2022 Ohio State Fair

By Matt Reese

I have been attending the Ohio State Fair Sale of Champions for more than 20 years and auctioneer Johnny Regula has said it every year. He wants $100,000 for the Grand Champion Steer. Going into Sunday, Aug. 7, the record sale for the Grand Champion Steer at the Ohio State Fair was $85,000 from 2011. Every year Regula has said it, and every year he has come up short. The 2022 Sale, though, was different. 

“I’m going to get this out the way early,” Regula said as he took the microphone after Ryleigh Egbert from Auglaize County entered the sale ring with her Grand Champion Steer. “He has won more times than he has been beaten. This is a very unique, very special calf. This young girl lost her Grandpa this year. She told Grandpa, ‘This one is for you.’ And by gosh she did it. She did it…It is time to sell him.… Continue reading

Grand Champion Market Beef Animal Interview

Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef Animal Interview

… Continue reading

Grand Champion Market Barrow Interview

Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow Interview

Third: Avery Andrews, Wayne County

Fourth: Landon Elchinger, Henry County

Fifth: Makenah Rohr, Stark County

Sixth: Kane Ellwood, Tuscarawas County

Seventh: Megan Smith-McCarley, Pickaway County

Eighth: Landon Rohr, Stark County

Ninth: Brodie Wheeler, Delaware County

Tenth: Claire Winkle, Highland County… Continue reading

Grand Champion Market Lamb Interview

Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb Interview

Grand Champion Market Goat Interview

… Continue reading

Grand Champion Pen of Meat Chickens Interview

Reserve Grand Champion Pen of Meat Chickens Interview

Grand Champion Market Turkey Interview

Aug. 6, 2022

Judge: Brandon Callis, Oklahoma

Angus

Grand Champion – Madison Paden, Guernsey County
Reserve Champion – Alex Meyer, Mercer County

Charolais

Grand Champion – Frani Levan, Champaign County

Reserve Champion – Roger Winner, Darke County

Chianina

Grand Champion – Olivia Jones, Allen County
Reserve Champion – Carter McCauley, Guernsey County

Hereford

Grand Champion – Reid Bishop, Clark County

Reserve Champion – Logan Brinksneader, Darke County

Maine-Anjou

Grand Champion – Lane Underwood, Hardin County
Reserve Champion – Essie McGuire, Champaign County

Shorthorn

Grand Champion – Tavin Warner, Sandusky County
Reserve Champion – Joshua Blakeman, Jackson County

Shorthorn Plus

Grand Champion – Evelyn Koehler, Fairfield County
Reserve Champion – Mckayla Nelson, Meigs County

Simmental

Grand Champion – Carson Barton, Clinton County
Reserve Champion – Hailey Cornett, Highland COunty

All Other Breeds (AOB)

Grand Champion – Kaitlyn Mattis, Perry County
Reserve Champion – Logan Souder, Brown County

Market Heifer

Grand Champion – Luke Fulton, Miami County
Reserve Champion – Austin Sutherley, Clark County

CrossbredDivision I Champion – Grant Belleville, Wood County
Division I Reserve Champion – Easton McClure, Marion County
Division II Champion – Ryleigh Egbert, Auglaize County
Division II Reserve Champion – Delaney Jones, Allen County

Division III Champion – Hayden Smith, Holmes County 
Division III Reserve Champion –  Avery McGuire, Champaign County

Division IV Champion – Mason Kinney, Huron County
Division IV Reserve Champion – Austin Sutherly, Champaign County… Continue reading

Judges: Miles Toenyes and Jeremy Cantrell

Aug. 5, 2002

Berkshire
Grand Champion: Landon Elchinger, Henry County

Reserve Champion: Tanner Rose, Fairfield County

Chester White
Grand Champion: Colton Bartoe, Pickaway County
Reserve Champion: John Smoch, Shelby County

Duroc
Grand Champion: Megan Smith-McCarley, Pickaway County
Reserve Champion: Landon Rohr, Stark County

Hampshire

Grand Champion: Brodie Wheeler, Delaware County
Reserve Champion: Corbin Winkle, Highland County

Hereford
Grand Champion: Abby Ferryman, Shelby County
Reserve Champion: Emma Wheeler, Delaware County

Landrace
Grand Champion: Josey Schift, Butler County 
Reserve Champion: Corbin Winkle, Highland County 

Poland China
Grand Champion: Claire Winkle, Highland County
Reserve Champion: Evan Banester, Fulton County

Spot
Grand Champion: Kane Ellwood, Tuscarawas County
Reserve Champion: John LaFountain, Putnam County

Tamworth
Grand Champion: Samantha Durst, Shelby County
Reserve Champion: Victoria Gossard, Allen County

Yorkshire
Grand Champion: Makenah Rohr, Stark County
Reserve Champion: Victoria Gossard, Allen County

Dark Cross
Grand Champion: Nick Adams, Mercer County
Reserve Champion: Mallory Petro, Gallia County

Light Cross
Grand Champion: Avery Andrews, Wayne County
Reserve Champion: Landon Elchinger, Henry County… Continue reading

Aug. 5, 2022

Judge: Brad Dale, Brooklyn, Iowa

Hampshire

Champ: Morgan Evans, Union County

Res. Champ: Paige Pence, Clark County 

Shropshire

Champ: Bria White, Ashland County

Res. Champ: Alissa White, Washington County

Southdown

Champion: Addison Wallen, Logan County

Res. Champion: Paige Bremke, Lorain County

Suffolk

Champion: Nathan Sattler, Defiance County 

Res. Champion: Adeline Kendle, Tuscarawas County

Dorset

Champion: Marshall Miller, Tuscarawas County

Res. Champion: Anara Shroyer, Logan County

Oxford

Champion:, Delaney Dudte, Wayne County

Res. Champion: Mylee Shatto, Shelby County

AOB

Champion: Paige Pence, Clark County

Res. Champion: Delaney Dudte, Wayne County

White-face cross

Champion: Sophie Young, Highland County

Res. Champion: Brynn Huntsman, Mercer County

Natural Colored

Champion: Elizabeth Shatto, Shelby County

Res. Champion: Caleb Stone, Miami County

Black-face cross

Champ: Reece Cook, Richland County 

Res. Champ: Ava Shroyer, Logan County

Four Ohioans who have committed their lives to working in, promoting and advocating for Ohio’s farm community were honored Friday, Aug. 5, by the Ohio Agricultural Council (OAC), when they are inducted into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame. 

The Ohio Agricultural Council (OAC) inducted Leon Boucher of Dublin, Steven C. Drake of Colorado Springs, CO, Lisa Hamler-Fugitt of Lancaster, and Duane Stateler of McComb, into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame. The 56^th annual event normally attracts more than 600 guests to honor the four professionals for their lifetime of service and dedication to Ohio’s agriculture community.

“We are pleased to recognize this impressive class of Hall of Fame inductees,” said Chris Henney, president of the Ohio Agricultural Council and president and CEO of the Ohio AgriBusiness Association. “Through their advocacy, mentorship and conservation efforts, the contributions to the agricultural industry of the 2022 class have been recognized across local, state, national and international levels.” … Continue reading

Judge: Steve Sturtz, St. Angelo, Texas

Lightweight Division

Class 1:

Winner: Braxton Method, Auglaize Co.; Second: Gabrielle McDade, Butler Co.

Class 2:

Winner: Isaac Beal, Miami Co.; Second: Hunter Cannon, Muskingum Co.

Class 3:

Winner: Braxton Method, Auglaize Co.; Second: Jayden Hinkle, Perry Co.

Class 4:

Winner: Hailey McDade, Butler Co.; Second: Rilee Lucas, Belmont Co.

Champion Lightweight: Braxton Method, Auglaize Co. (Class 1 winner)

Res. Champion Lightweight: Braxton Method, Auglaize Co. (Class 3 winner)

Third: Isaac Beal, Miami Co. (Class 2 winner)

Midddleweight Division

Class 5:

Winner: Chance Mezurek, Lorain Co.; Second: Taylen Thompson, Fairfield Co.

Class 6:

Winner: Gabrielle McDade, Butler Co.; Second: Emma Sutherly, Miami Co.

Class 7:

Winner: Grace McCurdy, Marion Co.; Second: Kylie Woodruff, Clinton Co.

Class 8:

Winner: Braxton Method, Auglaize Co.;… Continue reading

Aug. 4, 2022 (Champions will be selected at the Grand Drive on Saturday, Aug. 6)

Judge: Terry Britt, Chicago

Market Turkeys

Class 1 

1. Alivia Addis, Darke County
2. Allison Kinney, Logan County 

Class 2

1. Madison Estep, Madison County
2. Ava Hester, Clinton County

Class 3

1. Blake Addis, Darke County
2. Cale Readshaw, Henry County

Market Chickens

Class 1

1. Alexandra Kinney, Logan County
2. Ava Hester, Clinton County

Class 2

1. Delaney Johnson, Jefferson County
2. Wyatt Stacklin, Union County 

Class 3

1. Caleb Bennett, Fayette County
2. Remington Price, Hancock County

Class 4

1. Kyle Stacklin, Union County
2. Chase Deahl, Fairfield County

By Matt Reese

Despite the traffic delays, parking challenges and big crowds to navigate, it was wonderful to have a “full” Ohio State Fair again. And, once again, 4-H exhibitors rose to the occasion to represent the next generation of Ohioans well to the general public. This, of course, took place in the livestock barns and the show rings, but it also took place in project judging of the many non-livestock projects at the Ohio State Fair. We love to highlight livestock exhibitors, and in a tradition started by Kyle Sharp years ago, I wanted to dedicate a little space here to recognize the success of some Ohio’s top non-livestock 4-H exhibitors. Thanks to Randall Reeder for getting me these photos and captions and for his work with the youth. Congrats to all of those young people who enjoyed success at the 2022 Ohio State Fair! 

More photos from the 4-H Welding, Woodworking, and Engineering Excitement contests are on Facebook.com/Ohio4Hengineering… Continue reading

Photos by Bernadette Arehart

Brown Swiss

YRP Junior Champion: Carissa Pittman, Wayne County

YRP Res. Junior Champion: Daleyn Gehrig, Monroe County

YRP Senior Champion: Madelyn Topp, Auglaize County

YRP Senior Res. Champion: Kaylee Cherry, Wayne County

YRP Grand Champion: Madelyn Topp, Auglaize County

YRP Res. Grand Champion: Kaylee Cherry, Wayne County

Guernsey Junior Show

Junior Champion: Hannah Hurst, Warren County

Res. Junior Champion: Silas Kohler, Fairfield County

Senior Champion: Aubree Topp, Shelby County

Senior Res. Champion: Silas Kohler, Fairfield County

Grand Champion: Aubree Topp, Shelby County

Res. Grand Champion: Silas Kohler, Fairfield County

Fairgoers gathered at the 24^th annual Pork Rib-Off competition to watch as barbecue chefs competed for top honors in the ribs, pulled pork and barbecue sauce categories at the Ohio State Fair on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.  Ohio Eats of Lewis Center, Ohio was awarded Grand Champion Pork Ribs and Bark Brothers BBQ of Cheviot, Ohio was awarded Grand Champion Pulled Pork. Ohio Eats was one of six contestants from across the state to compete in the annual event.

Ohio Eats and their competitors were scored by a group of five judges, including: Virgil Strickler, Ohio Expo Center & State Fair General Manager; Ohio Senator Bob Peterson (R-17); Jerry Happy, Ohio Pork Promoter of the Year; Matt Reese, Ohio Ag Net; and JD Vance, U.S. Senate Candidate (R).

“This is like heaven,” a fairgoer said, sampling pork ribs for the People’s Choice Award. “This event alone is worth the entry into the fair.”… Continue reading

On this week’s podcast Matt sits down with Jeff Reese, Marketing Specialist at the Ohio Ag Net and Ohio Country Journal, Laura Wuebker, Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassador and Ohio Ag Net Intern, and Jake Zajkowski, Ohio Farm Bureau Intern. Matt, Jeff, Laura, and Jake talk all things Ohio State Fair from the Land and Living building sponsored by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation to the Rib Off and all things in-between. Dale sits down with Farm Credit Mid-America Staff at Eaton where they talk about their Growing Forward Program to help young farmers navigate the challenges they may face. Scott Higgins, CEO of the American Dairy Association Mideast also joins Dale to talk about the Butter Cow at the Ohio State Fair and the dairy industry. All this and more thanks to AgriGold!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

17:14 Farm Credit Mid-America Staff

28:03 Scott Higgins – ADAME

49:46 Closing… Continue reading