Young Cattlemen's Conference & Tour

The Ohio Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) and Tour will be held August 26-28, 2010, in Columbus and the central Ohio areas.The Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation (OCF) and Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) coordinate the Ohio YCC Tour. Sponsors of the event include: DeKalb/Asgrow, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, Ohio Soybean Council and Pioneer.

The purpose of the Ohio YCC Tour is to offer emerging Ohio beef industry leaders and young producers the opportunity to build their own leadership skills as they network with beef industry leaders, government officials, businesses and media.

The three-day tour involves 25-30 young cattle producers from across the state. It is designed to broaden their perspective by taking them beyond their individual beef operations. The Ohio YCC Tour focuses on the latest information from the financial, processing and marketing segments of the beef industry as it exposes the participants to promotion, research and public relations issues.

Counties are encouraged to consider one or more candidate(s) for the conference. The cost is $100 per participant that can be paid by either the county cattlemen’s association or the individual. Couples are also encouraged to attend and the cost is $200 per couple. All meals and a two-night hotel stay will be covered by program sponsors. All nomination forms and payment must be submitted to the OCF no later than June 15, 2010.

Young Cattlemen's Conference Application for 2010 (127 KB)

Each year YCC includes a great line-up of speakers and tours that make YCC an educational experience for all participants.

Nationally recognized speakers and industry experts from past events include: 

• Trent Loos, a sixth generation U.S. farmer who has taken his passion for livestock to radio by creating a syndicated program called Loos Tales. Loos also has a regular column in Feedstuffs magazine and encourages people to become advocates for agriculture.
• Randy Blach, Executive Vice President for Cattle-Fax, industry marketing analysts who provides well-researched market outlook information.
• Steve Dittmer, Agribusiness Freedom Foundation Executive Vice President, has nearly 30 years experience in management, marketing and communications in the beef industry. Dittmer brings a factual, common-sense approach to contentious industry issues.
• Popular speakers from academia include Dr. Gary Smith, Colorado State University; and Dr. Brad Morgan, Oklahoma State University.
• National Cattlemen’s Beef Association speakers cover topics from Issues Management and Public Relations to Public Policy and Issues Updates.

• The mini-Beef 509 course, is a popular annual session coordinated by Dr. Henry Zerby at The Ohio State University Meat Science Lab.
• A visit to the Ohio State House that allows participants the opportunity to talk to Ohio Legislators about issues that affect the beef industry and to learn more about the legislative process.
• Wendy’s International headquarters is a favorite stop where participants can learn about the components of a successful national restaurant chain and their animal welfare program.