– Stan Smith, OSU Extension PA, Fairfield County

Cost has not been a deterrent . . . consumers want high quality beef!

Beef cattle educational programs planned for early in 2020 have been designed to help Ohio cattlemen take full advantage of what’s expected to be continued strength in the beef cattle sector throughout the coming year.

Despite total U.S. beef production being up in 2019 over last year, demand for beef remains strong. While the progress with recent trade agreements certainly bodes well for prices, much of the strength in demand domestically is for high-quality beef as indicated by a weekly Choice-Select spread that has averaged $22.84/cwt. since June, compared to $12.09/cwt. for the same period last year.

Over this decade, cattlemen have made significant progress in the quality of the product we’re producing. While the industry averaged 61% Choice and 3% Prime in 2010, we’re ending this decade with 71% of our cattle grading Choice and 8.5% Prime . . . and it’s still not enough!

As we enter a new decade, Ohio’s cattlemen have several opportunities this winter to explore ways to meet the demands we’re seeing for more high-quality beef. Realizing that genetic choices and nutrition management during gestation not only impact the odds of birthing a live calf, but also the odds of that calf eventually grading Choice or Prime, these far reaching programs will be of value to both cow/calf and feedyard owners. Make plans now to attend as many of these sessions as possible.

January 20, 2020, 6 p.m., OSU Animal Science Building, Columbus Campus.
OCA Cattlemen’s Academy; focusing on bull selection, nutritional management of the prepartum cow, calving facilities, determining calf presentation and calving assistance techniques.

January 29, 2020, 6 p.m., Luckey Farmers Inc. main office in Sandusky Co.
Ohio Beef Cattle Management and Nutrition School session #1; focusing on Continue reading →

– John F. Grimes, OCA Replacement Female Sale Manager

Approximately 95 females, either bred or with calf at side and less than 5 years old, will sell Friday evening.

This is the final reminder to attend the seventh annual Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Replacement Female Sale.  The sale will be held this Friday, November 29, at the Muskingum Livestock facility located at 944 Malinda Street in Zanesville and will begin at 6:00 p.m. This sale represents an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to add quality young replacement females to their herd.

There are approximately 95 lots selling in the sale consisting of bred heifers, bred cows, and cow-calf pairs.  All females selling are less than five years of age at sale time.  A detailed listing of the cattle selling with complete breeding information and videos of the cattle have been posted at Continue reading →

– Al Gahler, OSU Extension Educator, Sandusky County

Dr. Francis Fluharty returns to Ohio in January to teach during the first sessions of the Ohio Beef Cattle Nutrition and Management School

Mark your calendars now for the Ohio Beef Cattle Nutrition and Management School, to be held in 2 locations, with 2 sessions at each locale.  Session 1 will focus on utilizing small grains in the diets of all ages and production groups of beef cattle, utilizing alternative forages, and managing your herd or feedlot with lower quality feedstuffs.  This discussion will be led by our former OSU research nutritionist and current University of Georgia Department of Animal Sciences Chair, Dr. Francis Fluharty.  Session 1 will take place from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Sandusky County at Luckey Farmers Inc. main office on January 29th, and 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the OSU Newark Campus in Licking County on January 30th.

Session 2 will also be Continue reading →

– Clif Little, OSU Extension Educator, Guernsey County

OSU Extension and the Eastern Agriculture Research Station has made plans for the 2019 Fall Beef School. The dates for the school are Tuesday, October 1, 8, and 15, starting at 6:00 p.m. to 8 pm. The programs will be held at the OSU Eastern Agricultural Research Station in Belle Valley, (16870 Bond Ridge Rd Caldwell, Ohio 43724). A meal will be provided with registration. The school has been designed to address practical issues facing beef producers.

The first night will cover cattle handling. The second night will cover winter feed supplementation. The last night will focus on cattle health management and beef production record keeping.

The cost of the program is $25, which covers registration for one or all three days. Registration deadline is September 27. Please register by completing and returning the registration form found linked here.

– John F. Grimes, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Replacement Female Sale Manager

Featuring bred females that have met several genetic, health, and age criteria!

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) is providing an opportunity for both the buyers and sellers of beef breeding cattle this fall. On Friday evening, November 29, the OCA will be hosting their seventh annual Replacement Female Sale. The sale will be held at the Muskingum Livestock facility in Zanesville and will begin at 6:00 p.m.

The 2019 Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Replacement Female Sale will provide an opportunity for both buyers and sellers to meet the need for quality replacements in the state. Consignments may include cow-calf pairs, bred cows and bred heifers. Females must be under the age of five as of January 1, 2020 and may be of registered or commercial background. Bred females must be Continue reading →

On July 30, 2019, Cathann A. Kress, Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, along with Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and Telhio Credit Union, will host the inaugural Dean’s Charity Steer Show benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC). This event brings together our community to celebrate agriculture and support children and their families that rely on RMHC during difficult times. The show and sale will feature local celebrity exhibitors partnered with a 4-H member and their steer. All funds raised will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Ohio. Make a . . .

Continue reading Dean’s Charity Steer Show