OCA Awards

Nominations due September 1 and are presented at the OCA Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet the following January

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) is seeking nominations for cattlemen across the Buckeye state excelling in their operations. There are seven distinguished awards available in the following categories: Environmental Stewardship, Commercial Producer, Young Cattleman, Seedstock Producer, Industry Service, Industry Excellence and Outstanding County.

Nominations are due by Sept. 1. Fellow industry leaders, county cattlemen’s associations, soil and water conservation districts and other local agricultural organizations are encouraged to nominate local cattlemen deserving of any of the above mentioned awards.

The seven distinguished awards will be presented at the OCA Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet set for January 9, 2021 at the Hilton Columbus/Polaris.

OCA Awards Nomination Form

Please view the description of each award area below:

OCA Beef Industry Excellence Award

The Excellence Award is presented to beef producers who have worked over a period of years for the betterment of Ohio’s beef industry. Recipients are those that have contributed as a volunteer/leader to the success of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and/or through their individual cattle operations have been trailblazers for the beef industry creating new paths for other beef producers to follow.

OCA Beef Industry Service Award

The Service Award is presented to those who have through their careers contributed to the betterment of Ohio’s beef industry. Recipients may or may not also be beef producers. The award is presented for efforts made outside, but complementary to beef production. Recipients of the award are selected based on actions they have taken through their career in academia, Extension, government, agri-business, etc. that have benefited the beef industry. 

OCA Young Cattleman of the Year Award

The Young Cattleman of the Year Award is presented to individuals or couples, typically under 40 years of age, who have demonstrated the initial stages of a successful beef operation and exhibited leadership potential. The recipient is also the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s automatic nominee (if available) to participate in the NCBA Young Cattlemen’s Conference.

OUTSTANDING COUNTY Award

The Outstanding County award is OCA's opportunity to recognize the outstanding achievement, industry education and consumer promotion efforts of counties from across the state. Activities, participation in OCA events, communication efforts, support of industry youth and a cohesive partnership are all areas of focus for award recognition. The Outstanding County will be featured in a video and the award will be presented during OCA’s annual awards banquet on January 12, 2019. Officers will accept their county’s award and as many as are available are encouraged to attend the celebratory evening.

OCA Seedstock Producer of the Year Award

The Seedstock Producer of the Year Award is presented to Ohio farms who have demonstrated breeding success through their registered cattle operations. These farms utilize performance information and the latest technologies available to increase the predictability of the cattle they raise as breeding stock for others, in addition to maintaining a continued focus on meeting and exceeding the expectations of beef consumers.

OCA Commercial PRODUCER of the Year Award

The Commercial Cattleman of the Year Award is presented to Ohio farms who have demonstrated success through their commercial cattle operations. These farms utilize performance information and the latest technologies available to increase the predictability of the cattle they raise, in addition to maintaining a continued focus on meeting and exceeding the expectations of beef consumers. The award is traditionally presented to cow-calf operations, but may also include feeders who feed the cattle they produce.

OCA Environmental Stewardship Award

The Environmental Stewardship Award is presented to Ohio farms who have demonstrated a strong commitment to being good stewards of their land, water and air resources, as well as their livestock and operate their farms in a sustainable manner. Recipients implement beef practices to control water run-off, reduce damage in high-traffic feeding/watering areas, exercise good pasture management, preserve woodlands, and provide for wildlife. They often partner with government entities, such as Soil & Water Conservation Districts and the USDA NRCS to implement conservation measures.

2024 Award Winners

commercial producer

Goecke Farms, Spencerville

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Environmental Stewardship

LB Porteus Farms, Coshoction

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industry excellence

Dr. Steve DeBruin, DVM, Millersport

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industry service

Virgil Strickler, Columbus

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Outstanding County

Dark County Cattlemen's Association

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Seedstock producer 

Kingsway Angus, Tiffin

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young cattleman

Drs. Stan & Dana Soehnlen

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Industry Excellence

2023        R.C. Packing Company 

 2022       John Grimes 

 2021       Gene Rowe 

 2020       Roger Thompson, DVM  

 2019       Bob Agle 

 2018       E.R Boliantz Co. 

 2017       Tom & Susie Turner 

 2016       Henry Bergfield 

 2015       Sam & Laura Sutherly 

 2014       Mike & Beth Carper 

 2013       Kris & Becky Vincent 

 2012       Bill & Beverly Roe 

 2011       Janet Butler 

 2010       Frank Phelps 

 2009       Roy Wallace 

 2008       Bill Sexten 

 2007       John King 

 2006       Joe Foster 

 2005       Steve R. Rauch 

 2004       Ed, Fred & Ray Vollborn 

 2003       Glen Feichtner 

 2002       Mel Earich 

 2001       Curt Balthaser 

 2000       Elwain Dreyer, Sr. 

 1999       Merrill Evans 

 1998       John Kline 

 1997       Jim & Marlene Campbell 

 1996       Jim & Jackie Murray 

 1995       Earl McKarns 

 1994       Bob Evans 

1993       Dave & Donna Tullis 

 1992       Wayne Carlin 

 1991       Henry & Roberta Whitehead 

 1990       Kent Jeffers 

 1989       Pete Everhart 

 1988       Bill Cleland Sr. 

 1987       Gene & Marilyn Byers 

 1986       John & Jeanne Nee 

 1985       Bob & Betty White 

 1984       Bill Butler 

 1983       - 

 1982       Don Benecke 

 1981       Lloyd Householder 

 1980       Jean Thiergartner 

 1979       Gordon Flax 

 1978       Fred Johnson 

 1977       Dwaine Demmitt 

 1976       Mary Kay Woodard 

 1975       Harold Etling 

 1974       Marvin Berschet 

 1973       Demorest Brothers 

 1972       Joe Beam 

 1971       Wally Nelson 

 1970       Maderia Brown

Industry Service

2023        United Producers, Inc. 

2022       Todd Pugh 

2021       Denny Ruff

2020       Rick Heffelfinger

2019       Tom Price

2018       Rep. Brian Hill

2017       Stan Smith

2016       Jim, Jackie, & Jarrett Murray

2015       Jim Buchy

2014       John Albert

2013       Dr. Tony Forshey

2012       Dr. Bobby Moser

2011       Dr. Henry Zerby

2010       Dave Puthoff

2009       Representative Steve Reinhard

2008       Senator Larry Mumper

2008       Representative Tony Core

2007       The Kroger Company     

2006       Sam Roberts

2005       Elizabeth Harsh

2004       Dr. Steve Boyles

2003       Dr. Francis Fluharty

2002       Dr. David Glauer

2001       Dr. Glen Hoffsis

2000       Representative Joe Haines

1999       Dr. Tom Turner

1998       Senator Doug White

1997       Senator Ben Gaeth

1996       Dennis Bolling

1995       Charles "Chuck" Lugbill

1994       Joe Cornely

1993       Fred Dailey

1992       Merlin Woodruff

1991       Dr. Bobby VanStavern

1990       Lorin Sanford

1989       Dr. James Warner

1988       Dr. George Wilson

1987       Leon Lugbill

1986       John Bricker

1985       Dr. Earl Klosterman

1984       Ed Johnston

1983       Charlie Boyles

1982       Don Lowry

1981       Dr. Randy Reed

Young Cattleman

2023        Ian Brinker 

 2022       Zane Gross 

 2021       Lindsey & Adam Hall 

 2020       Luke Vollborn 

 2019       Brad Thornburg 

 2018       Kyle Nickles 

 2017       J.L. Draganic 

 2016       Randy Hollowell 

 2015       Scott Payne 

 2014       Al Gahler 

 2013       Allan Robison 

 2012       Scott & Sasha Rittenhouse 

 2011       Patrick Saunders 

 2010       Mike & Pam Haley 

 2009       David Felumlee 

 2008       Chad McDowell  

2007       Steve White 

 2006       Jake Wolfinger 

 2005       Jamie Graham 

 2004       Andy Lohr 

 2003       Tim Sheeley 

 2002       Bob & Katie Shugert 

 2001       Jim Jepsen 

 2000       Jim Sutherly 

 1999       John Grimes 

 1998       Randy Day 

1997       Andy Rittberger 

 1996       Dave Eversole 

 1995       Joe Foster 

 1994       Bob Agle 

 1993       Doug Nickles 

 1992       Ron Parks 

 1991       Joe Zupan 

 1990       Mike Babcock 

 1989       Lynn Holley 

 1988       Randy Nelson

1987       John Potter 

 1986       Pam Beam 

 1985       Gary Short 

 1984       Dennis Crock

Seedstock Producer

2023        Cedar Lane Farms 

 2022       Jones Show Cattle 

 2021       Raines Farms 

 2020       Haley Farms 

 2019       Paint Valley Farms

 2018       J&L Cattle Services 

 2017       Claylick Run Angus Genetics 

 2016       Charlie, Jordan & Scott Diehl  

 2015       Karr Red Angus Farms 

 2014       Chippewa Valley Angus Farm 

 2013       Tim & Peggy 

 2012       Turkey Run Angus 

 2011       NS Polled Herefords 

 2010       Way View Farms LLC 

 2009       Maplecrest Angus 

 2008       Burgett Angus Farm

 2007       O'Connor-Phelps Farm 

 2006       Champion Hill, Inc. 

 2005       Morrison Stock Farm 

 2004       Byland Shorthorn Farms 

 2003       Shamrock Vale Farms - Earl McKarns Family

Commercial Producer

2023       Fannin Ag 

2022       Seibert Livestock 

 2021       Shugert Farms

 2020       Fred Voge 

 2019       Robison Farms

 2018       Gerber Farms 

 2017       Vollborn Family 

 2016       Jamey & Jody Rauch & Family  

 2015       Dagger Family 

 2014       Watts Farms LTD              

 2013       Christian Hoffman 

 2012       Sutherly Brothers LLC    

 2011       John McKarns 

 2010       Adams Farms     

 2009       Noll Family Farms           

 2008       Corcoran Farms 

 2007       Rick & Jayne Young 

 2006       McDorman Farms            

 2005       Bob Pontius 

 2004       Porteus Farms   

 2003       Shriver Farms  

Environmental Stewardship

2022       Diven Springs Farm 

 2021       Turner Shorthorns 

 2020       ST Genetics 

 2019       Stickel Farms  

 2018       Gibbs Farms

 2017       Hord Family Farms 

 2016       Pete Conkle 

 2015       Whitehead Angus Farm 

 2014       -

 2013       Paint Creek Cattle            

 2012       Berry Farms        

 2011       Royer Grain & Livestock LLC         

 2010       Raines Farms      

 2009       Young Cattle Company  

 2008       Sims Farms        

 2007       Stoll Select Farms            

 2006       David Noll Family              

 2005       Jake, Robert & Andy Wolfinger 

 2004       Don Lohr 

 2003       Earl & RuthAnn LeMaster 

 2002       Wayne & June Williams 

 2001       Paul Ryan 

 2000       Noll Family Farms            

 1999       Sweeting Farms 

 1998       O'Conner Farms                

 1997       Tom Price 

 1996       Thomas & Mollie McConnell 

 1995       John & Kathy Siegel

outstanding county

2023      Muskingum County Cattlemen's Association 2022      Fayette County Cattlemen's Association 2021       Fairfield County Cattle Feeders Association 2020       Shelby County Cattlemen's Association 2019       Clark County Cattlemen's Association