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.
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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
