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 Summer Issue must be received by June 22, 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

Maybe Spring

By Elizabeth Harsh, Ohio Cattleman Editor

It’s spring in Ohio. That means 30 degrees and blowing snow one day and 70 degrees and rain the next. At least the grass is a little greener, whenever the mud and snow subsides. At the risk of sounding like a cynic, I realize there are many more important issues in the world currently than spring’s slow arrival.

Government reports put US inflation at a 40-year high. Rising costs and volatile commodity markets impact everyone, but always hit agriculture especially hard. Since I’m not an economist, I’m not going to pretend to be one by discussing how we got here and how we fix it.

What I do know is, it’s an election year and your choices matter. Who wins elections has significant economic impact on your farm and your ability to pass it on to the next generation. Now more that ever, apathy doesn’t cut it. Do real homework on the candidates, by studying more than your social media scroll, and make your vote count. Get engaged at the local level and learn where each candidate stands on the issues.

The cattle industry has tremendous friends in Congress and the Ohio General Assembly, as well as many other elected positions. The problem is, we don’t have enough of them who understand what it’s like to slog through the mud and elements with a newborn calf that needs extra care, or feed cattle in the sleet and rain. Hat’s off to those individuals that put themselves out there and run for office. In today’s divisive environment throwing your hat in the political ring takes real courage but is so very important. We need more of you.

Thank you to those members who engage by supporting OCA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) fund. Your PAC contributions help OCA support elected officials who share your views on the issues important to your farm and family. There are many ways you can make a PAC contribution. They include designating a PAC donation with your OCA membership payment, donating online through OCA’s website, or supporting OCA’s PAC auction fundraisers.

The association’s next PAC fundraiser will be held at the OCA BEST Awards Banquet on May 7, at the Ohio Expo Center and State fairgrounds in Columbus. All OCA members are welcome to attend or donate an auction item. But it may be tough to beat artist C. J. Brown’s PAC auction donation at the recent Ohio Beef Expo. A steadfast PAC supporter, C.J. painted four cattle faces with a realistic O-H-I-O on each head creating the perfect Buckeye cattle print. Thank you for this tremendous donation and the support of many other donors and buyers.

The week following the Expo, OCA board members gathered in Columbus to join leaders from the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association to host members of Ohio’s General Assembly for the Cattle, Corn and Wheat reception. These events are important to further develop relationships with members of the Ohio House and Senate and share cattle industry views. While you’re busy on the farm feeding cattle and calving cows, OCA is at work representing industry priorities and having the important conversations. Thanks to OCA’s board members who provide the industry voice and personal stories that make a positive impact.

This issue should arrive before the state’s scheduled primary election on May 3. My message is simple. Be informed and vote.