Harsh Realities

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

Managing Editor Hanna Fosbrink

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 issue is 3,086.

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 Spring Issue must be received by April 16, 2022 Ohio Cattleman Advertising Rates

Full Page $460 2/3 Page $345 1/2 Page $260 1/3 Page $175 1/4 Page $145 1/8 Page $105 Business Card $65 Classified Ad $50 Four Color $270 One Additional Color $90

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

OCA Staff

Elizabeth Harsh Executive Director Ron Windnagel Director of Accounting & Operations Hanna Fosbrink Manager of Communications & Managing Editor Karigan Blue BEST Program Coordinator Tiffany Arnett Office & Project Manager Nicole Schultz Manager of Consumer Programs & Digital Marketing

The best time of the year

By Elizabeth Harsh, Ohio Cattleman Editor

It’s Ohio Beef Expo time and one of the absolute best times of the year, if you ask my opinion. There is no other event in the state that combines all aspects of the beef industry into one massive event like the Beef Expo and OCA takes tremendous pride in making it happen each year. The Expo’s volunteers, sponsors, trade show exhibitors, show and sale participants and junior show enthusiasts all play an important role in the success of the event.

As the pandemic and its many challenges fades in our rearview mirror, we welcome this Expo with a renewed optimism as it picks up with the same great momentum from where it left off two years ago. This year’s Expo includes a soldout trade show, increased breed sales numbers and a return of the judging contest and youth quality assurance training. It also includes the return of popular social activities like the Thursday Night Social and PAC Auction at the Hilton Polaris and the Cowboy Happy Hours at the OCA booth in the middle of the trade show. The online Feeder Sale on Friday morning brings an added dimension to the Expo that is also extremely well-received. And for the first time ever, the Expo will expand to use the Coliseum for all junior activities.

Truly, industry optimism abounds at all levels. At the recent Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA trade show in Houston the marketing experts at CattleFax shared their optimism for the industry. Their forecast indicated that cattle prices and profitability for producers are heading in the right direction. Working through the backup of 1 million head of fed cattle over the last year and a half has resulted in cattle markets and producers being in a much more favorable position to start 2022 than they have been since 2014. After three consecutive years of a smaller calf crop, the tighter supplies will lend support to producer segments gaining a higher percentage of the overall value of the cattle and beef dollars. Issues around labor and packing capacity will continue to persist but are expected to improve as we move through the year.

This same level of optimism exists when you consider the issues OCA engaged in on your behalf in the last year. These include working with NCBA to successfully hold off the threat of federal tax hikes that jeopardize the viability of our farms, as well as the next generation of producers. In addition, OCA is continuing efforts to increase transparency within the cattle markets.

OCA also represented our members on the uncertainty around the return of the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule. This fight for clear and consistent WOTUS rules continues. Following convention NCBA submitted a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of over 1,600 cattle producers from 44 states calling for a definition of WOTUS that allows cattle producers to continue being stewards of the environment while efficiently running their operations. Special thanks to OCA’s very engaged and active members. When asked to sign this letter, you responded! Ohio was fifth in the number of producers signing, behind states like Texas, Nebraska and Kansas, all of which proportionately have many more cattle and cattle producers. You make us proud!

The Expo provides the perfect opportunity to visit about these issues and others and it is just another reason that the Ohio Beef Expo is one of the best times of the year. Hope to see you there!