2010 Marks Another Successful Ohio Beef Expo
The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association hosted the 23rd Annual Ohio Beef Expo March 19-21, 2010, at the Ohio Exposition Center in Columbus, Ohio. This year’s Expo was a success with the largest attendance to date with over 30,000 people from 20 states and Canada. The Ohio Beef Expo is the eighth largest event held in central Ohio and is an annual opportunity for those involved with the beef industry to learn and enhance their businesses and operations through exhibition and sales.

The event kicked off Friday morning with the opening of the sold out trade show that featured 110 exhibitors from 15 different states. COBA/Select Sires, represented by Bruce Smith and Julie Ziegler, was selected as the premier small booth exhibitor while Cashman’s Livestock Equipment, represented by Terry Glassford and Andrea Cashman, was honored as the large premier booth exhibitor.

Friday also featured four breed shows as well as displays or parades from eight other breeds. The ever popular Genetic Pathway was also available for visitors beginning on Friday in the main hallway of the Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center. There were 25 of the industry’s most popular sires and donor prospects on display throughout the weekend.

Honored for their dedication and support to the Expo were the 2010 Friends of the Ohio Beef Expo. This special award was given to Sam Roberts of Clark County and Laura Sutherly of Miami County for their dedication and support of the event over the years.

Events for juniors involved in the beef industry kicked off Friday night with a fitting demonstration and pizza party. Junior events continued Saturday with the judging contest, beef quality assurance session and the showmanship competition that featured over 300 exhibitors. The youth portion of the Expo concluded Sunday with the junior market animal and heifer show that featured 615 head of cattle exhibited by youth from all over the state.
Another busy place throughout the weekend was the OCA membership booth. Throughout the weekend, OCA signed up or renewed close to 200 memberships including over 75 NCBA memberships. J&J Steakbarn, owned by Jim and Jackie Murray, teamed up with the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association to help with OCA’s annual membership drive and gave away a $100 J&J Steakbarn gift on Sunday at the conclusion of the Trade Show. Any current or new OCA member who stoped by the OCA membership booth during the Ohio Beef Expo was eligible to sign up for the drawing of this great prize. Bob Sautter of Crawford County was the big winner of the gift certificate.

OCA also received support for its membership drive from Ohio Corn Growers Association who sponsored the OCA County Recruitment Contest for 2010. County Affiliates were entered into the drawing as they completed their membership goals for the year. Highland County Cattlemen’s Association won a new five foot stainless steel grill at the conclusion of the trade show on Sunday, March 21.

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association is an affiliate of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and is the state’s spokesperson and issues manager for all segments of the beef cattle industry including cattle breeders, producers and feeders. It is the grass roots policy development organization for the beef business. Through the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, cattle producers work to create a positive business environment, while providing consumers with a safe and wholesome product.