MARYSVILLE, Ohio — The Best of the Buckeye Program, hosted by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association in conjunction with the Ohio Beef Expo and the Ohio State Fair, is preparing for its fifth season.
The Best of the Buckeye recognizes top-placing Ohio-bred, born and registered calves, along with the breeder and exhibitor, in each breed division at the two shows.
This year, $60,000 will be given through premiums at each show, scholarships and awards for both participants and breeders.
The program provides Ohio seedstock breeders an additional marketing opportunity, creates a source for moderately priced show steers and heifers by providing a program with awards and prestige and attracts new participants interested in showing at the Ohio Beef Expo and/or the Ohio State Fair with the benefit of added premiums.
Use the logo
Breeders are encouraged to use the Best of the Buckeye logo for use in printed and digital promotion of Best of the Buckeye eligible cattle. The logo may be downloaded from the website at www.ohiocattle.org or requested by email at beef@ohiobeef.org.
New for 2018, a breeder recognition category has been added. All nominating breeders will be recognized on the website at ohiocattle.org and will also be recognized for their honors achieved with the cattle they sell and nominate for the program.
Scholarship opportunities
The Best of the Buckeye program will offer scholarship opportunities for participants to offset the cost of purchasing, raising and exhibiting a Best of the Buckeye nominated calf.
Scholarships will be awarded to less-experienced participants, ages 8-21, with consideration given to the applicant’s financial need. Scholarship applications can be found at www.ohiocattle.org/Youth/best-of-the-buckeye and are due on Jan. 15.
Nominating breeders meeting age requirements can also apply.
Academic scholarships
Academic scholarships will be offered to youth pursuing a post-high school degree. Scholarships will be based on academics and extracurricular activities.
The scholarship is open to high school juniors through age 21 as of Jan. 1, 2018. Academic scholarships will be awarded to participants and breeders pursuing an ag-related degree and may be awarded to applicants who are entering a non-ag related field of study (based on the number of applications).
All scholarship applicants will also be required to submit an essay along with their application.
The scholarship deadline is June 15, and scholarships will be presented at the Ohio State Fair.
Eligibility
For cattle to be eligible for the Best of the Buckeye program, they must be registered and bred by an Ohio cattleman and born in state. ET Calves and calves out of purchased bred cows are eligible if they were born in Ohio and list an Ohio cattleman as the breeder and are calved in Ohio.
Breeders and exhibitors must be OCA members and in good standing with OCA to be eligible.
The breeder or exhibitor may submit the nomination forms and fee for the Best of the Buckeye nominations. Cattle that are nominated prior to the Ohio Beef Expo by March 1, 2018, and prior to the Ohio State Fair by June 20, 2018, will incur a $25 per head nomination fee per show. Cattle may be nominated for both shows by March 1, 2018, for a rate of $40.
Breeders will have the opportunity to nominate cattle through check-in at the Ohio Beef Expo and at the Ohio State Fair at an increased late nomination fee of $75 per head.
For more information, contact the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association at 614-873-6736 or email beef@ohiobeef.org.
