COLUMBUS — Bill Tom, of Spring Valley, Ohio, has been named director for the Ohio State Fair beef department.
Tom is the Cargill AgHorizons general manager and Farm Service Group leader for the greater Ohio region.
Raised on a beef farm in southeastern Ohio, he is a graduate of The Ohio State University with an animal science degree. He has extensive experience in the beef industry and animal nutrition, and has shown cattle across the United States.
Changes for 2012 fair
At this year’s Ohio State Fair, four additional heifer divisions, Lim-Flex, MaineTainer, ShorthornPlus and Percentage Simmental, will be eligible to compete in the supreme champion beef breeding female competition Aug. 4 prior to the selection of the grand champion market animal.
Premiums are $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, $500 for third place, $300 for fourth place and $200 for fifth place.
Along with the four new breeds, Angus, Chianina, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Maine Anjou, Simmental and Shorthorn breeds will be eligible to compete in the beef breeding female division.
Market show update
The beef department introduced a few market animal competition changes in 2012 as well. The arrival period for market animals will begin later this year, opening on Wednesday, Aug. 1 and closing promptly at 10 a.m. Aug. 2.
The auction of stalling rights under the viaduct or in the Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center will not take place for 2012.
Breed champions will compete for the overall market animal champion. There will not be a purebred breed champion and reserve champion named in the show.
As in previous years, the grand and reserve grand champion market animal will be sold in the Sale of Champions Aug. 5.
As a new addition for 2012, premiums for individuals placing third through fifth in the overall market animal division are as follows: third place, $1,000; fourth, $600; fifth, $400.
The 2012 Ohio State Fair will run July 25 through Aug. 5. For more information, call 1-888-OHO-EXPO or 1-614-644-FAIR. Information is also available online at ohiostatefair.com.
