Convention Chaos

By Tom Karr, OCA President

OCA Directors

Shane Riley Director At-Large

Washington C.H. • Term expires 2023 740-572-2044, shane.rileywch@gmail.com

Jim Rogers Director At-Large

Logan • Term expires 2023 740-591-7311, jrogers@reedbaur.com

Frank Phelps Director At-Large

Belle Center • Term expires 2025 937-539-1442, frankph@watchtv.net

Jaymes Maciejewski District 1

New Bavaria • Term expires 2023 309-222-0850, jaymes.maciejewski@gmail.com

Andy Lohr District 2

Bucyrus • Term expires 2024 419-569-3613, andylohr61@gmail.com

John Ferguson District 3

Chardon • Term expires 2025 440-478-0782, john@fergusonshowcattle.com

Mark Goecke District 4

Spencerville • Term expires 2023 419-233-3101, goeckefarms@gmail.com

Jason Dagger District 5

Cable• Term expires 2024 937-604-8820, jason.dagger@rwe.com

Kirsten Nickles District 6

Wooster • Term expires 2025 330-345-0477, KNickles@certifiedangusbeef.com

Brad Thornburg District 7

Barnesville • Term expires 2023

740-310-9196, thornburgcattle@yahoo.com

Linde Sutherly District 8

New Carlisle • Term expires 2024 937-875-0670, linde@lindeslivestockphotos.com

Jim Jepsen District 9

Amanda • Term expires 2025

614-560-5919, jepsen.drfarms@gmail.com

Sarah Ison District 10

Moscow • Term expires 2023

513-314-5382, sarah.ison01@gmail.com

Lindsey Hall District 11

Hillsboro • Term expires 2024

937-763-8115, lindseycgrimes@gmail.com

Dale Taylor • District 12

Bidwell • Term expires 2025

740-709-6461,daletaylorfarming@gmail.com

February has arrived! The days, weeks, and months seem to fly once we turn the corner on the Christmas holiday season, and suddenly February seems to start giving us back a little more daylight everyday. There is one minute and three seconds more daylight each day after December 21, the shortest day of the year. But it takes us a couple of months to notice it!

The NCBA Convention kicked off January 31 in New Orleans. There were nearly 8,500 people expected for the event, but a little bit of snow and ice sent a panic through Dallas and all of Texas, delaying, cancelling or stranding 2,500 unhappy travelers. Taylor Sheridan, director, and co-author of the hit television series “Yellowstone,” couldn’t get to the Big Easy for the opening session, but they were able to live stream an interview with Taylor from his ranch house at the Four Sixes 6666. He talked about his real passion to continue to highlight the western ranching lifestyle and keep the real cowboy heritage alive and well.

Two of the Yellowstone cowboys, Ethan Lee and Forrie J. Smith “Lloyd” did make the trip. I guess they might be a little more “cowboy” than Taylor.

Archie Manning, NFL quarterback for the Saints, filled-in as a speaker. Buzz Brainard, radio personality from Nashville, emceed the daily sessions again this year. Buzz never disappoints and enjoys interaction with cattle producers. His interview with Archie was very entertaining, as they talked about his career with the Saints, his sons Peyton and Eli’s NFL careers, and his third son Cooper, who’s football career was cut short with a spinal injury early in his collegiate days. He also mentioned, very humbly, a grandson, Cooper’s son, that has been attracting national attention and his name just happens to be “Arch.”

The business side of the convention was packed with so much valuable information, it was hard to absorb. The annual session with CattleFax is always a highlight. Their long-term weather forecasts have usually been very accurate. The warmer ocean water, La Nina, has run an historic duration, but is showing signs of weakening, probably signalling the start of an El Nino and a slow easing of the terrible drought in the West. Unfortunately, for our area in the Midwest, they are forecasting a cool, wet spring which could delay planting. The increasing moisture will linger into late summer, with increasing temperatures to follow.

I have said many times, if you can schedule the time in early February to attend an NCBA Convention, or better yet, help sponsor a young cattleman to attend, you will not be disappointed and amazed by the wealth of information available.

Of course, March is Ohio Beef Expo month and just around the corner. This year is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever as we celebrate the Expo’s 35th anniversary!

I hope to see you all in Columbus.