In case you missed it, this year’s Fair was a tremendous success . . . especially in terms of Fairfield County cattleman activities! Here’s a recap:
The first ever Chili Cookoff with Beef sponsored by the cattlemen and held at the Fair was successful beyond any reasonable expectations! There were 45 entries, and 33 pots of chili arrived on time at the Fair to be judged. Judges included Ohio Cattleman’s Association President Frank Phelps, OSU Extension Beef Programs Coordinator John Grimes, Pickaway County Extension Educator Mike Estadt, and Fairfield County’s own connoisseur of fine Fair food, Rick Crutcher.
Over 75 spectators and exhibitors watched as the judges spent an hour and a half carefully sampling and scoring each chili. Throughout the afternoon, local WLRY radio host Mike O’Riley visited with former National Beef Ambassadors Demi Snider and Sierra Jepsen along with Connie Smith from OSU Extension and members of the audience about how various cuts or grinds of beef might be included in a chili recipe.
Congratulations to these winners (all are residents of Fairfield County):
1. Josette Pierce, New Mexico Big Jim Chili with Crunchy Toppings
2. Caleb Starr (from the Bloom Carroll FFA), Mom’s Homemade Chili
3. Jane Mills, Diamond J Chili
4. Nessley Family Farm, Quick and Easy Chili
5. Teresa Cook, Wake Your Senses Chili
Plans are in the works to publish each of the recipes . . . stay tuned.
Under the sponsorship of the Fairfield County Cattlemen, the first Bred, Born and Raised Show for beef females from Fairfield County was held during the open class beef show on Thursday. Congratulations to local youth Morgan Love and Kelsey Decker who were slapped Champion and Reserve. The cattlemen hope to sponsor a B, B & R for the Junior Beef Breeding Show next year.
This year the cattlemen hosted a display in the AAA building at the Fair in cooperation with OSU Extension. It included Jethro the steer where youth could have their photo taken ‘leading’ Jethro.
In addition, hundreds of beef recipe booklets were distributed in the display at the Fair, and many more fair goers stretched their knowledge of the products made from beef with the ‘by-products board’, all of which was provided by the Ohio Beef Council!
As has been the case for many years, the County cattleman’s Steak Trailer was open for business throughout the Fair, and the sales allowed the Cattlemen to guarantee that no Junior market beef exhibitor received less than a $1000 Premium bid for their market steers and heifers.
All in all, it was a great week of promoting the beef cattle industry at every level!