MARYSVILLE, Ohio — More than 250 beef producers gathered at the Makoy Center in Hilliard Jan. 23 for the annual meeting and awards banquet of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association.
The annual event featured policy development sessions, the association’s annual meeting and awards.
Industry Excellence
Frank Phelps, of Logan County, received the association’s Industry Excellence Award for his dedication and leadership to the beef industry.
Since 1965, Phelps’ family has owned a registered Limousin herd in Logan County. Frank, and his father, Don, and their family jointly own 250 head of Limousin cattle with the O’Connor family. They are annual participants in the Ohio State Fair’s Commercial Cattle Show.
They farm 1,200 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and hay, with 120 acres of pasture.
As recognition for its conservation efforts, the O’Connor-Phelps Farm previously received the Logan County Farm Family of the Year for Environmental Stewardship and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Environmental Stewardship Award.
Industry leadership
In addition to his cattle operation, Phelps has been involved in the industry as a member of the Logan County Cattlemen’s Association. He serves on OCA’s magazine committee, served on the Logan Soil and Water Conservation District board, has assisted with the Indian Lake Watershed Project, is a past chairman of the Ohio Beef Council Operating Committee and also represents Ohio on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.
ABOVE: Mike and Pam Haley, of West Salem, received the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s 2010 Young Cattlemen of the Year award Jan. 23. They run 34 registered Simmental cows on their Wayne County grain farm. Also pictured are Lindsay Hill and Andy Vance, representing award sponsor ABN.
(Scroll to the bottom to see photos of other award winners.)
Beef queen
An early highlight of the banquet included the crowning of 2010 Ohio Beef Queen Jacquelyn Keller of Licking County.
Rounding out Keller’s court will be first runner-up Bexlie Beam, Clinton County, and second runner-up Hannah Oyster, Stark County.
Young cattlemen
Mike and Pam Haley, of West Salem, were named the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s 2010 Young Cattlemen of the Year.
They have operated Haley Farms together since 2004, and run 34 registered Simmental cows in addition to their soybean, corn, wheat and hay operation.
The Haleys have their cows on an intensive breeding plan utilizing artificial insemination and embryo transfer, and are able to have calves in both the spring and fall which enhances their marketing potential.
In order to provide the highest quality breeding cattle for their customers, their selection criteria includes: disposition, phenotype, EPDs, and genetic background to target the commercial and purebred breeders.
Not only do the Haley’s specialize in Simmental cattle and grain, but they also provide a trucking service and sell hay and mums. Part of their grain operation feeds their cattle and their timothy hay goes mainly to horse farms in the area.
Mike and Pam both graduated from The Ohio State University in 2002 with bachelor’s degrees in agricultural business. Mike is the current vice president of the Wayne County Farm Bureau board and is on the large animal committee for the Wayne County Humane Society. Pam serves as the secretary/treasurer of the Ohio Simmental Association, the state trustee for northeastern Ohio on the Ohio Farm Bureau Board and is a county 4-H adviser.
Commercial cattleman
Adams Farms of Leesburg received the Commercial Producer of the Year award, sponsored by Farm and Dairy.
Craig and Kim Adams and their family run 150 Angus-based cows on their farm in Highland County. They sells feeder calves to local youth for various projects and showing opportunities, and they are a cooperator herd for Maplecrest Angus, also of Highland County.
Adams puts embryos in his cows that are Maplecrest genetics and raises the calves to weaning for them.
Craig has taken on many leadership roles while also managing Adams Farms. He has served on the Highland Soil and Water Conservation District board, currently serves on the board for United Producers Inc. and is on the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation board of trustees.
Seedstock producer
Way-View Cattle of Hebron was nominated by the Licking County Cattlemen’s Association to receive the 2010 Ohio Cattlemen’s Seedstock Producer of the Year award.
Owned and operated by Fred and Cindy Penick, Way-View Cattle has been raising quality Angus cattle in a family-oriented environment for generations.
In addition to their cow herd, their operation includes 120 replacement heifers and a bull development center that can hold up to 100 bulls at one time. The bulls are sold to both seedstock and commercial breeders.
Way-View also consigns cattle to various sales throughout the year, including the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s Seedstock Improvement Sales.
Fred is involved with the Licking County Cattlemen’s Association and has been selling steers to many local 4-H exhibitors. He is a past president of the Ohio Angus Association and still serves on the Ohio Angus Association board.
Industry service
Dave Puthoff received the association’s Beef Industry Service Award.
Puthoff’s career in the beef industry began many years ago when he started as a livestock sales specialist in western Ohio for Mercer Landmark. Over the years, the well-respected cattle feed specialist was promoted numerous times and was given more territory and responsibilities as mergers occurred.
In 2008, he received the Circle of Achievement Award from Land O’Lakes Purina Feed for his skills in leadership, sales, teamwork, persistence and problem solving. Puthoff helped Land O’Lakes become the charter sponsors of the OCA Top Hand membership recruiting contest.
He has volunteered and served in several association leadership roles, including currently serving as the OCA Allied Industry Council chairman and a member of the Ohio Beef Expo Trade show committee.
Association report
The association’s membership committee reported that 2009 was a record-setting membership year.
The Beef Improvement Committee gave an update on the Seedstock Improvement Sales and the Ohio Beef Expo, and representatives from the Carroll County Cattlemen’s Association gave attendees a preview of this year’s Summer Roundup that will be held Aug. 20-21 in Carroll County.
Bill Donald, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association vice president from Montana, gave an update on national activities. He outlined the association’s top five policy areas: death tax, climate change, food safety, antibiotics and government intrusion in markets.
During state policy development, delegates discussed such resolutions as EQIP, predator control, animal health and climate change.
Scholarships
Thirteen scholarships were presented to youth during the awards banquet.
Steve R. Rauch Benchmark of Excellence scholarship recipients included: Christina Enger, Richland County; Catherine Shaw, Fairfield County; and Krystin Bachman, Fairfield County.
Heather Bradford, Auglaize County; Augustus Bonham, Fayette County; Evan Earich, Pickaway County; Lindsey Grimes, Highland County, each received $1,000 Tagged for Greatness Scholarships, which are funded with the sales of the Ohio Beef license plate.
Seth Miller, Williams County; Lacey Uhler, Wayne County; and Emily Warnimont, Hancock County; received a $1,000 Country Club Scholarship, which was funded by the miniature golf course at the 2009 Ohio State Fair.
The Ohio CattleWomen’s Association awarded scholarships to Kathy Buehler, Shelby County; Mallory Earich, Pickaway County; and Joshua Werling, Mercer County.
County groups. OCA also recognized various county associations. Highland County was announced as the outstanding county affiliate for 2009 and received a $500 award. The Highland County group then donated their $500 cash prize to support the efforts of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation.
Stark County was announced as the outstanding beef promotion and special events affiliate and received a $200 award. Licking County was also recognized as the outstanding membership growth and communications affiliate and received a $200 award.
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