Livestock

U.S. red meat exports closed the first half of the year on a strong note, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Although volume and value eased from the enormous totals posted in April and May, export value was still the highest on record for the month of June and first-half shipments established a record pace for both beef and pork exports.

“USMEF had expected a continued strong performance in June for both beef and pork exports, despite significant headwinds,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF President and CEO. “2021 has presented many formidable challenges for the U.S. industry, including a very tight labor situation, logistical obstacles that slowed product movement and foodservice restrictions in many key markets. So the fact that first-half exports reached record levels speaks to the loyalty of our international customer base, strong consumer demand for high-quality, nutritious U.S. red meat and the U.S.… Continue reading

By Victor Shelton, NRCS State Agronomist/Grazing Specialist

I hear people mention the “lazy days of summer,” but I’ll have to admit that has never really seemed valid for me. I’m glad that the days are long, because quite often, I need every minute of daylight and then some. Precarious weather seems to be timed quite well to disrupt plans and tasks. This is only doubled in difficulty when you are also holding down an off-farm job, which always seems to take you away when the weather is perfect. You have to just shut your mind off, focus on the task at hand and not dwell on the farm work that must be completed. I know that I am not the only one this happens to.

I had something sent to me recently and I thought it made some good points. When time is sparse, as it seems it often is, then we need to be as efficient as possible and that includes pasture management.… Continue reading

By Kenny Burdine, Livestock Marketing Specialist, University of Kentucky

I decided to shift gears a bit this week and dive into a topic that often comes up when I visit with producers in extension settings. I am often asked whether I think it pays for a cow-calf operator to castrate bulls and sell steers. Castration is not without cost as it requires time and facilities and does stress calves for a period of time. Like so many management decisions, there are an infinite number of ways to examine this topic and there is more to consider than economics alone. But, it is a good question and one for which a livestock economist should be able to provide some perspective.

When examining historical prices, it is difficult to argue that there is not a price advantage to selling steers. Sure, there will be times when a group of bulls will outsell a group of steers, but I view those times as the exceptions, rather than the norm.… Continue reading

Champion: Carson Shafer, Eaton (Crossbred Division III Champion)
Reserve Champion: Delaney Jones, Harrod (Champion Chianina)
Third: Frani Levan, Woodstock (Reserve Champion Chianina)
Fourth: Caden Jones, Harrod (Crossbred Division III Reserve Champion)
Fifth: Essie McGuire, Urbana (Crossbred Division II Champion)

Champion: Aiden Knecht, Fayette Co. (Champion Dark Cross)
Reserve Champion: Cade Peterson, Ottawa Co. (Reserve Champion Dark Cross)
Third: Reagan Gross (Champion Yorkshire)
Fourth: Maya McCoy, Fayette Co. (Champion Light Cross)
Fifth: Madelyn Fearon, Darke Co. (Reserve Champion Light Cross)

… Continue reading

Champion: Bailee Amstutz, Union Co. (Champion Grade)
Reserve Champion: Kaitlyn Zeedyk, Defiance Co. (Reserve Champion Grade)
Third: Elizabeth Shatto, Shelby Co. (Champion Natural Color)
Fourth: Addilyn Bryant, Ashland Co. (Reserve Champion Natural Color)
Fifth: Nevah Powers, Fulton Co. (Champion Hampshire)

Champion: Paige Pence, Clark Co.
Res. Champion: Jada Shroyer, Logan Co.
Third: Briley Ashcraft, Athens Co.
Fourth: Coby Frey, Wyandot Co.
Fifth: Anara Shroyer, Logan Co.
Sixth: Adrionna Phillips, Highland Co.

… Continue reading

August 7, 2021

Judges: Amanda Schnoor, Chowchilla, Calif.

Photos by Linde’s Livestock Photos

Angus

Grand Champion – Ellie Kidwell, Walhonding
Reserve Champion – Griffin Gahler, Gragtown

Chianina

Grand Champion – Delaney Jones, Harrod
Reserve Champion – Frani Levan, Woodstock

Hereford

Grand Champion – Jacob Wiechart, Fort Jennings
Reserve Champion – Mason Love, Baltimore

Maine-Anjou

Grand Champion – Harrison Blay, Mogadore
Reserve Champion – Fox Morgan, Mount Perry

Shorthorn

Grand Champion – Wyatt Osborn, Lynchburg
Reserve Champion – Alyssa Carter, Oregonia

Shorthorn Plus

Grand Champion – Tyler Neill, Bellevue
Reserve Champion – Hayden Smith, Millersburg

Simmental

Grand Champion – Mackenzie Koverman, Minford
Reserve Champion – Karli Gaddis, Centerburg

All Other Breeds (AOB)

Grand Champion – Hunter Shumaker, Wilmington
Reserve Champion – Paige Pence, New Carisle

Market Heifer

Grand Champion – Jayla Ricer, Piketon
Reserve Champion – Luke Fulton, Troy

Crossbred

Division I Champion – Dawson Osborn, Lynchburg
Division I Reserve Champion – Kya Csapo, Creston
Division II Champion – Essie McGuire, Urbana
Division II Reserve Champion – Riley Wendt, Dublin
Division III Champion –  Carson Shafer, Eaton
Division III Reserve Champion –  Caden Jones, Harrod
Division IV Champion – Avery McGuire, Urbana
Division IV Reserve Champion – Holden Levan, Woodstock

Photos by Linde’s Livestock Photos

Photos by Linde’s Livestock Photos, LLC

Photos by Linde’s Livestock Photos, LLC

Aug. 6, 2021

Judges: Ryan Sykes, Kewanee, Ill. and Andy Rash, Granite, Okla.

Berkshire

Grand Champion: Oksana Gossard

Reserve Champion: Reagan Gross

Chester White

Grand Champion: Luke Johnson

Reserve Champion: John Smock

Duroc

Grand Champion: Seth Fearon

Reserve Champion: Megan Smith-McCarley

Hereford

Grand Champion: Wyatt King

Reserve Champion: Lindsey Dore

Hampshire

Grand Champion: Mallory Liles

Reserve Champion: Caydence Scale

Landrace

Grand Champion: Maggie Skillman

Reserve Champion: Colton Bartoe

Poland China

Grand Champion: Megan Smith-McCarley

Reserve Champion: Oksana Gossard

Spotted

Grand Champion: Lillian Gearhardt

Reserve Champion: Emily Hemphill

Tamworth

Grand Champion: Victoria Gossard

Reserve Champion: Jessica McHenry

Yorkshire

Grand Champion: Reagan Gross

Reserve Champion: Maya McCoy

Light Cross 

Champion: Maya McCoy, Fayette County

Res. Champion: Madelyn Fearon, Darke County 

Dark Cross

Champion: Aiden Knecht, Fayette County

Res. Champion: Cade Peterson, Ottawa County

Aug. 6, 2021

Judge: Barrett Carlisle

Photos by Linde’s Livestock Photos.

Lightweight Division

Champion Lightweight: Anara Shroyer, Logan Co. (Class 4 winner)

Reserve Champion Lightweight: Adrionna Phillips, Highland Co. (Class 2 winner)

Middleweight Division

Champion Middleweight Division: Paige Pence, Clark Co. (Class 8 winner)

Reserve Champion Middleweight Division: Coby Frey, Wyandot Co. (Class 9 winner)

Heavyweight Division

Champion Heavyweight Division: Jada Shroyer, Logan Co. (Class 15 winner)

Reserve Champion Heavyweight Division: Res. Champion: Briley Ashcraft, Athens Co. (Class 14 winner)

Aug. 6, 2021

Judge: Craig Beckmier, Illinois

Hampshire

Champ: Nevah Powers, Fulton County

Res. Champ: Chloe Gump, Miami County 

Shropshire

Champ: Adam Bensman, Miami County

Res. Champ: Ethan Davies, Wood County

Southdown

Champion: Anara Shroyer, Logan County

Res. Champion: Mya Carrick, Seneca County

Suffolk

Champion: Adeline Kendle, Tuscarawas County 

Res. Champion: Cara Schwartz, Allen County

Dorset

Champion: Anara Shroyer, Logan County

Res. Champion: Hainsley Hatfield, Muskingum County

Oxford

Champion: Paige Gehret, Darke County

Res. Champion: Elizabeth Shatto, Shelby County

AOB

Champion: Harper Horning, Crawford County

Res. Champion: Mason Reynolds, Knox County

White face cross

Champion: Brynn Shearer, Wayne County

Res. Champion: Brynn Huntsman, Gallia County

Natural Colored

Champion: Elizabeth Shatto, Shelby County

Res. Champion: Addilyn Bryant, Ashland County

Grade

Champ: Bailee Amstutz, Union (Champion black-face cross)

Res. Champ: Kaitlyn Zeedyk, Defiance County

By Matt Reese

The Ohio State Fair was very different this year. One radical 2021 departure from years past was the creation of two Grand Drive events, showcasing all the grand drives for each species in the same event. 

Taking a cue from other national caliber livestock shows, the events are designed to showcase the youth with a bit more pomp and circumstance while drawing a larger crowd and some extra bells and whistles. The State Fair featured a Grand Drive for the junior breeding livestock exhibitors on July 31 and a second Grand Drive for junior market exhibitors is coming up this weekend on Aug. 7. The events took a huge amount of planning and extensive coordinated effort from the barn staffs of the different species.   

It was a tremendous amount of work, but in the end the Breeding Grand Drive event accomplished its lofty goals. There was plenty of positive feedback from Ohio State Fair barn staff and exhibitors alike.… Continue reading

The Ohio Sheep Improvement Association announced several scholarships winners at the 2021 Ohio State Fair. OSIA Lead Scholarships were awarded to Emma Peters, Ian Johnson, and Linsey Eddy. The Dr. Jack Judy Memorial Scholarship went to Brandon Zuercher. Not pictured are: High family Scholarship winner Chelsea Graham and Ralph H. Grimshaw Memorial Scholarship winner Jimmy Stickley. … Continue reading

Junior Market Chickens

Top 5 exhibitors: Cassidy Kennedy, Stark County; Zane Ortman, Perry County; Carmen Corcoran, Ross County; Marshall Jackson, Logan County;  Abecka Ruggles, Huron County

Class 1

1. Abecka Ruggles, Huron County
2. Aiden Hester, Clinton County

Class 2

1. Zane Ortman, Perry County
2. Marshall Jackson, Logan County

Class 3:

1. Natalie Fitzgerald, Cuyahoga County
2. Ava Hester, Clinton County
3. Delaney Johnson, Jefferson County

Annaka Ruggles, 9, from Huron County had a great showing her first time exhibiting chickens at the Ohio State Fair.

Junior Market Turkeys

Top 3: Jozie Jones, Clinton County; Johnathan Woodward, Coshocton; Alex Kinney, Logan County

Fourth overall: Ty Woodward, Coshocton County 

Fifth overall: Allison Kinney, Logan County

Class 1

1. Jozie Jones, Clinton
2. Johnathan Woodward, Coshocton 
3. Zane Ortman, Perry

Class 2

1. Allison Kinney, Logan County
2. Isabel Henderson, Logan County

Class 3

1. Alex Kinney, Logan County
2. Ty Woodward, Coshocton County 
3. Paige Pence, Clark County

By Matt Reese

In 2019, the long-standing Ohio Lamb and Wool Queen program transitioned to the Ohio Lamb and Wool Ambassador Program. The position now includes a scholarship and helps a young person develop their leadership skills as a spokesperson for the state’s sheep industry. 

The first ever Ohio Wool Queen, Elaine Leightey, was crowned in 1955 at the Ohio State Fair by Jane Lausche, the wife of the Governor. She then was off on a whirlwind of events, duties and appearances. She sold pelts in the Wool Room at the Ohio State Fair, did media interviews and appeared in daily parades. Though she did not hand out awards like her more modern counterparts, the fame of Leightey’s new role did allow her to rub elbows with celebrities including Neil Armstrong, two Ohio governors and even Phil Donahue.… Continue reading

In late July, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation’s joint complaint that California’s Proposition 12 is a violation of the U.S. Commerce Clause. 

Set to begin on Jan. 1, 2022, Proposition 12 imposes animal housing standards that reach outside of California’s borders to farms across the United States and beyond. NPPC is disappointed in the court’s decision, and maintains its position on Proposition 12: it is a clear violation of the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause. 

NPPC is evaluating the decision and next steps. The state was required to finalize implementation regulations by September 2019, and only issued the proposed regulations in May. In recent comments to the state’s proposed regulations, NPPC urged the state to delay the Proposition 12 implementation by at least two years from the date when the regulations are finalized.… Continue reading

Brown Swiss

YRP Junior Champion: Lauren Lamoreaux, Stark County

YRP Res. Junior Champion: Maria Saltzman, Seneca County

YRP Senior Champion: Madicyn Rupp, Wayne County

YRP Senior Res. Champion: Madelyn Topp, Auglaize County

YRP Grand Champion: Madicyn Rupp, Wayne County

YRP Res. Grand Champion: Madelyn Topp, Auglaize County 

Red and White Junior Show

Intermediate Grand Champion: Lilly Elsass, Auglaize County

Intermediate Res. Grand Champion: Allison Francis, Darke County

Senior Champion: Madelyn Topp, Auglaize County

Res. Senior Champion: Wyatt Schlauch, Holmes County

Grand Champion Red and White: Lilly Elsass, Auglaize County

Res. Grand Champion Red and White: Madelyn Topp, Auglaize County

Champion: Lilly Elsass, Auglaize County

Res. Champion: Lilly Elsass, Auglaize County

Milking Shorthorn Junior Show

Junior Grand Champion: Madison Hessler, Adams County

Junior Grand Res. Champion: Mackenzie Topp, Auglaize County

Senior Champion: Aubree Topp, Shelby County

Senior Res. Champion: Katie Weiss, Darke County

Grand Champion: Aubree Topp, Shelby County

Res. Grand Champion: Katie Weiss, Darke County 

Guernsey Junior Show

Senior Champion: Aubree Topp, Shelby County

Senior Res.… Continue reading