MARYSVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) held its Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Jan. 13, 2024, at the Hilton Polaris Hotel, Columbus, Ohio. Cattlemen and women from across the state gathered to engage in important association business, hear updates from many industry partners and recognize the recipients of several prestigious industry awards.

Todd Wilkinson, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), joined members to present an industry update on policy issues. In addition, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Brian Baldridge spoke briefly about the current programs and new construction underway at the department.

OCA President Mark Goecke, of Allen County, led the OCA Annual Meeting. The first order of business was awarding the association’s Top Hand members. The OCA Top Hands are awarded for recruiting five or more OCA members throughout the year. The Top Hands for 2023 were:

Frank Phelps, Logan County, was the top recruiter. Additional Top Hand winners were Kolby Brock, Delaware County; Austin Cole, Preble County; John Ferguson, Geauga County; Glen Feichtner, Crawford County; Mark Goecke, Allen County; Sarah Ison, Clermont County; Jim Jepsen, Fairfield County; Andy Lohr, Crawford County; Allan Robison, Champaign County; Amber Shoemaker, Stark County; Demni Snider, Hardin County; and Becky Vincent, Stark County.

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation (OCF) also held its annual meeting to award 23 scholarships to beef industry youth who have aspirations of pursuing careers in the agriculture and beef industry. The following are the 2023 scholarship recipients:

Cattlemen’s Gala Scholarships

Megan Becker, Washington County

Raymond Benecker, Butler County

Owen Brinker, Wood County

Sadie Holman, Licking County

Maria McIntosh, Champaign County

Charity Moore, Montgomery County

Delaney Moore, Fairfield County

Rachel O’Reilly, Geauga County

McKenzie Pitcock, Muskingum County

Emma Truance, Gallia County

Samantha VanVorhis, Wood County

Zachary Zweibel, Allen County

 

Tagged for Greatness Scholarships

Megan Garrison, Belmont County

Luke Jennings, Clermont County

Katelynn Wallace, Miami County

Skyler Ward, Preble County

 

Cattlemen’s Country 

Club Scholarships

Harrison Blay, Portage County

Shala Graham, Licking County

Delaney Jones, Allen County

Anna Scheurman, Coshocton County

 

Noah Cox Memorial Scholarships

Makayla Heil, Noble County

 

Saltwell Expo Scholarship

Kayle Jennings, Clermont County

Cheyenne Myers, Stark County

Cattlewomen’s Association Scholarships

Makayla Heil, Noble County

 

During the Awards Banquet, attendees celebrated the achievements of their fellow cattlemen. The seven awards presented were as follows:

Outstanding County – Darke County Cattlemen’s Association

Young Cattleman of the Year – Drs. Stan & Dana Soehnlen, Navarre, Ohio

Environmental Stewardship Award - LB Porteus Farms, Coshocton, Ohio

Commercial Cattleman of the Year – Goecke Farms, Spencerville, Ohio

Seedstock Producer of the Year – Kingsway Angus, Tiffin, Ohio

Industry Service Award – Virgil Strickler, Columbus, Ohio

Industry Excellence Award – Dr. Steve DeBruin, DVM, Millersport, Ohio

The night ended with a social event and a live auction to raise money for OCA’s Political Action Committee (PAC), which raised over $12,000 to be used to support political candidates who support the beef cattle industry and to ensure representation at the State House and on Capitol Hill.

To learn more about OCA’s award winners or the Annual Meeting, visit www.ohiocattle.org.

The Outstanding County award is OCA’s opportunity to recognize the outstanding achievement, industry education, and consumer promotion efforts of counties from across the state. Activities, participation in OCA events, communication efforts, support of industry youth, and a cohesive partnership are all areas of focus for award recognition.

The Young Cattleman Award is presented to individuals or couples, typically under 40 years of age, who have demonstrated the initial stages of a successful beef operation and exhibited leadership potential. The recipient is also OCA’s automatic nominee to participate in the NCBA’s Young Cattlemen’s Conference.

The Seedstock Producer of the Year award is presented to Ohio farms that have demonstrated breeding success through their registered cattle operations. These farms utilize performance information and the latest technologies available to increase the predictability of the cattle they raise as breeding stock for others, in addition to maintaining a continued focus on meeting and exceeding the expectations of beef consumers.

The Industry Service Award is presented to those who have contributed to the betterment of Ohio’s beef industry through their careers or volunteer work. The award is presented for efforts made outside but complementary to beef production.

The Industry Excellence award is presented to beef producers who have worked throughout their careers for the betterment of Ohio’s beef industry. Recipients are those that have contributed as a volunteer and leader to the success of OCA and, through their individual cattle operations, have been trailblazers for the beef industry creating new paths for other beef producers to follow.