Geauga Co. steer under investigation

SALEM, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Agriculture has launched an investigation of the Geauga County Fair’s grand champion market steer.
Ag department spokesman Bill Schwaderer confirmed Oct. 31 the department was looking closer at urine tests for the project animal shown by Clark Adams.
Taking steps. The state department of agriculture and veterinarians test urine from every grand and reserve champion livestock project statewide to ensure a level playing field for all competitors and to discourage showring tampering.
Schwaderer said the department’s enforcement section is examining results of that steer’s urine sample, which threw red flags, to “find out what happened, what that animal was given and why.”
Schwaderer said any contamination may have been accidental.
After the investigation wraps up, the department’s legal section will explain its findings to the exhibitor. Clark Adams would then have 30 days to request a hearing with the ODA.
“Often it’s guilty ’til proven innocent, but remember it’s the other way around,” Schwaderer said.
(Reporter Andrea Zippay welcomes feedback by phone at 800-837-3419 or by e-mail at azippay@farmanddairy.com.)