2009-2010 BEST Program Rules

2. BEST Nomination Fee
To receive BEST points, OCA BEST participants must pay a $30.00 per head nomination fee.  This is a one-time nomination fee for the show season. OCA BEST exhibitors must nominate their animals for the OCA BEST program prior to the start of the first show from which they wish to receive points. Nominations can be made at any BEST show. When show entries close, all BEST nominations for that particular show close as well. A nomination form must be completed for each animal nominated and may be submitted during registration at the animal’s first sanctioned show. No mail nominations will be accepted. For forms contact OCA, www.ohiocattle.org or the show official.

3. OCA Membership
To receive BEST points, an OCA BEST exhibitor must also be a resident of Ohio and the OCA BEST exhibitor and/or their family must also be current members of OCA. The OCA membership must be in the name of the BEST participant’s immediate family.  Immediate family is defined as a membership in the parents’ name or the membership has the same address of record as the BEST participant.  For new OCA BEST participants, the OCA membership must be paid at the time the BEST nomination is made.  For renewing OCA members, all BEST participants will be required to have a current year OCA membership paid in full by January 8, 2010 to remain in the program and to continue earning BEST points, and to be listed in the final points standings and eligible for awards. BEST nominations may be made anytime after January 8, however, the OCA membership will be due at the time the nomination is made.  OCA memberships are family memberships and operate on the calendar year.  Base dues for OCA are $60.00. If more than one junior within a family participates in the BEST program, only one OCA membership is required.  BEST participants must be in good financial standing with each BEST sanctioned show and OCA to be eligible to receive BEST awards and to be listed in the BEST final points.  

4. Show Your Own Animal for BEST Points
To receive BEST points, animals must be shown by their owner. An exception is made if the BEST participant owns two or more animals that are in the same class, or has two different animals that are both showing simultaneously in adjacent rings. In these two scenarios another junior may exhibit the second animal and the participant would still receive BEST points for both animals.  When the class conflict is over and for championship drives, the actual BEST participant must return to showing their own animal to retain the points earned.  It is the BEST participant’s responsibility to inform the OCA staff person or BEST Committee member in charge of the class conflict as it happens, not after the show. 

BEST participants that are physically unable to show their animal may ask another junior who meets the age requirements for the BEST program to show their animal, but the unable BEST participant must be present at the show to earn OCA BEST points.  If the BEST participate becomes ill after the cattle have arrived at a show and been checked-in, another junior who meets the age requirements for the BEST program, may show their animal(s).  The BEST participant must seek prior approval from the BEST Committee and the BEST participant must be present at the show facility.  Should a BEST participant become ill and stay home prior to the cattle leaving for a show, then no BEST points will be awarded to the participant’s cattle.  Family emergencies are at the BEST Committee’s discretion, but the participant must seek prior approval for BEST points to count.  The BEST Committee reserves the right to use discretion in administering this rule regarding situations not already covered.  All decisions by the BEST Committee on points associated with showing your own animal shall be final.     

5. Sanctioned Show Requirements
A sanctioned show must be open to all OCA BEST exhibitors but is not limited to them. A sanctioned show may be open to the world, but only OCA BEST members will accumulate points. Show schedules regarding double rings, heifers, steers and showmanship will be up to the discretion of each BEST show. 

6. Cattle Age Requirements
Steers & Market Heifers born on or after January 1, of 2009. Heifers born on or after September 1, 2008.

7. Breed Class Qualifications
Exhibitors must have original registration papers at time of check in. No copies will be accepted. Original registration certificates must be in the name of the junior exhibitor who is exhibiting the animal. For BEST points, no family farm names will be permitted. BEST participants, who have not received their registration papers in time for the first BEST shows, may still nominate their animals as papers pending. Papers pending BEST participants will be allowed to compete for BEST points in showmanship, but their animal will show as a crossbred until the original registration papers arrive.  The sanctioned show reserves the right to evaluate all breed steers and heifers for breed standards.     

Cattle without registration papers and legible tattoos that correspond to registration papers will be considered crossbred.  Tattoos will only be checked one time at a show.  If the animal has illegible tattoos they will be placed in the crossbred division. The animal will not be permitted to leave the chute and come back.  Cattle may only show one time within a show.  Dual registered cattle may show only in one breed at one show.

Breed heifers must be shown by age and crossbred heifers by shoulder height or weight. Steers and Market Heifers must be shown according to breed and shoulder height or weight.

The following breed classes will be offered (unless a breed specific show) based on breed minimum percentages as listed: (Note you must show at the highest common denominator, i.e. if you have a Shorthorn Plus steer paper, but the percentage is ¾ or better, you must show as a Shorthorn, not a Shorthorn Plus.)

Breed                                Heifers        Steers
Angus                              purebred                                   purebred               
Chianina                     ACA Minimum                          ACA Minimum
(sire or dam of animal is registered with the American Chianina Association)
Hereford                         purebred                                     purebred
Maine-Anjou Steers                                             1/4 (Green or Brown Papers)
High % Maine Heifer  3/4 (Brown Papers)
MaineTainer Heifer   1/4 (Green Papers)
Shorthorn                   purebred (15/16)                   3/4
Shorthorn Plus                      1/4                                             1/4
Simmental Steers                                                                   1/2
Purebred Simmental Heifers    7/8 and up
Percentage Simmental Heifers 1/2  to  3/4
All Other Breeds (animals with registration papers, but not listed above - i.e Charolais, Limousin, Red Angus and Branvieh)  Animals with registration papers, that do not have a breed division listed above may show as AOB, providing they meet their breed’s minimum percentage for their national junior shows.  If the animal qualifies for a breed division, it must show in that division.          

It will be up to the BEST Committee’s discretion to determine which breeds remain on the list of breed classes for the 2010-2011 season.  The Committee will consider past breed participation numbers when determining if a breed will remain on the list of breed classes.  There will be a one-year probation for breeds that want to be added to the list for future years.  These exhibitors will show for class money only during the probation year.  At the conclusion of the year the BEST Committee will make a determination if the breed will be added.  Among the BEST Committee’s considerations will be the number of animals exhibited and the number of exhibitors of the breed. Breeders interested in being granted the one-year probation must contact the OCA office by May 1 of the proceeding year, i.e. May 1, 2010 for the 2010-11 show season.

BEST participants can only receive points on animals in one division, breed or crossbreed.  An animal cannot be shown as a crossbred one week and a breed animal the next week and maintain two sets of points.  Their points will be counted for the division listed on their nomination form.        

Show schedules will be up to the discretion of each BEST show.  However, the show order within the heifer show and the market animal show will be alphabetical starting with Angus and moving through all the breeds, followed by All Other Breeds (AOB) and ending with Crossbreds.  Market Heifers will be shown before crossbred steers.  All special county shows will take place at the end of the heifers or the end of the steers, as appropriate.

In addition, for the 2009-2010 show season it will be mandatory that classes be provided for breed heifers, no matter the number of heifers of that breed entered in the show, according to the following age breaks: September-December 2008, January-February 2009, March-April 2009, and May, 2009 and younger. This is the minimum number of classes to be provided. At larger shows additional classes may be added. Show order for heifers will be from youngest to oldest.

Purebred steers and heifers will be recorded by breed registration number and tattoo. Crossbred steers, crossbred heifers and market heifers will be recorded by an ear tag issued by the OCA BEST program upon receipt of the animal’s nomination.

8. Ownership, Possession and Care
All animals nominated for the OCA BEST program must be in the ownership, possession and care at the time of nomination by the BEST exhibitor making the nomination and must remain in the ownership, possession and care of the BEST exhibitor throughout the remainder of the BEST show season.

9. No Farm Tags or Identifying Marks
No identifying tags or marks on animals or exhibitors will be permitted at a BEST sanctioned show. This means no farm tags, special show harnesses or marked show shirts are allowed.  Only BEST tags, county fair tags, EID tags and brands will be permitted. This rule applies to all animals and exhibitors entered in a BEST sanctioned show, including animals and exhibitors not in the BEST program.  If an animal enters the ring with an unacceptable tag or identifying mark it will be disqualified from the show and will earn no points if they are a BEST animal.

10. Showmanship Requirements
A showmanship competition will be offered at every BEST show.  Each BEST show must place the top ten in each age division for OCA BEST points. Showmanship class premiums are at the discretion of the sanctioned show. Age divisions will be: Novice Division open only to those 8-13 years of age as of January 1 who are nominating a BEST animal for the first or second time, Beginner Division 10 and under, Junior Division 11-13, Intermediate Division 14-16 and Senior Division 17 and not older than 21. Novice participants 13 years of age and under can choose to participant in either the special Novice showmanship division for ages 8 to 13 as of January 1 or the regular Beginner or Junior showmanship divisions.   Novice participants older than 13 years of age will show in the regular Intermediate or Senior showmanship divisions as appropriate for their age. A novice participant cannot show in more than one showmanship division. The participant’s age on January 1, 2010 is used to determine age division. Anyone who has reached 22 years of age before 1/1/10 is ineligible to compete. The OCA BEST Committee reserves the right to request at any BEST show that showmanship participants must provide proof of age, which may include a driver’s license or other records, such as county 4-H records. Participants must show their own animal and that animal must be entered in the show. The animal that a BEST exhibitor is accumulating showmanship points on must be nominated for the BEST program. BEST participants may switch between animals they own for showmanship throughout the BEST season and still accumulate one points total.  (Every BEST show will provide a showmanship competition and the showmanship show order will be youngest to oldest, with the novice division first, (beginners, followed by juniors, intermediate and seniors last.) 

11. Beef Quality Assurance
Each OCA BEST exhibitor must complete a beef quality assurance educational program by no later than April 15 to be eligible to receive BEST awards and to be listed in the BEST final points.  There will be two ways to complete this requirement.  A BQA quiz will be available on the ohiocattle.org website throughout the show season.  The quiz can be completed at any time before April 15 and sent to the OCA office.  Each BEST participant must answer a minimum of 70 percent of the questions correctly to fulfill the BQA requirement.  The second method to complete the BQA requirement is to attend one of two planned BQA sessions that will be held at the Scarlet & Gray BEST Show and the Ohio the Beef Expo.  If the participant’s score from the online quiz is below 70 percent, they will be notified and have the opportunity to retake the online quiz, if prior to April 15, or they can attend one of the two BEST BQA sessions. BEST participants are required to attend the entire BQA session from beginning to end to receive documentation of attendance. County Extension BQA programs are not substitutable. The BEST BQA program meets the Ohio State Fair quality assurance requirements.  It may also meet the requirements of some counties.  Check with your county Extension agent to see if this program will be accepted.  BEST participants may still be required to attend their own county QA program to participate in their county fair.

12. OCA BEST Committee
The OCA BEST program is planned and governed by the OCA BEST Committee, however all decisions are subject to approval by the OCA board of directors. The OCA President will appoint the committee chairman. There will also be several members solicited by OCA to serve on the governing committee. The chairman and those members solicited by OCA will constitute the BEST Executive Committee. The additional committee members will include three junior BEST participants. Junior BEST participants that are interested in serving on the committee will be required to complete a nomination application. The junior committee representatives will be determined through an interview process prior to the 2010 BEST awards banquet.  Junior committee applicants must be 14 years of age as of January 1, 2010 or older to apply. The final three committee members will be representatives of sanctioned shows determined at a meeting of the representatives of sanctioned shows. Representatives of all sanctioned shows will meet at least once a year to review the previous year’s program and make suggested changes for the coming year. No shows can be sanctioned for the following OCA BEST show season until after this meeting.

13. State of Ohio’s Livestock Tampering Exhibition Rules
The exhibitor, their family members and others acting on the behalf of the exhibitor will follow Chapter 901 Livestock Show Reform Law under the Ohio Revised Code and all rules under Ohio’s Livestock Tampering Exhibition Rules as set forth in Sections 901-19-1 through 901-19-21 and Section 901-19-33 of the Ohio Administrative Code.

A. Pumping of Cattle is Prohibited
Ohio’s Livestock Tampering Exhibition Rules 901-19-13 unacceptable practices mandatory rule prohibits using a stomach tube or pump for any purpose other than relieving gas. If a stomach pump is used for medical purposes to relieve tympany or gas on the day of show, then the animal will not be permitted to show for that day.

B. Grooming Requirements
901-19-33 Prohibited Grooming Practices:
The following grooming practices are prohibited:
a.) Using any substance to enhance or change the color of the livestock, including the livestock’s hide or hooves;
b.) Adding any substance externally to build up, change or alter the shape or conformation of the livestock, including by way of example, but not limited to rope, false hair, graphite, hemp, and powders;
c.) Pigmented grooming aides or materials. 

In addition, colored or pigmented substances, i.e. paint, excluding clear substances, are prohibited from use on steers and heifers at all OCA BEST sanctioned shows. Painting of the hooves is prohibited. The sponsor of the exhibition will enforce rule 901-19-33 of the Prohibited Grooming Practices. Any exhibitor at an OCA BEST sanctioned show that does not follow the rule will be disqualified and all premiums and awards will be forfeited. If the disqualified exhibitor has shown their animals, all animals placing below them will move up accordingly. OCA BEST members that do not follow rule 901-19-33 will be disqualified as described above from that show only and their points for that particular show will not count in the OCA BEST program.

C.Penalties for Violation
Discipline may be imposed by the OCA Best Committee or the Ohio Department of Agriculture may take disciplinary action in accordance with R.C. 901.74.

OCA BEST Penalties
Any exhibitor their family members and others acting on the behalf of the exhibitor that violate mandatory Ohio Livestock Tampering Exhibition Rules 901-19-01 through 901-19-21 of the Ohio Administrative Code (which includes 901-19-13 pumping of cattle ) will cause the exhibitor and their immediate family members (siblings with the same address) as defined in Rule #3 to be immediately dismissed from the BEST program and to lose all BEST points for showmanship and animals and to be barred from participating in an OCA BEST sanctioned show for a period of three years from the date of the violation.

14. Complaint or Protest Procedure
Any BEST exhibitor or their family member that seeks to file a complaint or protest regarding a perceived infraction of a BEST rule or sanctioned show rule must submit a fee of $150 to the OCA BEST Committee.  The BEST Committee will not release the name of the individual filing the protest. The fee shall be refunded only if the protest is sustained by the BEST Committee.  The BEST Committee shall hold a meeting regarding the protest at which time the party making the protest may present evidence or argument in support of the protest. Should other parties be found in violation of the BEST Rules, the BEST Committee will take appropriate action regarding the situation. Committee action is not limited to the following, but may result in the exhibitor found in violation to lose points for a show, lose multiple show points, and/or be barred from current or future participation in the BEST program. The decision of the BEST Committee regarding the protest shall be final.  The BEST Committee also reserves the right to review any potential rules violation without a $150 complaint filing.  Points challenges are not subject to the $150 fee, however, there will be a 5 day limit to challenge BEST points, once the office makes a posting or changes a points posting. 

15. Exhibitor Code of Conduct
All BEST exhibitors, their family members and others acting on the behalf of the exhibitor must display good sportsmanship and act in a courteous manner at all BEST sanctioned shows. Unsportsmanlike conduct will be referred to the OCA BEST Committee for appropriate action, if the committee deems necessary. Unsportsmanlike conduct may include but is not limited to physical actions, threats, or outbursts of profanity.  Committee action is not limited to the following, but may result in the exhibitor found in violation to lose points for a show, lose multiple show points, and/or be barred from current or future participation in the BEST program. The decision of the BEST Committee regarding the unsportsmanlike conduct shall be final.      

16. Points System for OCA BEST
Point totals will be kept for each individual animal.

There will be a 5 day limit to challenge BEST points, once the office makes a posting or changes a points posting. 

Winners will be determined for both steers and heifers in each of the following categories: Angus, Chianina, Hereford, Maine-Anjou Steer, High Percentage Maine-Anjou Heifer, Maine-Anjou MaineTainer Heifer, Shorthorn and Shorthorn Plus, Simmental Steers, Purebred Simmental Heifers, Percentage Simmental Heifers, All Other Breeds, Market Heifer, and Crossbred.

If an OCA BEST nominated animal is sold during the show season, the points are not transferable. Animals may be re-nominated under the new owner.

All OCA BEST shows will follow the same point system. Points will be based on the number of animals you beat in your class, with the exception of the champion and reserve champion animals. (For example, if there are 10 animals in your class the points for first place will be 10 points, second 9, third 8, fourth 7, fifth 6 and so on.) When an animal is named Grand Champion within their breed they will be awarded points equivalent to the largest class within their breed, plus an additional 10 points. If the animal is named Reserve Champion within their breed they will be awarded points equivalent to the largest class within their breed, plus an additional 5 points. Champion and Reserve Champion will not receive points for their individual class placings.  (For example if there are two Angus heifer classes, class 1 has 8 head and class 2 has 10 head. The class 1 winner is then named Grand Champion Angus Heifer, the points calculation would be as follows: 10+10= 20. If the Reserve Champion Angus Heifer was the class 1 second place the calculation would be as follows: 10+5= 15.) All top five crossbred steers will receive points, following the points received by the champion and the reserve, third place crossbred steer will receive 1 point less than the reserve champion, fourth place will receive 1 point less than third place and fifth place will receive 1 point less than fourth place.  The following point system will be used for showmanship at OCA BEST Shows under 400 head: First 30, second 27, third 24, fourth 21, fifth 18, sixth 15, seventh 12, eighth 9, ninth 6 and tenth 3.  For OCA BEST Shows with more than 400 head the following points system will be used for showmanship: First 40, second 36, third 32, fourth 28, fifth 24, sixth 20, seventh 16, eighth 12, ninth 8 and tenth 4.

Maximum Point Accumulation Cap
For 2009-10 the maximum number of shows that will count towards the year-end point totals will be 10 shows. As an exhibitor you may attend more than 10 shows, however only your top 10 sets of points will count.  

Two Show Minimum to Receive Awards & be in the Final Points Standings
To be eligible to receive awards, including the trailer drawing, and be listed in the final points standings, you must attend a minimum of two BEST shows during the 2009-10 show season. This includes bred-and-owned awards.  Exhibitors attending less than two shows will still be considered participants and be eligible to receive a participant gift.

17. Novice Division
A Novice Division for inexperienced youth of BEST eligible age who are nominating a BEST animal for the first or second year will operate off a separate points total, similar to the bred-and-owned awards.  Novice participants will be listed in the overall points total, in addition to the novice points.  There will also be a special novice showmanship division for those 8 -13 years of age as of January 1.  Novice participants 13 years of age and under can choose to participant in either the special Novice showmanship division for ages 8 to 13 as of January 1 or the regular Beginner or Junior showmanship divisions.   Novice participants older than 13 years of age will show in the regular Intermediate or Senior showmanship divisions as appropriate for their age.  Awards will be presented to the top 10 heifers and top 10 market animals and the top 10 showmen in the final novice points standings.  These awards will be presented at the BEST awards banquet. The BEST Committee reserves the right to expand the awards during the 2009-10 season for the novice division subject to the number of novice nominations.  If a BEST Novice participant wins (places in the top 10 Novice Market Animals, Novice Heifers or Novice Showmanship) in their first year in the Novice division, they must move into the regular BEST points competition.  If they do not win the first year, they can continue to participate in the Novice division for a second year.  You may only participate in the Novice Division for a maximum of two years.         

18. Top Five Market Animals & Heifers
Each BEST show will also pick the top 5 market animals (includes market heifers) and heifers.  It is up to the individual show to determine how and if they receive additional awards. (Those animals eligible to compete for the top 5 heifers will include only breed champions and reserves and the crossbred champion and reserve.  Those animals eligible to compete for the top 5 market animals will include breed champions and reserves, the top 5 crossbred steers, selected from only first and second place animals and the champion and reserve market heifer.)  Only champions will initially enter the ring for the overall champion competition.

19. Bred-and-Owned Animals
At the end of the 2009-10 BEST show season awards will be presented to the top 5 bred-and owned heifers and top 5 bred-and-owned steers in the final points standings. Crossbreds and market heifers are not eligible. These awards will be presented at the BEST awards banquet. To be recognized the BEST junior exhibitor must be listed as the breeder on the animal’s registration paper.

20. BEST Web Site
During the 2009-10 OCA BEST show season current point standings will be posted on the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association web site www.ohiocattle.org under the OCA BEST link. This link will also include information and rules on the OCA BEST program and will provide information on each of the BEST sanctioned shows.  Also included with be a results section for each BEST sanctioned show. 

21. BEST Scholarship, Essay & Photography Contests
During the 2009-10 show season the BEST program will offer a scholarship program based on academics and extracurricular activities for high school juniors and seniors or older pursuing a post-high school degree.  Scholarships will be awarded to participants pursuing an Ag related degree and may be awarded to applicants who are entering a non-Ag related field of study (based on the number of applications).  New for 2009-10 all scholarship applicants will also be required to submit an essay utilizing the BEST Senior topic along with their scholarship application. These awards will be presented at the 2010 BEST awards banquet.  Additionally, the BEST program will sponsor an essay competition and accompanying awards program for BEST participants that complete essays based on a predetermined topic or area.  The BEST program will also sponsor a photography contest with four categories. There will be four divisions of awards for the essay competition and photography contest based on the showmanship age divisions.  Entry deadline for scholarships, essays and photography entries will be May 1, 2010 (postmarked).

22. Participation Status
Juniors who do not exhibit cattle in the BEST program can compete in the scholarship, essay and photography contests for a fee of $30 per person, providing they attend the OCA Leading the BEST Conference.  All other juniors must nominate cattle and exhibit in BEST shows to compete in the contests.

23. Alcohol Prohibition
No alcohol will be permitted in the make-up area or show ring of BEST shows.  The BEST Committee will strongly encourage sanctioned shows to hire local authorities to enforce legal drinking ages and open container laws.