two contests will have additional registration fees. Individuals may sign up for the Stockmanship program at any point throughout the season. Stockmanship participants may sign up for contests on the OCA website. The following are the 2020-21 Stockmanship Contests: • Public Speaking - held at the Scarlet & Gray Midwest Showdown – Saturday, January 2, 2021 • Salesmanship - held at the Weekend Spectacular – Saturday, January 16, 2021 • Fitting Contest - held at the DTS Cupid Classic – Sunday, February 14, 2021 • Judging Contest - held at the Ohio Beef Expo – Friday, March 29, 2021 Along with shows and competitions, the BEST program takes a focus on cultivating an atmosphere of character and leadership. The program’s annual community service efforts and character trait awards help to develop exceptional leaders in and out of the show ring. This year’s community service partner is the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC). BEST participants are encouraged to collect pop tabs, volunteer at RMHC and participate in the Celebrity Showdown. The Celebrity Showdown will be hosted Friday, January 30, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at the Champion’s Center in Springfield in conjunction with the Clark County Cattle Battle. All pop


tabs collected by BEST participants are turned in at the BEST Awards Banquet where the top collector will be awarded. OCA and sponsoring partner, Weaver Livestock, have teamed up to recognize individuals that display extraordinary character, no matter their age. Any OCA member, BEST participant or their parents may nominate other cattlemen, breeders and exhibitors for any of the Character Trait awards to be awarded at the end of the nomination period. Character Trait nominations for the 2020-21 season will open at www.ohiocattle.org on December 12 and close on April 1, 2021. Nominations will be evaluated by a committee and awarded during the BEST program awards banquet. ALL cattle being shown in a BEST sanctioned show MUST be tagged with an electronic identification (EID) ear tag prior to arriving at their first BEST show. To obtain farm EID tags, exhibitors must first obtain a Premise ID number through

the state’s Department of Agriculture – Animal Division. Once the Premise ID is received, contact an animal health product distributor and purchase EID tags. Visit best.ohiocattle. org to learn more about applying for a farm’s Premise ID before ordering EID tags. BEST nominations and ALL show entries must be made online at best. ohiocattle.org. The website is now open for the 2020-21 BEST season. Each exhibitor, BEST and non-BEST, will create a unique user account and record their cattle along with that account. Exhibitors who have participated in the program in previous years are able to keep their existing username and password. Exhibitors may complete this portion of the sign-up process now and show entries can be made starting on the Monday prior to each BEST show until the closure of check-in at each event. The program concludes with an annual awards banquet held in May where over 275 awards will be pre-

sented valued at over $100,000. All BEST participants that sign up for the program will receive a sign-up gift as a special incentive. Additionally, sponsoring partner, M.H. Eby, awards a lucky BEST participant a one-year use of a livestock trailer at the awards banquet. BEST participants earn a ticket into the trailer drawing for each time they exhibit a nominated animal at a BEST-sanctioned show. First or second year Novice participants are also entered into a novice-only drawing for a grooming chute, donated by Weaver Leather Livestock. For the 2020-21 show schedule or for more information regarding the BEST program, visit www.ohiocattle. org/best or contact the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association at 614-873-6736 or email cattle@ohiocattle.org. Be sure to join the OCA BEST Program Facebook group for current updates and information.

Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 9


OCA Commercial Cattleman of the Year Partnerships keep Shugert Farms running and growing Story & Photos by Amy Beth Graves For Bob Shugert, a new land purchase is like a giant jigsaw puzzle. Map in hand, he likes to ride through a new piece of property, figuring out the lay of the land and how to divide it up. He’s got a lot of puzzle pieces to put in place – which spot is best for building working facilities, which areas are prime for adding springs, which sections need brush hogged to remove invasive plants and where to place the fences so the cattle flow into the corral with minimal effort. “I love taking a bare piece of ground that has nothing on it and figuring out how to make it work with you and not against you. I really enjoy going into a new piece of land and seeing it develop from start to finish. You get bored doing the same old thing and you’ve got to find something new,” said Bob who runs a large cattle operation in eastern Ohio and Nebraska that is the 2021 recipient of the Ohio Cattleman’s Commercial Cattleman of the Year award. Bob is a man of motion, stopping rarely except for the occasional meal and always looking for the next opportunity to expand. He’s been doing this ever since he graduated from college and returned to the family farm in Guernsey County, determined to be 10 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

his own boss and start his own cattle operation. Today, the size of Shugert Farms is impressive – about 3,000 cows spread out over thousands of acres in eastern Ohio counties and Nebraska. The cattle are mostly Leachman Stabilizer and primarily a Simmental-Angus cross. Bob’s partners in the cattle operation are Steve and Stephanie Harris, his brother Dwight and Jake and Janice Wolfinger who run the Nebraska side of the business. Running such a large cattle operation can be challenging but Bob wouldn’t have it any other way. “My parents were both self-employed farmers and never had off-thethe farm jobs and I never had interest in anything else,” he said. Bob knew from the get-to that he only wanted to work for one person – himself. While at Ohio State University pursuing an animal science degree, he skipped all internship and job opportunities and headed straight back to the 800-acre family farm after getting his degree. He started buying or renting nearby land and purchasing cattle and in just six to seven years, he was running about 200 head of cows. “I had about 200 cows on seven different places and was trying to do

artificial insemination on all those cows and it was really, really labor intensive. It was time consuming to get to those basically small farms that had maybe 30 cows on them and try to get all that done,” he said. “I was looking for something to run a lot more cows.” Bob found those large tracts of property in Belmont and Harrison counties and started purchasing stripmined land from coal companies about 24 years ago. Today Shugert Farms owns about 1,200 acres each in Belmont and Harrison counties. “Basically you can’t go anywhere in Belmont and Harrison counties without crossing our ground because we own so much property,” he said. Installing or repairing fences and improving the land for pastures has been a never-ending chore. Bob calculates he’s put in more than 250 miles of high tensile fence over the years, fencing out streams and woodlands and dividing the land up into 100acre pasture fields so the cows can be rotated about once a week. He’s had biosolids added to the land to improve the grass and ultimately the cows’ fertility in order to get more production from them. Driving along a swatch of property in Belmont County, Bob points out a patch of the Autumn ol-


“We’ve never been afraid to try something new and that’s because when everybody is in it for the same common goal, it’s easier.” ive, a nonnative shrub planted by coal companies to remediate stripmined land. Battling the invasive, non-native plant is another one of his never-ending chores as he works to return the land to a more natural and productive state. “At the time of the year when other people are doing hay, we spend a lot of time brushhogging and maintaining those fences. It’s a lot of work,” he said.

From internship to partnership

Steve Harris’s first introduction to Shugert Farms was via one of his Ohio State University professors who was doing research with Bob and told him about the cattle operation. Intrigued, Steve asked about an internship and was hooked. Steve, who grew up near Pittsburgh, joined the business in 1999 after he graduated from Ohio State with an ag education degree. His wife, Stephanie, has a business degree from Franklin University and focuses on the record-keeping part of the cattle operation. Each partner is in charge of a group of cattle with the help of an employee or two, and Stephanie works to ensure all the data they collect is in a central location. “Each individual person collects that data and turns it in to Stephanie. Our No. 1 goal is to keep track of which calves are genetically out of which bull because a lot of those older calves that are most valuable are AI sire replacement females or AI sire bulls that we may end up using,” Bob said. “We also keep track of the birth dates to have some idea of what the rate of gain is, which sire groups are performing the best, especially when we get to the other end when they’re finished out in Nebraska.” A couple of years ago, Shugert Farms made a change from selling its feeder calves to keeping everything in-house.

“This is something we started recently. We used to market the feeder calves but when you become big, your time and resources become a factor,” Steve said. “Now we’re retaining all of our ownership from birth to slaughter.” In October, Shugert Farms hires a trucking company to move more than 2,000 calves from Ohio to Nebraska where Jake sorts and groups them by weight and size. Some are wintered on corn stalks and then pastured in the spring before going to the feedlot while others go directly to the feedlot. Most of the replacement heifers stay in Nebraska and a few are sent to Ohio. “We have enough land in Nebraska now – about 10,000 acres -- that we’re probably going to keep a few extra cows there,” Bob said. “We do artificial insemination on a little over 1,000 cows each year and from those AI matings, we keep about 70-80 bull calves each year to use in our herd so we’re raising our now natural service sires. We’re trying to reap the benefits of all the genetic work that we’ve done to improve our cattle by getting the benefit of that when they go to slaughter.” When looking toward the future, Bob’s plans are to continue growing and finding ways to make use of existing resources. A few years ago, the farm stopped raising hay and all the equipment was sold. “We’re always working toward stockpiling feed and winter grazing to try to limit the amount of hay and expenses,” Steve said.

“We’re maximizing the resources we have like grass and not feeding hay. You have to really see what you have and how it lasts through the year. The long-term goal is to keep the cows and genetics moving in a more profitable direction.” A solid working relationship is key to making the operation run smoothly both close in person and long distance. “Our ability to work together and rely on each other is important,” Steve said. “We’ve never been afraid to try something new and that’s because when everybody is in it for the same common goal, it’s easier.” Another goal is to make the farm sustainable for the next generation. Bob has three children and Steve and Stephanie have two and they’re hopeful one of their children will join someday. Perched high up on a hilly road, Bob looks out over his land at the cattle grazing and takes it all in. “I never envisioned the size we’d be at today,” he said. “We appreciate being recognized for what we’ve spent our whole life working toward. I enjoy being my own boss and knew a long time ago that I really like working with cattle and this is all I want to do.”

Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 11


On the Edge of Common Sense By Baxter Black, DVM

THE COWMAN’S CHRISTMAS LIST 1. New baler twine to tie up last year’s five-buckle overshoes. 2. Something that will kill Canadian thistle. 3. A hot shot that works for more than a morning. 4. A dog that does more good out of the pickup than in it. 5. A cattle buyer who admits that he likes your calves. 6. A feedlot customer with a bottomless wallet. 7. A molasses salesman who thinks your hay will be adequate without his $200 –a-ton supplement. 8. A vet who suggest that you buy your vaccine at the co-op. 9. A teenage daughter who thinks her allowance is too high. 10. A son-in-law with a steady job. 11. A Christmas day freak snowfall that blankets the mountains and your front yard but leaves the cow lot dry as a bone. 12. An implement dealer who insists on being paid in bales of hay. 13. A banker who inadvertently has gotten your financial statement mixed up with Jeff Bezos’. 14. A son who can rope and ride, loves to work and doesn’t plan on going to vet school. 15. A wife who rubs your back. 16. The time, occasionally, to enjoy what you do for a livin’. 17. And a loving God who doesn’t look down at you every time and say, “Oh, well, I can’t win ‘em all!”

Dates to Remember: OCA Annual Meeting

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12 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

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OCA News OCA HOLDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) recently held elections to fill open positions on the OCA board of directors. The results of the 2020 election are as follows: Bill Tom - At-Large

Bill Tom, from Washington Court House in Fayette County, will continue to serve as an at-large director. With a history that is deeply rooted in the beef cattle industry, he grew up in Southeastern Ohio on a large cow-calf operation that thrived on reclaimed coal ground in Muskingum and Guernsey Counties. The operation covered several thousands of acres that included a commercial operation along with a purebred Hereford herd. His experience also included working at Foreman & Burris Hereford Ranch in Tennessee, as well as with Lone Star Hereford Ranch in Texas. After graduation from The Ohio State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture, he began an extensive career and is currently the Executive VP of Livestock Marketing with United Producers, Inc. Prior to this he was VP at Trupointe Cooperative, and General Manager of AgHorizons for Ohio with Cargill, Inc. for over seven years. He spent nearly 17 years with Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition where he served as 14 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

General Manager, Director of Sales, Director of Marketing and Regional Manager. Giving back to the community is a passion of Tom’s. His community involvement includes president of Beta Chapter Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni Association, serving on the Ohio Soybean Association board, current member of the Ohio Shorthorn Association board, member of the Ohio AgriBusiness Association, Chairman of Carroll Catholic High School’s Football fund raising, Carroll Catholic High School Boosters, advisor for the AGR Holiday Classic Steer Show and director of the Beef Department at the Ohio State Fair. Tom and his wife, Bridget, have been married for 26 years and have four children: Sean, Braiden, Maeve and Gavin. They also have a nine-yearold granddaughter, Arabella. Jaymes Maciejewski - District 1

mercial cattleman. They market their cattle at the Ohio Beef Expo, national consignment sales and privately off the farm. Maciejewski is involved with Emily’s beef industry marketing agency, Generation 6 Marketing. They also raise corn, soybeans, wheat and hay with Emily’s parents and brother. He has been involved in production and show cattle for 15 years and has a strong passion for youth programs and Simmental cattle. Maciejewski serves on the Ohio Simmental Association board and is an active member of the Henry County Farm Bureau, Henry County Cattlemen’s Association and the Henry County Agricultural Improvement Association. Maciejewski grew up in North Central Illinois and has always had a strong appreciation for production agriculture through several different mediums. He is a graduate of Black Hawk College East Campus and Iowa State University with degrees in agricultural studies and agronomy. Mark Goecke - District 4

Jaymes Maciejewski is a first-generation farmer and cattlemen who resides in New Bavaria, Ohio in Henry County with his wife Emily. They own and operate J Bar M Cattle, a 50-head cow-calf Simmental and SimAngus seedstock operation that heavily utilizes AI and embryo transfer. They are focused on producing functional females with style that can be appreciated in the show ring and by the com-

Mark Goecke is from Spencerville, Ohio in Allen County. He is a lifelong resident of Amanda Township and worked for his family’s dairy and grain operation before founding, constructing, and managing his own large dairy


beef cattle and grain operation. His operation currently markets 3,000 head of cattle annually. Goecke has served for nine years as a director of the Allen County Cattlemen’s Association. He is also a director of the Allen County Senior Fair Board and a member of the Allen County Agricultural Society, Allen County Farm Bureau, Midwest Electric Coop, United Equity Co-op, and the Mercer Landmark Co-op. He served as a director for United Equity, Inc, Delphos, Ohio from 1996 to 2000. He graduated from Spencerville High School where he earned his State Farmers Degree and was active in FFA. Goecke attended Miami University, Oxford for business. Currently he serves as vice president of St. Patrick’s Parish Church Council. He has also been involved with coaching youth sports and is currently a junior high basketball coach. Goecke has been heavily involved in helping youth with their junior fair projects for the past 40 years.

school, he furthered his education in the trade of bricklaying. He has worked for the Ohio/ West Virginia Bricklayers Union for the past 19 years. Mindy is also very involved in the cattle operation and is a territory business manager for the cattle and equine division of Zoetis. Thornburg’s primary interest has always been being involved in production agriculture and predominantly raising beef cattle. Thornburg was named OCA Young Cattleman of the Year in 2019 and represented Ohio on the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Young Cattlemen’s Conference and Tour. Sarah Ison - District 10

Brad Thorburg - District 7

Brad Thornburg of Belmont County is now serving his third term on the board. Brad and his wife Mindy live near Barnesville, Ohio and have two daughters, Vonn and Vaya, and a son, Voss. They own an Angus/Simmental based cow herd where they focus on raising good quality females that can be retained in their herd, as well as, raising steers that can be marketed into the food chain. The farm is a total AI and embryo transfer operation where no bulls are used. Thornburg was born and raised in the Barnesville area, located in Southeastern Ohio. After graduating high

Sarah Ison of Clermont County will continue to serve District 10. Ison and her husband, Josh, and children, Thea and Deklan, farm near Moscow, Ohio. The couple returned to Ison’s home in Moscow in 2016 following graduation from Texas Tech University where she earned her doctoral degree in animal science. Ison specialized in pre-harvest food safety, epidemiology and microbiology. Her research focused on antibiotic resistant E. coli and Salmonella in feedlot cattle. Prior to receiving her doctoral degree, Ison earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Morehead State University (MSU) in Kentucky. While at MSU she was an active member of the equestrian and livestock judging teams. Dr. Ison currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Northern Kentucky University teaching microbiology and

works as an independent food safety and research consultant. She is also an active member of the Clermont County Cattlemen’s Association and served on OCA’s membership committee. The Isons operate a direct to consumer and retail sales beef business, Cincy Beef, focusing on providing local high-quality beef. The Isons recently received the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s 2020 Excellence in Agriculture award. District 1 director serves Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Williams and Wood counties. District 4 director serves Allen, Auglaize, Darke, Mercer, Miami and Shelby counties. District 7 director serves Belmont, Carroll, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Noble and Tuscarawas counties. Lastly, district 10 director serves Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Preble and Warren counties. To find contact information for the new directors, please visit ohiocattle. org or call the OCA office at (614) 873-6736.

Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 15


Dependability:

Reliable and worthy of trust

Courage:

Feeling the fear, but doing the right thing anyway, no matter the cost or difficulty

Passion:

Intense, powerful or compelling emotion and commitment

Generosity:

Unselfishly using my resources to benefit others

joyfulness:

Expressing delight and optimism in appearance, actions, and speech

“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up” -Babe Ruth 16 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021


We are looking for individuals who have the character. The Ohio Program and Weaver Livestock are looking for individuals who represent the Character. This year we are looking for individuals that portray the : Dependability, courage, passion, generosity, & Joyfulness Head over to ohiocattle.org to nominate them as a Character individual. Nominations will be accepted until April 1st, 2021. Nominations will be reviewed and winners will be announced at the 2021 Banquet. Submit your nominations at OhioCattle.org

Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 17


OCA Industry Service Award

Denny Ruff mentors cattle producers inside and outside the auction ring Story & Photos by Amy Beth Graves It’s Wednesday, auction day. All eyes are on the sale pen as livestock flows in and out and the auctioneer does his smooth and fast talking. Bids are made and sales confirmed. It’s a whirlwind of activity and in the center of it is Denny Ruff, general manager of the Muskingum Livestock Auction. Feet propped up on the bars of the sale pen, a landline phone in one ear and a cell phone in the other, Denny takes it all in. Satisfied that he has secured a nice lot of feeder cattle for a buyer, Denny plops his feet down on the ground and stretches his knee a bit before heading to the back to check on things. While his stride is purposeful, it’s not as fast as it used to be. But then again he’s been doing this his entire adult life, and he’s put in a countless number of miles and hours inside the auction located just outside Zanesville’s downtown. “It’s all I know. I have a high school degree but didn’t go to a four year college. I learned all of this by watching and learning. This is who I am and now that I’ve gotten to a certain age, it’s too late to change,” he said. 18 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

Not that there’s any reason for Denny to change careers at age 64. For almost 80 years, Muskingum Livestock Auction has been an integral part of the livestock industry, and Denny has seen the trends come and go over the years and is as invested in the business as the first day he joined more than 30 years ago. His contributions to the cattle industry haven’t gone unnoticed, and he is the recipient of the Ohio Cattlemen’s 2021 Industry Excellence award. “I’m humbled they would consider me for this,” he said. “I’m an auction man. I’ve always said the true price discovery (of your livestock) is at the auction and I believe that. When you’re bringing in a nice set of livestock and buyers are competitively bidding on them, you’re getting the most value that day.” Agreeing is Dennis Michel, a Fairfield County cattleman and chairman of the Muskingum Livestock Auction for about two decades. The auction has seven board members who represent stakeholders. “I don’t think you could meet a

nicer guy. Denny’s presence has been steady over the years because he does such a good job,” said Dennis who has a feeder-to-finish operation. Over the years, he’s relied on Denny to both purchase and sell cattle for him through the Muskingum Livestock Auction. Every week about a dozen of his fat cattle head to the auction pen in Zanesville. “Denny does everything in his power to try to help someone get a good price on their cattle. He builds trust and people to go him for advice,” Dennis said. “He keeps up on the times and trends and has been a good mentor to so many over the years. He does such an excellent job that I don’t what we’ll do when – or if – he retires.”

From hogs to cattle

Denny grew up in a family that raised cattle and hogs in Fairfield County and was always particularly fond of hogs. When he started at Muskingum Livestock in 1987 after working part-time at the Lancaster Producers Auction, hogs were big


“This is where I’m meant to be and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

then. He and another employee spent their weeks moving feeder hogs until the hog market plummeted and hogs were no longer the main livestock moving through the auction. This was around the time Denny became Muskingum Livestock Auction’s general manager in 1999. It was also when Denny started learning more about cattle, eventually raising them on a farm he and his wife, Judy, bought about 30 miles south of Zanesville. “It was a bit of a learning curve focusing more on cattle. I had always paid attention to the fed cattle and what they were bringing and what they were worth but when you’re representing your customer, you need to know exactly what to look for,” he said. Today about 50,000 cattle, as well as a few sheep, goats and hogs, make their way in and out of the Muskingum Livestock auction, conveniently located just a few miles from Interstate 70. “Where we’re set here in southeastern Ohio … our location is super,” Denny said. “There have been a lot of changes with auctions over the years but I think that while there aren’t as many today, I still think that there’s a place for auction houses. For some it’s the best way for them to sell their cattle.” Denny elaborated that one reason why not as many auction houses exist in Ohio nowadays is because the number of small meat packers has dramatically shrunk over the years. “Back in the ‘70s and early ‘80s, we had a lot of little packers that created quite a market. All those little packers back then, I can recall there being 20-25 buyers buying fed cattle. Now it’s just three to four buyers,” he said. For Denny and about three dozen employees, auction day is a marathon. Denny typically shows up around 5:30 a.m. to make sure all the livestock have been sorted and weighed before the

auction starts at 9 a.m. The fed cattle are the first to go in the ring and feeder cattle the last. Denny spends his time making sure everything goes smoothly, eating and talking with buyers and bidding on livestock for customers. He doesn’t get to go home until the last animal is sold, which is usually late in the evening. “One sale we quit at 5:30 a.m. That was the longest day I ever put in here. There are so many times I’ve been here 24 hours easy and crashed in my chair for a bit,” he said, pointing to a chair in his office. “We don’t mess around. We’ve got a good crew.” Keeping good employees on the payroll is one of Denny’s biggest challenges. “Finding good labor is tough,” he said. “Years ago we had all types of farm kids come in and work but now it’s only a few people who are reliable. There are some that would love to help out but when we need them the most, they’re busy in the spring and fall.” At his home farm in Morgan County, Denny backgrounds about 100 cattle a year, buying the calves at the Muskingum Livestock Auction and later reselling them at the action. “I know where my paycheck comes from,” he laughed. “I try to practice what I preach. I take home the calves, give them a booster

shot, start them on grain and turn them out.”

A mentor to many

Over the years, Denny has given his share of advice to fellow cattlemen looking to sell their animals at the auction. Every year he puts about 40,000 miles on his pickup, traveling a 50-mile radius to help cattle producers determine when their animals should go to market. His No. 1 piece of advice? Do the basics in taking the best care of that animal before it goes to the auction. “If someone calls in and says what should I do with my animal, I tell them to do the basics. Get them weaned, castrated, bunk broke and a vaccine in them. That’s what buyers want -- the basics. They prefer they’re not trailer weaned,” he said. “My goal is to get good cattle to the auction because when that happens, you get a good price and both the buyers and sellers keep coming back.” While Denny is the type who likes to see animals or merchandise in person, he’s come to recognize that online sales are becoming more popular. He’s currently working on plans to start video sales of feeder calves. But other than this new addition and a few tweaks here and there, he’s happy with how the sale runs every week. He’s also pleased to be working side-by-side with his son Trevor, who is an auctioneer at the sale, and his other son, Garth, was recently promoted to beef cattle field specialist with Ohio State University Extension. While working 70-80 hours a week at times can be both mentally and physically exhausting, Denny says running the livestock auction is the perfect job for him. “Why do I do it? I love it. I want to do this as long as I’m wanted and am healthy … maybe not as many hours though,” he laughed. “This is where I’m meant to be and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 19


Your Beef Checkoff Dollars at Work Investing in Beef Safety, Nutrition and Promotion BEEF. IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER. TO BROADCAST ON THE HALLMARK CHANNEL

With the holidays looking a little different this year, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is ensuring one thing remains the same - Beef. It’s What’s for Holiday Dinner. To remind consumers across the country that beef is the only protein that they want to feed their families this holiday season, Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. will return to broadcast television. For the first time since 2003, Beef Checkoff-funded advertisements and the iconic Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. brand will be on television, airing a limited number of ads during the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas movies. Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. successful video released last year called the ‘Drool Log’—a two-hour long video of a Beef Prime Rib Roast slowly cooking over an open flame—created quite the following with more than 14 million videos views. This year, NCBA looked for the opportunity to make even more people salivate over beef and will be placing a new—and shorter—version of the Drool Log on a television network. New fifteensecond Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. Drool Log ads will appear throughout late November and December on the Hallmark Channel’s holiday programming event “Countdown to Christmas” as part of a limited holiday broadcast and digital ad buy. “As a beef producer, it’s exciting to see checkoff dollars making this holiday season a little more special by bringing Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. back to broadcast television,” said Buck Wehrbein,

NCBA Federation Division Chairman. “While broadcast television is usually out of reach, the opportunity to advertise on the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas movie marathon boiled down to the right network, the right ad, the right time and the right price tag. I look forward to sharing the nostalgia of Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. ads on televisions with the next - generation of consumers.”

VIRTUAL FARM TOURS FOCUSED ON BEEF BRINGING EDUCATION TO STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS

This fall the Ohio Beef Council hosted four virtual farm tours (VFTs), invited students of all ages to learn about raising beef cattle, meat science, genetics and much more. More than 6,000 students from various states were registered for the tours. In addition, two additional tours were offered to dietetic interns and professionals for continuing education credit. Ohio Beef Council Nutrition Coordinator, Anna Gest, worked with The Ohio State University meat scientist, Dr. Lyda Garcia, and Stickel Farms of Bowling Green, Ohio to provide information to dietetic students and others who were unable to travel to farms during the pandemic. More than 40 hours of continuing education credit was earned through these trips. During all the VFT sessions, participants had the opportunity to ask questions in real time to farmers. Now more than ever, understanding the role that each member of the Ohio beef community plays is crucial in order to continue caring for beef cattle in a responsible and sustainable way, and virtual farm tours provide the avenue to educate the next generation.

OHIO BLOGGER PARTNERSHIPS INCREASE BEEF AND VEAL’S PRESENCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

To celebrate cooler weather and the

holidays quickly approaching, the Ohio Beef Council and the Beef Checkoff teamed up with six of Ohio’s food bloggers to develop new recipes and accompanying blog posts. These recipes were developed to fit various budgets and consumer taste palates. The curated recipes were then shared on the bloggers’ websites and social media, as well as the Ohio Beef Council’s. The slow-cooker recipes have received over 5,300 views and 1,032 shares. Two of Ohio’s bloggers curated recipes featuring veal that launched in early November. These posts are still being actively shared and have garnered over 1,500 views thus far. To celebrate the holidays, six food bloggers also launched recipes and accompanying blog posts featuring various cuts of beef to help consumers incorporate beef into their holiday dinner parties and family gatherings at the table. A few of the recipes include, a Beef Tenderloin Rollup appetizer, Steak Pasta with Creamy Gorgonzola and a Rosemary Prime Rib recipe. All the recipes can be found at ohiobeef.org.

BRINGING BEEF TO THE CLASSROOM THROUGH GRANT MADE POSSIBLE BY CHECKOFF To help Family and Consumer Science educators reinforce lessons about lean beef selection, storage, preparation, nutrition and food safety, the Beef in the Classroom Grant Program was established. Beef in the Classroom reimburses up to $100 per classroom per school district to provide financial support for the use of beef products in their lesson plans.

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: Jamie Graham, Patriot, Chairman • Erin Stickel, Bowling Green, Vice Chairman • Stan Smith, Canal Winchester, Treasurer • Henry Bergfeld, Summitville • Mike Carper, Delaware • Dave Felumlee, Newark • Lou Ellen Harr, Jeromesville • Becky Reed, Springfield • Sam Roberts, South Charleston • Allan Robison, Cable • Bev Roe, Hamilton • Garth Ruff, Napoleon Bill Sexten, Washington C.H. • Kurt Steiner, Creston • Barb Watts, Alexandria • Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director 20 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021


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View our website at ohiocattle.org for the latest news affecting OCA members! Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 21


Beef Briefs ROYCE KINNEY OBITUARY

Royce Kinney, 87, of Pleasant Hill, Ohio passed away September 12, 2020. He was born in 1933 in Belmont County, Ohio. Kinney graduated from Belmont High School in 1951. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agronomy from the Ohio State University and went on to serve in the US Air Force. In 1956 he married Virginia Lee Groves and together they shared a life for over 64 years. In 1989, he graduated from Oklahoma State University with a master’s degree. He was a member of 4-H, Alpha-Zeta fraternity, Ohio Cattleman’s Association, Buckeye Hereford Association, and Ohio Gas and Oil. He was active with the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Plymouth Club. He was also involved with the Miami County Republicans and was a member of the Belmont Methodist Church and the Pleasant Hill Brethren in Christ Church. He will be missed and remembered by his loving wife Virginia Kinney, their children and their spouses, their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Hill History Center, 8 E. Monument Street, Pleasant Hill, Ohio 45359 or the Miami Valley Veterans Museum, 2245 S. County Road 25A, Troy, Ohio 45373.

OSU EXTENSION OFFERS WINTER BEEF PROGRAMMING The Ohio State University (OSU) Extension beef team will be hosting multiple educational programs throughout the winter. The following programs will be offered in 2021:

Ohio Cow/Calf Management School This program will be offered in two sessions taking place on two different days. Session 1 will feature talks by several OSU Extension Educators focus22 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

ing on how to overcome the challenges of making dry hay, forage fertility, hay storage economics, forage testing, stockpiling pasture, and the do’s and don’ts of pasture improvement. Session 2 will feature Ohio seedstock producers, Dr. Alvaro Guerra Garcia, and OSU Extension educators covering breeding season management, genetic selection, maximizing cow longevity, semen handling, feeder calf management, and making cow culling decisions. The sessions will be offered twice in two different locations - Columbiana County and Noble County. Columbiana County: Session 1 - Jan. 27, 2021 Session 2 – Feb. 10, 2021 Noble County: Session 1 – Jan. 28, 2021 Session 2 – Feb. 11, 2021 The price is $40 per person and will include lunch for both sessions. Registration is limited. Ohio Cattle Feeding School With the recent volatility in the fed cattle markets, risk management for livestock producers is of increasing importance, as is providing an environment where cattle efficiency and performance can be maximized. These topics will be addressed via Zoom on Feb. 24 from 6-8 p.m. Presentations: Risk Management Livestock Risk Protection and Livestock Gross Margin Insurance –Justin White, Hudson Insurance Feedlot Ventilation Requirements –Jason Hartschuh, OSU Extension Crawford County Ohio Cow-Calf Outlook Webinar This program will look at the cattle markets and how management deci-

sions influence marketing outcomes, including calf value in the marketplace. Dr. Kenny Burdine, livestock marketing specialist from the University of Kentucky Extension, will be presenting. It will be held via Zoom on Jan. 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. More information and registration for these programs can be found at beef.osu.edu or by contacting Garth Ruff at ruff.72@osu.edu or (740) 6517140.

OAC TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS IN AGRICULTURE

The Ohio Agricultural Council (OAC) is accepting applications for two opportunities to recognize outstanding individuals in agriculture: the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame and the OAC scholarship program. Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame Created by the OAC in 1966, the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame has now honored more than 240 agriculturalists who have dedicated their lives of outstanding work to Ohio’s number-one industry, agriculture. Induction in the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame is Ohio’s highest recognition of an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the agricultural industry. Each year up to four prominent agricultural leaders are honored and inducted into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame for their superior service, dedication, leadership and plentiful contributions to agriculture. Persons wishing to nominate an individual who he or she believes is deserving of consideration for induction into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame may download a nomination form at www.OhioAgCouncil.org. Nomination forms, along with three letters of recommendation, must be submitted by March 15, 2021, in order to be eligible for consideration in 2021.


OAC Scholarship Program The Ohio Agricultural Council offers up to three (3) $1,500 scholarships annually to Ohio high school seniors who plan to pursue a degree in agriculture and up to three (3) $1,500 scholarships to undergraduate college students from Ohio who are currently pursuing a degree in agriculture. Applicants or their parent or legal guardian must be a resident of Ohio. Scholarships are selected based on academic record, leadership qualities, community involvement and responses to application essay questions. Scholarship recipients are also provided a one-year complimentary student membership in OAC. Scholarship applications for the 2021-22 school year are now available at www.OhioAgCouncil.org. Completed applications must be returned to the Ohio Agricultural Council by Feb. 15, 2021. Scholarship recipients will be notified no later than April 15 of their award. Hall of Fame inductees and scholarship recipients will be recognized at OAC’s 55th Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame Awards Program on Aug. 6 at the 2021 Ohio State Fair.

OHIO CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION & OHIO CATTLEWOMEN’S ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR 2021 ACADEMIC YEAR AT OSU COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and the Ohio CattleWomen’s Association each provides two scholarship(s) to third or fourth-year veterinary students who have demonstrated interest in practicing large animal (food/ farm) medicine. Preference is given to candidates whose work, research, or community involvement demonstrates interest in the beef industry or are involved in the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association.

Hannah Jarvis, DVM class of 2022 After graduation, Hannah plans to return to Northeast Ohio to begin her own large animal practice focusing in cattle and reproduction while continuing to maintain a show cattle operation. Brittany Conkey, DVM class of 2021 After graduation Brittany hopes to return home to Hicksville, Ohio, and practice large animal medicine.

David Becker, DVM class of 2022 Davis is from Wilmington, Ohio, and aspires to become a mixed-animal veterinary practice owner in the southern Ohio area. Grant Price, DVM, class of 2022 Grant plans to join North Central Veterinary Services (Upper Sandusky, OH) after graduation as a mixed-animal practitioner, focusing on farm animal medicine.

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Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 23


Breed News AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES THE TEN OHIO BREEDERS WHO REGISTERED THE MOST ANGUS The 10 producers who registered the most Angus beef cattle in the state of Ohio recorded a total of 1,143 Angus with the American Angus Association® during fiscal year 2020, which ended Sept. 30, according to Mark McCully, Association chief executive officer. The 10 top recorders in Ohio are: Way View Cattle Co LLC, Hebron; Maplecrest Farms, Hillsboro; Chippewa Valley Angus Farms LLC, Rittman; James Coffelt, Cadiz; Optum Angus LLC, Seaman; Corner Stone Genetics, Raymond; BLLB Farm’s LLC, Jackson; Burgett Angus Farm LLC, Carrollton; Beverly Wagner, Hamilton; Rylee E Closser, Hebron.

ELLIE KIDWELL CROWNED 2021 MISS AMERICAN ANGUS

Ellie Kidwell, Walhonding, Ohio, was crowned the 2021 Miss American Angus, Nov. 8 during the 137th Annual Meeting of the American Angus Association® in Kansas City, Mo. Ellie, the daughter of Korey & Kelly Kidwell, will represent the Angus breed at numerous beef industry events during her reign. The American Angus Auxiliary sponsors the Miss 24 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

American Angus contest, where five college youth compete for the honor. The competition includes a written quiz, an interview and public speaking before a panel of three judges. Ellie is the 53rd Miss American Angus and will travel the country as an ambassador for the breed. She also serves as a junior representative for the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s BEST program.

2021 ANGUS INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Applications are now open for college-age students to apply for the American Angus Association®, Angus Journal ® and Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) 2021 summer internships. These 10-week internship programs provide a unique hands-on experience that will both challenge and instill confidence both professionally and personally. Interns at Angus are assigned responsibilities and guided by experts in their career field to help instill confidence and ensure success. The four internships being offered are Angus Journal®, Communications, Events and Education and AGI. Students interested in applying should send a resumé, cover letter and references to careers@angus.org by Feb. 1, 2021. Visit angus.org/careers for internship descriptions and requirements.

AMERICAN SHORTHORN BREEDERS ASSOCIATION AWARDS SCOTT WINKLE HERDSMAN OF THE YEAR

Scott Winkle, Cedarville, Ohio was awarded Herdsman of the Year from the American Shorthorn Association (ASA). The Herdsman of the Year is a prestigious award sponsored by the Shorthorn Foundation and honored with a trophy buckle in memory of Lawrence Grathwohl. Lawrence Grathwohl

was a loyal member of the ASA who passed at the young age of 41. He was best known for raising Shorthorn cattle, which he showed all across the country. The award is voted on by fellow Shorthorn breeders and announced during the National Shorthorn show each year.

BUCKEYE HEREFORD ASSOCIATION HOSTS ANNUAL OHIO HEREFORD FUTURITY SHOW

On Sept. 27 Hereford breeders gathered at the Knox County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The Buckeye Hereford Association hosted the annual event which showcases Ohio bred seedstock. Judge Bill Dunn of Cochranton, PA evaluated 64 head of Hereford cattle. Grand Champion Female was exhibited by Cupp Brothers of Lancaster, Ohio. She is a May 2019 daughter of H/TSR/CHEZ Full Throttle. Reserve Champion Female was exhibited by Sam Stoughton, Jeffersonville, Ohio. She is Jan. 2020 heifer calf sired by R Leader 6964. Grand Champion Cow/Calf Pair was bred and exhibited by J&L Cattle Services, Jeromesville, Ohio. The cow is sired by Mohican THM Excede Z426, with a Feb. bull calf by UPS Sensation 2504. Reserve Champion Cow/Calf Pair was exhibited by Emma Lewis, Litchfield, Ohio. The cow is sired by CCC 316 HD 501 with a March heifer calf by Boyd Worldwide 9050. Grand Champion Bull was bred and exhibited by Ralph E. Ullman & Son, Graysville, Ohio. He is a Sept. 2019 bull sired by GVF 11X Powerstroke 10B. Reserve Champion Bull was bred and exhibited by Heritage Farm, Fort Jennings, Ohio. He is a Jan. 2020 bull calf sired by Showtime Flash.


2020 WORLD BEEF EXPO

Kathy Lehman, Shelby, Ohio, exhibited the Supreme Champion and Grand Champion female at the 2020 World Beef Expo Roll of Victory (ROV) Angus show. This Feb. 2019 daughter of KR Casino 6243 first claimed junior champion.

The Roll of Victory Senior Champion Female of the year at the NAILE Super Point ROV show was Conley Miss Lucy 7011 owned by Rees Toler, Bidwell, Ohio.

Sriracha 40G ET took home Grand Champion Female at the Ohio Hereford Futurity Show for the Cupp Brothers.

BOY Proven Queen 947 ET took home Supreme Champion and Grand Champion Female at the World Beef Expo Roll of Victory Show for exhibitor Kathy Lehman.

NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK EXPOSITION (NAILE) RESULTS JLCS 9438 Duranna with a Feb. bull calf by UPS Sensation 2504 took home Grand Champion Cow/Calf Pair at the Ohio Hereford Futurity Show. Pair bred and owned by J&L Cattle Services.

HF 10B Diesel U25G took home Grand Champion Bull at the Ohio Hereford Futurity Show. Bull bred & owned by Ralph E. Ullman & Son,

The Grand Champion Female at the 2020 NAILE Super Point Roll of Victory (ROV) Angus Show was exhibited by Sydney Sanders, Leesburg, Ohio. This Feb. 2019 daughter of Silverias Style 9303 was also named Reserve Grand Champion Female in the Junior Angus Show.

Maplecrest Phyllis 9043 was named Grand Champion Female at the NAILE Super Point Roll of Victory Angus Show, Grand Champion in the Open Angus show and Reserve Grand Champion Female at the Junior Angus show for exhibitor Sydney Sanders.

Pictured from left accepting on Rees’ behalf are Jon Davis; Ellie Kidwell, Miss American Angus; Maggie Davis and Melissa Davis.

Kolten Greenhorn, Waynesville, Ohio exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Shorthorn Female at the NAILE Shorthorn Junior Show Samantha Van Vorhis, Bowling Green, Ohio, exhibited the Senior Champion Female and the Grand Champion ShorthornPlus Female in the NAILE Junior ShorthornPlus Show. Hannah Topmiller, Pleasant Plain, Ohio exhibited the Champion Female in the NAILE Junior Maine Anjou Show. Madisen Jolliff, Kenton, Ohio, exhibited the Champion Senior Yearling Female. Kathy Lehman, Shelby, Ohio, exhibited the Best Animal Bred & Owned and the Reserve Grand Champion Heifer at the NAILE Junior Charolais Show. Allison Herr, Metamora, Ohio exhibited the Grand Champion Bred & Owned Chianina Female at the NAILE Junior Chianina Show. Will Coor, Hillsboro, Ohio, exhibited the Grand Champion Maine Anjou Female in the NAILE Open Maine Anjou Show.

Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 25


The Ruff Review By Garth Ruff, OSU Extension Beef Cattle Field Specialist

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Happy (almost) New Year! We’ve made it to the home stretch of 2020, a year that few will ever forget. Looking forward to the New Year, I always take some time to reflect on the past 12 months. While it is significantly more enjoyable to rewind and press pause on the successes of the past year, we should take time to evaluate the not-so-successful decisions that were made, and what we could have done differently to improve the outcome. This year those low points are about all related to the pandemic and it’s impact on the beef industry. The highs include increased demand for Ohio cattle harvested locally, a dryer growing season allowing for improved forage quality across parts of the state, and personally the opportunity to serve Ohio’s beef industry in this new role. I have never been one to make New Year’s resolutions, however I do like to make a list of things, mentally or on paper, that I’d like to improve on both professionally and within our farm operation. On the farm that list ranges from improving record keeping, better managing mud, a variety of little tweaks to processes and even a couple of items that are on that list every year: improve efficiency of the system, and look at opportunities to add value to our cattle, crops or forage. If you’re looking to either improve efficiency of the system, or add value your cattle, crops or forage; OSU Extension’s 2021 winter beef cattle programming will provide you the information do just that. Given current university policies regarding COVID-19, this winter’s beef programming will be offered in a combination of virtual and in-person programming. We will be kicking off 2021 with 26 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

Cow-Calf Outlook meeting via webinar at 6:30 p.m. on January 26. Dr. Kenny Burdine, livestock marketing extension specialist from the University of Kentucky will be the featured speaker. Dr. Burdine will give a market outlook for 2021 and discuss how cow and calf management plays a role in determining value at the time of marketing. As of today, two cow-calf schools we will be in-person in eastern Ohio addressing a variety of genetic, reproduction, calf management and forage production during the two-day schools. Featured speakers for the cow-calf schools include John Grimes of Maplecrest Farms in Hillsboro; Dr. Alvaro Guerra Garcia, cattle reproduction specialist at Ohio State, and a variety of OSU Extension staff at the different locations. The programs will be held in Columbiana County, on January 27 and February 10 at Garwood Cattle Company. The second program will be held in Noble County at the Caldwell Extension Operations office and the Eastern Ag Research Station on January 28 and February 11. Pre-registration is required and limited to the first 40 registrations at each site. The first week of the programs will address overcoming forage challenges given the recent history of wet weather, and strategies for grazing management. During the second week we discuss genetics, cow longevity and breeding season management.

Attendees will also learn about semen thawing, handling and evaluate a number cows in order to make sound culling decisions. The need for increased risk management for fed cattle has been highlighted by a couple of “Black Swan” events: COVID-19 and the 2019 Tyson packing plank fire. The 2021 Cattle Feeding and Management School will feature Justin White of Hudson Insurance who will present on risk management for fed cattle, specifically the Livestock Risk Protection and Livestock Gross Margin Insurance programs. To finish up the program Jason Hartschuh, OSU Extension Crawford County, will discuss feedlot ventilation needs. This program will be held via webinar, pre-registration will be required. Registration for all programs can be found at beef.osu.edu under the 2021 Beef School tab. Looking forward to the next year, I do believe at some point we will be able return to a new normal. Regardless, there is no time better than the present, to continue improving and equipping yourself with the tools that can have a positive impact on your cattle operation. Have a good holiday season and stay safe out there.


Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 27


NCBA News By Colin Woodall, NCBA CEO

PARDON THE TURKEY For too many years we have allowed turkey to hold a prominent place on American dining tables during the holidays. Enough is enough! Instead of countless conversations about how dry the turkey was, we can provide profuse kudos to the those who deliver a perfectly cooked and delectable beef-eating experience. Although we work closely with our friends in the turkey business on many of the same issues in Washington, D.C., we are still competitors, and competitors do not give free passes to the other party. We are on a quest to take back the holidays and make beef the holiday meal of choice! Your checkoff dollars are pivotal in our quest. NCBA, as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff launched a holiday campaign designed to grab consumers’ attention and have them re-think placing that turkey in the basket. We do that by making their mouths water with our Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. “Drool Log” that has proven to be so popular. Consumers can’t get enough of the “Drool Log,” and our marketing campaign is capitalizing on their beef desires. We are hitting our consumers daily on broadcast television, digital media, radio and more. I hope you keyed on the broadcast television part, because it is the first time since 2003 we have been able to do this. We are a part of the 2020 Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas” event that started before Thanksgiving and runs through Dec. 26. If you have not heard, the Hallmark Channel is the channel to watch for holiday movies and we took advantage of a unique and affordable opportunity. The “Drool Log” is yet another great example of the work done with your checkoff dollars, and it caps off a 28 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

very successful year of checkoff-funded programs and projects. At least once a week, I receive a call or email asking what the checkoff really does. Well, it really does a lot and we are proud to be one of nine contractors conducting work on behalf of the Beef Checkoff. While 2020 has proven to be chock-full of pain and challenges, we have proven how nimble we can be as a contractor in making the most of checkoff funding. When beef cases were cleaned out, there was no need wasting these precious dollars on promotion because we were selling everything we were producing. Instead, we had to address the fact that refrigerators and freezers across the country were full of beef and, in many cases, our consumers didn’t really know what to do with it. We focused on online cooking lessons and our famous Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. recipe database to help our friends and neighbors have a fantastic beef meal. When the pandemic continued to keep people at home, we tried to add a little humor with our “Beef Substitutes” campaign that focused on substituting beef for other proteins like taking the squid out of calamari

and using beef to make “cow-lamari”! That set us up for National Beef Burger Day in May and a campaign that reminded our customers that grilling season is only possible because of your hard work and diligence – regardless of the pandemic. Next came our “United We Steak” summer grilling promotion that was wildly successful. Over the course of the summer, “United We Steak” ads were seen over 338 MILLION times! We had over 33 million online radio ad listens, almost 90 million video views, and the campaign drove over one million visits to UnitedWeSteak. com. In addition, we had a 23-story tall billboard in New York City’s Times Square that displayed the map with each state cut out of steak. The bottom-line is that Americans loved “United We Steak”! We are committed to topping all of this with our work planned for 2021. These campaigns are just a fragment of the work that is done with checkoff funding, but we’ll cover those other areas in future articles. Your checkoff dollars are working hard for you each and every day. More importantly, these campaigns also illustrate the importance of the partnership


Re-adjust your dial! The CATTLE INDUSTRY CONVENTION

& NCBA TRADE SHOW

is moving to

August 10-12, 2021

GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER

TEXT BEEF TO 25827 TEXT BEEF TO 25827

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

between NCBA and the Federation of State Beef Councils. NCBA can’t do this alone. Together, NCBA and your beef council are delivering results that we can measure. The beef industry is better with the checkoff, but we must toot our own horn about the great work that it funds. Take this information and share it with your neighbors. I take great pride in our role as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, and NCBA remains committed to protecting and defending this program.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

CONVENTION.NCBA.ORG

CONVENTION.NCBA.ORG

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Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 29


OCA News OCA HOSTS SUCCESSFUL REPLACEMENT FEMALE SALE The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) held their eighth annual Replacement Female Sale on November 27 at the Muskingum Livestock Auction Company in Zanesville, Ohio. A large crowd was on hand to bid on 83 high quality females in the sale. The sale represented an excellent opportunity for cow-calf producers to add quality females with documented breeding and health records to their herds. Buyers evaluated 83 lots of bred heifers, bred cows and a cow-calf pair at the auction. The sale included 50 lots of bred heifers that averaged $1,659, 32 lots of bred cows that averaged $2,129 and one cow-calf pair that sold for $1,950. The 83 total lots grossed $153,025 for an overall average of $1,844. The females sold to buyers from Ohio and West Virginia.

Col. Ron Kreis served as the auctioneer. The 2020 sale marked a major improvement over the previous year’s sale. The 2020 sale represented a $462 per head price increase over the 2019 sale. Demand was strong for quality females as 19 bred cows and 21 bred heifers sold for over $2,000. George Cooper of West Alexandria, OH consigned the top selling cow at $2,850. The Lot 9 registered Hereford cow sold to Nate Parrill of Nashport, OH. Homecroft Farm of West Liberty, OH sold Lot 45, a registered Angus cow for $2,650 to Daniel Otto of St. Louisville, OH. Haley Farms of West Salem, OH sold Lots 23, 24 and 25, registered Simmental and Simmental – Angus cows to J. Gutridge and Sons of Newark, OH at $2,600.

Van Horn Farms of Malta, OH consigned the top two selling bred heifers at $2,550. The Lots 82 and 83 registered Simmental heifers sold to Roy Thewlis of Jeromesville, OH. Two bred heifers sold at $2,500 each. The Ohio State University Beef Center of Dublin, OH consigned the Lot 67 Simmental – Angus heifer which sold to Stiers Grain Farms of Waterford, OH. Maplecrest Farms of Hillsboro, OH sold the registered Simmental – Angus Lot 51 heifer to Ronnie King II of Mt. Perry, OH. Van Horn Farms also sold the Lot 84 registered Lim – Flex heifer for $2,450 to Roy Thewlis of Jeromesville, OH. If you have any questions about the sale, contact John F. Grimes, OCA Replacement Female Sale Manager at (937) 763-6000, or by email at john@ maplecrestfarms.com.

OCA AND OBC ARE NOW HIRING OCA and the Ohio Beef Council (OBC) are currently looking to fill two positions. OCA and OBC are committed to providing team members with a positive and flexible work environment; opportunities to grow and advance; and interesting, meaningful work within Ohio’s food production and farm community. The two open positions are Manager of Members Services and Administrative Assistant.

Manager of Member Services

The Manager of Member Services will provide oversight and implementation of the association’s membership marketing programs, engaging with 30 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

industry partners, cattle farmers and industry youth. This position coordinates association membership marketing activities including recruitment and retention programs, county association services and producer education programs. This person works with various agri-business companies who are members of OCA’s Allied Industry Council and manages the Ohio Beef Expo Trade Show and Genetic Pathway. The Manager of Member Services is also responsible for advertising sales for the Ohio Cattleman magazine.

Administrative Assistant

The Administrative Assistant is re-

sponsible for the administrative duties of OCA and OBC. This includes management of membership and beef quality assurance databases and the intern program. This person will manage daily tasks around the office, including mailings, scheduling and general organization. More infromation about these positions can be found at ohiocattle.org. Interested applicants should email their resume and cover letter to Elizabeth Harsh, executive director, at eharsh@ohiocattle.org. Please call the office at 614-873-6736 with any questions.


YES.

!

March 18-21, 2021 Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 31


CALENDAR

of EVENTS

JANUARY 2-3 Scarlet & Gray Midwest Showdown - BEST - Springfield, Ohio 16-17 The Weekend Spectacular BEST - Marion, Ohio

26 OSU Ohio Cow/Calf Outlook Webinar - Zoom

THE NUTRITIONAL FRAME WORK FOR BUILDING BETTER PERFORMANCE

27 OSU Ohio Cow/Calf Management School Begins Columbiana Co.

28 OSU Ohio Cow/Calf Management School Begins - Noble Co.

30-31 Clark der Tabs - County Cattle Battle BEST - Springfield, Ohio

place of the FEBRUARY

eholders 10 OSU Ohio Cow/Calf

Management School - Columbiana Co.

t in 11 topicOSU Ohio Cow/Calf

Management School - Noble Co.

13-14 DTS Cupid Classic - BEST Springfield, Ohio 24 OSU Ohio Cattle Feeding School - Zoom

MARCH 6-7 Holmes County Preview BEST - Millersburg, Ohio 18-21 Ohio Beef Expo

Value Ch

• Unique combination of protein sources optimize rumen function

MAY 1 Ohio

BEST Banquet - Columbus,

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

32 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

• Mineral technology factors in bioavailability, rumen solubility and interactions

Mintrate® supplies the perfect nutritional framework needed to build solid herd productivity for today and future generations.

• Supplies vitamins that forages lack • Most formulations are fed free-choice • Available in blocks, tubs and cubes/pellets

ADM Cattle Nutrition • ADMAnimalNutrition.com/Beef 866-666-7626 • AN_BeefHelp@adm.com

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Please patronize these companies that support Ohio’s cattle industry The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Allied Industry Council is a business partnership that supports educational efforts and leadership opportunities for cattlemen to advance Ohio’s beef cattle industry.

ADM Animal Nutrition Dan Meyer 330-466-3281, Kevin Steele 330-465-0962 www.admworld.com Ag Credit David White 419-435-7758 | www.agcredit.net Ag Nation Products Bob and Marie Clapper 1-800-247-3276 | www.agnation.com Ag-Pro Ben Butcher & Jenna Watson 740-653-6951 | www.agprocompanies.com Allflex USA, Inc. Dave McElhaney 724-494-6199 | www.allflexusa.com Alliantgroup www.alliantgroup.com Alltech Ryan Sorensen 440-759-8938 | www.alltech.com Armstrong Ag & Supply Dean Armstrong 740-988-5681 Baird Private Wealth Management Patrick Saunders 740-446-2000 www.patricksaundersfc.com Bayer Crop Science Adam Frantz 937-538-6892, Christina Howell 419-295-9247, Dan Hutchins 614-546-9603 www.cropscience.bayer.com BioZyme, Inc. Lori Lawrence 614-395-9513 Ty McGuire 937-533-3251 www.biozymeinc.com Boehringer-Ingelheim Brent Tolle 502-905-7831 www.boehringer-ingelheim.com Burkmann Nutrition Brent Williams 859-236-0400 www.burkmann.com Cargill Animal Nutrition/Sunglo Chris Heslinger 937-751-9841 Tim Osborn 973-655-0644 www.cargill.com | www.sunglo.com COBA/Select Sires Kevin Hinds, Bruce Smith, Julie Ziegler 614-878-5333 www.cobaselect.com CompManagement, Inc. Tony Sharrock 614-376-5450 www.sedgwickcms.com CPC Animal Health Devon Trammel 615-688-6455 Paul Alan Kinslow 615-604-1852 www.cpcanimalhealth.com DHI Cooperative, Inc. Brian Winters 1-800-DHI-OHIO, Tim Pye 912-682-9798 www.dhicoop.com M.H. Eby Inc./Eby Trailers Kirk Swensen & Steve Rittenhouse 614-879-6901 | www.mheby.com Elanco Animal Health Jon Sweeney 515-249-2926, Jim Stefanak 330-298-8113 | www.elanco.com

Elgin Service Center - K Buildings Doug Hemm 937-216-5620 www.kbuildings.com WM. E. Fagaly & Son Inc. Ryan Greis, Chris McConnell 513-353-2150 | www.fagalyfeed.com Farm Credit Mid-America Wendy Osborn 937-444-0905, David Sanders 740-335-3306, Tara Durbin 740-892-3338 www.e-farmcredit.com Fennig Equipment Gary Fennig 419-953-8500 | www.fenningequipment.com Four Star Veterinary Service Taylor Engle 419-305-7494, Bryant Chapman 419-953-4523, Trey Gellert 419-953-4523 www.4starvets.com Heartland Bank Matt Bucklew 614-475-7024, Brian Fracker 740-349-7888, Joel M. Oney 614-475-7024, Chuck Woodson 614-506-0482, Seth Middleton 614-798-8818 | www.heartland.bank Heritage Cooperative Dale Stryffler 330-556-8465, Derek Fauber, David Monnin, Stef Lewis & Allan Robison 914-873-6736 www.heritagecooperative.com Highland Enterprises Curt & Allison Hively 330-457-2033 | www.highlandlivestocksupply.com ImmuCell Corporation Bobbi Brockmann 515-450-2035, Kathy Becher 800-466-2035, Becky Vincent 330-7058755 | www.firstdefensecalfhealth.com Johnson Concrete Livestock Waterers Brad McCormick 402-463-1359 www.johnsonconcreteproducts.com Kalmbach Feeds Jeff Neal 419-356-0128, Kyle Nickles & Cheryl Miller 419-294-3838 www.kalmbachfeeds.com Kent Feeds Patrick Barker 513-315-3833, Joseph Wright 937-213-1168 www.kentfeeds.com McArthur Lumber & Post Stan Nichols 740-596-2551| www.totalfarmandfence.com Mercer Landmark Randy Seeger 419-230-9832, Joe Siegrist 419-305-2451, Travis Spicer 419-733-9915, Chad Knapke 419-733-6434 | www.mercerlandmark.com Merck Animal Health Jake Osborn 937-725-5687 Seth Clark 330-465-2728 www.merck-animal-health-usa.com Multimin USA, Inc. Thomas Carper 540-336-2737 www.multiminusa.com Murphy Tractor Eric Bischoff 614-876-1141, Brent Chauvin 937-898-4198 www.murphytractor.com Nationwide Insurance Shawnda Vega 614-329-4500 www. farmagentfinder.com

New York Life Insurance Erin Stickel 419-344-2716 www.erinstickel.com Ohio CAT Linda Meier, Brian Speelman, Courtney Bush 614-851-3629 | www.ohiocat.com Ohio Cow Hunters Michael Hendren 740-404-3134, Chris Goodwin 740-823-2502, Carlie Milam 304-890-6788 www.ohiocowhunters.com Ohio Soybean Council Barry McGraw 614-476-3100 | www.soyohio.org PBS Animal Health Bridget Gillogly & Kevin Warrene 1-800-321-0235 | www.pbsanimalhealth.com Priefert Ranch Equipment Kayla Gray & Steve Campbell 903-434-8973; Corey Hinterer 304-625-1302 www.priefert.com Purina Animal Nutrition Patrick Gunn 317-967-4345, Cy Prettyman 470-360-5538, Kira Morgan 812-480-2715 | www.purinamills.com Quality Liquid Feeds Joe Foster 614-560-5228 | www.qlf.com Reed & Baur Insurance Agency Jim & Paula Rogers 866-593-6688 | www.reedbaurinsurance.com Rod’s Western Palace Eric Seaman 614-262-2512 | www.rods.com Saunders Insurance Agency John Saunders, Scott Saunders, Brett Steinback 740-446-0404 saundersins.com ST Genetics Aaron Arnett 614-947-9931 | www.stgen.com Straight A’s Nikki McCarty 330-868-1182 | www.ranchcity.com Sunrise Co-op, Inc. Phil Alstaetter 937-575-6780 | www.sunriseco-op.com Umbarger Show Feeds Jackson Umbarger 317-422-5195, Eric King 419-889-7443 | www.umbargerandsons.com United Producers, Inc. Sam Roberts, Bill Tom, Hayley Maynard 1-800-456-3276 | www.uproducers.com Vytelle, LLC Tricia Parrish, DVM 740-641-3217, Michael Bishop 608-345-1822, Taylor Grussing 605680-9504 | www.vytelle.com Weaver Leather Livestock Angela Kain & Lisa Shearer 330-674-1782 Karli Mast 330-674-1782 www.weaverleather.com The Wendt Group Kevin Wendt 614-626-7653, Dale Evans 260894-0458, Nick Cummings 740-572-0756, Tyler Wilt 740-572-1249, Wesley Black 740572-1670 | www.thewendtgroup.com For information about joining OCA’s Allied Industry Council, call the OCA Office 614.873.6736 or visit www.ohiocattle.org. Winter Issue 2021 | Ohio Cattleman | 33

For information about joining OCA’s Allied Industry Council, call the OCA Office 614.873.6736 or visit www.ohiocattle.org.


Parting Shots OCA Visits Eastern and Southeastern Ohio The OCA officer team joined OCA staff on a two-day tour of several operations in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio. The team enjoyed engaging with producers and allied industry partners representing backgrounding, commercial cow/calf, seedstock, beef packing and the restaurant sectors of the beef industry. They made visits to the following: Rob Calaway, Proctorville; Mat Toler and Jon Davis, Diamond T Land & Cattle, Bidwell; Matt Atha, Larry Simmons Farm, Coolville; Route 7 Feed & Supply, Stephanie & Jeff Cox, Tuppers Plains; Pine Ridge Meat Processing, Zach Henthorn, Fleming; The Bear’s Den Steakhouse, Chef Steve Wagner and Randy Raber, Red Hill Farm, Cambridge; Youngs Cattle Company, Rick and Jayne Young, Belmont; Shugert Farms, Bob Shugert and Steve Harris, Belmont; Muskingum Livestock Auction Co, Zanesville.

The Bear’s Den Steakhouse

Diamond T Land & Cattle

Muskingum Livestock Auction Co.

Advertisers’ Index

Pine Ridge Meat Processing

The Miami County Cattlemen’s Association recently represented Ohio’s cattle industry by preparing burgers for the dedication of the new plaza at the Miami County Courthouse. 34 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

ADM................................................................32 American Angus Association.............................35 Armstrong Ag & Supply......................................12 American Buffalo Knife and Tool............................ Buckeye Hereford Association...........................21 COBA / Select Sires....................................2 & 21 First Defense....................................................13 Four Star Vet Service.........................................26 Heritage Cooperative........................................35 Highland Livestock Supply.................................35 Kalmbach Feeds.................................. Back Cover Karr Farms.......................................................23 Norbrook............................................................5 Novak Town Line Farm.......................................21 Ohio Beef Council.............................................27 PBS Animal Health............................................13 Prime Picked Products......................................29 Reed & Baur Insurance Agency..........................21 Saltwell Western Store......................................13 Trennepohl Farms.............................................21 Weaver..................................................... 16 & 17


Angus. America’s Breed. Alex Tolbert, Regional Manager Kentucky Ohio Tennessee

A reliable business partner is difficult to come by. Contact Alex Tolbert to locate Angus genetics, select marketing options tailored to your needs, and to access American Angus Association® programs and services. Put the business breed to work for you. Contact Regional Manager Alex Tolbert: Cell: 706-338-8733 atolbert@angus.org

3201 Frederick Ave. | St. Joseph, MO 64506 816.383.5100 | www.ANGUS.org © 2020-2021 American Angus Association

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PROTEIN- 12% FAT- 4% FIBER- 12%

PROTEIN- 11% FAT- 4% FIBER- 8%

PROTEIN- 13% FAT- 3.5% FIBER- 16%

(T5904FOC)

(T5902FOC)

Kick it up a notch with the power of spelts! This unique ingredient will add depth of flank and rib-shape while increasing condition. Great for maternal breeds! Guts & Glory is feeding more champions than any other FOC product. PROTEIN- 12% FAT- 3.5% FIBER- 14%

SHOW FEEDS

36 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2021

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