COLUMBUS — Cattlemen from the region are gearing up for the beef event of the year.
The Ohio Beef Expo takes place March 14-16 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. This year’s schedule once again includes breed sales, shows, educational seminars, trade show and a highly competitive junior show.
Attendees will also be able to take part in a silent auction and social hour March 14 and March 15.
Trade show
One highlight of the event is the trade show and it is growing every year.
Ohio Beef Expo Chairman Sam Sutherly said the trade show has grown so much that there is now a waiting list for vendors wanting a spot at the expo.
The trade show, which kicks off the Ohio Beef Expo at 8:30 a.m. March 14, will run throughout the event and features more than 100 exhibitors from 15 states.
The trade show has grown so much that some of it has been moved outside, and will contain more livestock trailers, chutes, rings and farm equipment.
“It has something for everyone. Our vendors are here with the latest technology for beef operations and producers can take that knowledge and put it into their system at home,” said Sutherly.
Educational seminars
A series of educational seminars will run throughout March 14, giving producers an opportunity to gain knowledge from industry experts about advancements and current trends, and will allow producers to improve their own operations in areas such as marketing and herd management.
A complete list of seminars is available at the bottom.
“There is plenty for producers to take in, take home and use in their own operations,” said Sutherly.
Sutherly said it hasn’t been confirmed, but he is hoping that the Ohio State Extension beef team will hold a session to talk about producers using byproducts from ethanol plants as a feed source.
Another educational session Sutherly said juniors should not miss is the how to fit and show cattle properly.
“It is one of our most popular,” said Sutherly.
Cattle
Cattle from across the country will be represented at the event through the breed shows, sales and displays. There will be five breed shows and a few breed parades.
Sutherly said he expects more than 650 head of cattle to be at the show this year.
These events provide attendees a first-hand look at breeds including Angus, Charolais, Chianina, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Miniature Hereford, Murray Grey, Shorthorn and Simmental.
Breeders will be on hand to sell or display their cattle and anyone interested may view sale catalogs online at www.ohiobeefexpo.com by clicking on the sales link.
Streaming video
For those unable to attend the sales, live streaming video will be provided on the Angus, Chianina, Hereford, Shorthorn and Simmental sales March 15. Coverage can be accessed through the expo website or liveauctions.tv.
Junior events
Another popular event at the Ohio Beef Expo is the junior show set to begin at 8 a.m. March 16.
It will feature a heifer and a steer show and is open to Ohio youth only. A complete list of rules for the show can be found at www.ohiobeefexpo.com.
Live streaming of the junior market animal show and heifer show will be provided through livestockworld.tv.
Other junior events this year include a welcome party March 14, with the competition continuing March 15 with a judging contest followed by junior showmanship.
Prizes
Sutherly wanted to remind members of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association to stop by the OCA booth at the trade show to register for a chance to win prizes.
During the prize drawing March 16, one OCA member will receive a year’s use of a New Holland BR7060 Rotor baler, donated by Franklin
Equipment
Current OCA members will automatically be entered in the drawing.
Those who renew or join at the OCA membership booth located in the center of the expo trade show will also have their name entered. Members renewing or joining at the OCA membership booth have additional incentives.
Another event, producers may not want to miss is the Cowboy Happy Hour. It will be held from 4-6 p.m. March 14 and from 4:30-6 p.m. March 15 in the main aisle of the trade show.
Special recognition
Two individuals will be recognized as Friends of the Ohio Beef Expo for their contribution to the event’s success.
Ginger Natolis, of Marietta, Ohio, and Sally Puzacke, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, are this year’s award recipients.
Natolis is a long-time Murray Grey breeder who has participated every year of the expo. At 85 years old, this will be her last year bringing cattle to the expo, where she will exhibit a cow/calf pair.
Puzacke and her husband own Saltwell Western Store and exhibit in the expo trade show. In 2011 they worked with the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation to begin the Saltwell Western Store Scholarship, funded by a percentage of their sales generated through the official line of expo clothing sold at expo.
Friday, March 14
7- 8:30 a.m. Trade Show set up for smaller vendors only
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Gilligan Complex open for junior show stalling
8 a.m. Voinovich Building opens for public access
8:30 a.m. Trade Show Open, Voinovich Building
10 a.m. Genetic Pathway Open, Voinvoich Building, through 1 p.m.
10 a.m. Educational Seminars begin, Voinovich Sale Rings
Breed shows begin
10 a.m. Gelbvieh Show, O’Neill Building
Limousin Show, Rauch Arena North Ring
10:30 a.m. Angus Parade, Rauch Arena South Ring
12:30 p.m. Hereford Show, Rauch Arena South Ring Shorthorn Show, Rauch Arena North Ring
1 p.m. Murray Grey Show, O’Neill Building
2 p.m. Miniature Hereford Show, Cooper Arena
Display Breeds: Charolais
1-6 p.m. Junior Show Check in, Gilligan Complex
3-5 p.m. Genetic Pathway Open, Voinovich Building
4-6 p.m. Cowboy Happy Hour, Voinovich Building
5 p.m. Junior Show Welcome Party & Fitting Demonstration
Saturday, March 15
8-8:45 a.m. Judging Contest Registration, Rauch Arena
8-11 a.m. Junior Show Check in, Gilligan Complex
8:30 a.m. Trade Show Open, Voinovich Building
9 a.m. Judging Contest, Rauch Arena
Junior Show arrival deadline
10 a.m. Genetic Pathway Open, Voinovich Building, until 1 p.m.
Sales
10 a.m. Shorthorn Sale, Voinovich Sale Ring 1
Hereford Sale, Voinovich Sale Ring 2
Noon Chianina Sale, Voinovich Sale Ring 1
Angus Sale, Voinovich Sale Ring 2
2 p.m. Simmental Sale, Voinovich Sale Ring 1
Maine Anjou Sale, Voinovich Sale Ring 2
4 p.m. Limousin Sale, Voinovich Sale Ring 2
Ohio Beef Expo Semen Sale, benefiting the junior show, will follow the Limousin Sale in Sale Ring 2
1 p.m. Youth Beef Quality Assurance, Rauch Arena (Juniors will be divided into two groups by age and both sessions will run concurrently.)
3 p.m. Junior Showmanship, Rauch Arena
3-5 p.m. Genetic Pathway Open, Voinovich Building
4:30-6 p.m. Cowboy Happy Hour, Voinovich Building
4:30 p.m. Judging Contest Awards, Rauch Arena
Sunday, March 16
8 a.m. Junior Show, Rauch Arena
8 a.m. Junior Market Animal Show
8:30 a.m. Trade Show Open, Voinovich Building
9 a.m. Junior Heifer Show Begins
10 a.m. Genetic Pathway Open, Voinovich Building, until 1 p.m.
