The Ohio State Fair requires all market beef entered in the 2017 Ohio State Fair to have individual DNA samples taken from each animal that may potentially be entered. These DNA samples must be in the possession of the Ohio State Fair by January 15, 2017.

Click here for a document containing sample collection instructions: final-dna-sample-collection-instructions-2017. Those of you who are not familiar with last year’s procedures may have several questions, but hopefully by having these instructions now will give you a heads up on the requirements. Therefore, please read the attached instructions that will be a part of each sample collection kit and contact Stacey French, Agricultural Department at the Ohio State Fair, if you have any questions. Stacey’s phone number is 614.644.4049 and email is s.french@expo.state.oh.us.

DNA sample collection kits may be picked up either by 4-H professionals, FFA advisors, or the actual individual directly from Stacey French on the OSF fairgrounds. Prior to submission, the nomination envelope for each sample kit remitted must be signed by either the 4-H professional or FFA advisor, depending in which organization the youth is taking the market animal(s).

Also note that those showing at any of the BEST sanctioned shows must have EID tags in their calves prior to the first show in which they exhibit. BEST shows prior to the January 15 deadline to submit samples to OSF include: Heart of It All, November 26-27, Lima; AGR Holiday Classic, December 10-11, Columbus; and Scarlet & Gray Midwest Showdown, January 7-8, Columbus.