The 2018-2019 Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) BEST (Beef Exhibitor Show Total) Program came to an end on May 4th with its annual awards banquet held at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. This season celebrated the 20th year of the BEST Program.
“This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of the BEST program,” says Stephanie Sindel, OCA Director of Youth Programs. “Throughout the years, the committee’s focus has been to keep a progressive, family engaged program while utilizing cattle as a tool to help educate and raise the next generation of leaders. The BEST program boasts numerous successful professionals that have walked through the ring at BEST shows.”
Several representatives from program sponsors were on hand to help present awards, totaling more than $60,000 in belt buckles, luggage, show materials and other awards. The BEST Sponsoring Partners for 2018-2019 were Ag-Pro – John Deere, Bob Evans Farms, M.H. EBY, Frazier Farms, Farm Credit Mid–America, Garwood Cattle Co. LLC, Kalmbach Feeds – Formula of Champions and Weaver Leather Livestock.
“The banquet is a time to celebrate the many achievements of our BEST participants, both in and out of the show ring,” says Sindel. “Each participant is recognized for their hard work by family, friends and BEST supporters alike.”
This year’s BEST program featured 15 sanctioned shows that wove their way across the state. Over 431 youth participants showed 618 head of market animals and heifers throughout the course of the 2018-2019 program.
BEST Commitee
The OCA BEST program functions with the strong backing of the BEST Committee. Serving on the BEST Committee are Chairman – Todd Pugh, Stark County; Vice-Chairman – Mark Hara, Franklin County; Drew Baus, Wood County; Brandon Corry, Greene County; Alice Frazier, Jackson County; Chase Gostomsky, Darke County; Kim Herman, Allen County; Roger Hunker, Huron County; Matt Kleski, Franklin County; Sally Puzacke, Tuscarawas County; Mindy Sanders, Highland County; and Bill Tom, Ohio State Fair Beef Director. During the BEST awards banquet, the new junior representatives for the 2019–2020 season were announced. They are Ellie Kidwell, Knox County and Owen Brinker, Wood County. Continuing for their second term is Brooke Egbert, Auglaize County, Madison King, Logan County and Haley Frazier, Jackson County. Sarah Harner, Greene County and Hannah Ziegler, Wyandot County have fulfilled their commitment as BEST Junior representatives.
Youth Scholarships
BEST participants’ efforts in academics and extracurricular activities are also recognized through the BEST Scholarship program. This year’s three $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Ellie Kidwell, Knox County; McKenzie Riley, Fayette County; and Kristina Scheurman, Coshocton County.
M.H. Eby Trailer Winner
Participants in this year’s program received an entry into the drawing for the free use of an 8’ x 24’ EBY Trailer, complete with BEST logo detailing for the 2019-2020 BEST season, donated by EBY Trailer. Participants were given an entry for every animal they showed at each show throughout the season, equaling more than 4,200 entries. The lucky winner was Karly Goetz of Ottawa County.
Community Service Fundraising Winners
BEST participants worked this season to raise money for two charities, the Make-A-Wish® Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House Charities. This year, a total of $14,175 was raised by BEST participants for Make-A-Wish. In its seven years of contribution, the BEST program has raised over $94,175 for the Make-A-Wish. Victoria Waits, Fayette County, received a $500 gift certificate to be used on show supplies with Weaver Leather Livestock for being the top fundraiser in the Make-A-Wish project. Waits raised a total of $2,250. Participants raising $50 or more were also entered to win a $500 gift certificate, and Hailey Cornett of Highland County, was selected as the drawing winner. Tait Dusseau, Ottawa County, received a $500 gift certificate for a shopping spree with Weaver Leather Livestock for collecting the most pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Dusseau collected 37 pounds of pop tabs. In total, BEST participants collected 50 pounds of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Character Traits Winners
The Ohio Cattlemen's Association (OCA) and Weaver Leather Livestock teamed up to recognize individuals that are exceptional leaders, no matter their age. Weaver Leather Livestock sponsored the 2019 BEST Character awards, highlighting passion, integrity, determination, motivation and influence. Any OCA member, BEST participant or their parents could nominate other cattlemen, breeders or exhibitors for any of the Character Traits. Hudson Drake, Ross County was recognized for his passion; Madison King, Logan County, was recognized for her extreme integrity; Olivia Wood, Meigs County was recognized for her outstanding determination; Victoria Waits, Fayette County was recognized for her motivation; and lastly, Kathy Lehman was recognized for her exceptional influence.
Gift Certificate Winners
Jacob Wiechart, Putnam County, won the drawing for a $500 gift certificate toward the purchase of his next show animal or show supplies from an OCA member, BEST sponsoring partner or OCA Allied Industry Council member. Winning a show pass, valued at more than $850, was Trevin Redd of Wyandot County. A gift card valued at $100 was won by Tyler Leggo-Bobo of Clark County.
Novice Chute Drawing
Novice participant, Hunter Krivesti of Athens County, won a new chute in a novice-only drawing, donated by Weaver Leather Livestock. Novice participants were given an entry for every animal they showed at each show throughout the season, totaling more than 1,465 names in the drawing.
15 Show Attendees
It takes a lot of time and dedication for juniors and their parents to attend any of the BEST shows, but several individuals attended all 15 BEST shows across the state. Forty BEST participants won a free single-show entry pass for the 2019-2020 season.
Photography Contest
This year’s photography contest had top-notch entries encompassing four divisions: BEST Shows and Activities, Landscapes, People and Around the Farm. Three winners were awarded in each age division and an Editor’s Choice and Editor’s Choice Honorable Mention were selected from all submissions. The winners were as follows:
Beginner Division
1st Place Beginner – Russell Fox, Seneca County
2nd Place Beginner – Carson Barton, Clinton County
3rd Place Beginner – Carson Barton, Clinton County
Junior Division
1st Place Junior – Josie Kidwell, Knox County
2nd Place Junior – Morgan Love, Fairfield County
3rd Place Junior – Sydney Sanders, Highland County
Intermediate Division
1st Place Intermediate – Brock Retcher, Defiance County
2nd Place Intermediate – Isaac Wiley, Morrow County
3rd Place Intermediate – Erin Pope, Gallia County
Senior Division
1st Place Senior – Madison King, Logan County
2nd Place Senior – Ian Gehret, Darke County
3rd Place Senior – Haley Frazier, Jackson County
Adult Division
1st Place Adult – Heather Wiley, Morrow County
2nd Place Adult – Susie Perry, Ottawa County
3rd Place Adult – Kelly Kinicki, Ashtabula County
Editor's Choice
Editor’s Choice – 1st Place Senior – Madison King, Logan County
Editor’s Choice Honorable Mention – 1st Place Intermediate – Brock Retcher, Defiance County
Heifer and Market Animal Champions
Angus
Champion Angus Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland County
Reserve Champion Angus Heifer – Harrison Blay, Portage County
Champion Angus Steer – Isaac Miley, Noble County
Reserve Champion Angus Steer – Carly Sanders, Highland County
Chianina
Champion Chianina Heifer – Beau Johnson, Gallia County
Reserve Champion Chianina Heifer – Fulton Kennedy, Adams County
Champion Chianina Steer – Mason Kinney, Huron County
Reserve Champion Chianina Steer – Zachery Retcher, Defiance County
Third Overall Chianina Steer – Carter McCauley, Guernsey County
Fourth Overall Chianina Steer – Tait Dusseau, Ottawa County
Fifth Overall Chianina Steer – Calvin Trigg, Fairfield County
Hereford
Champion Hereford Heifer – Maddox Cupp, Fairfield County
Reserve Champion Hereford Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland County
Champion Hereford Steer – Madison Frey, Wyandot County
Reserve Champion Hereford Steer – Levi Yelton, Champaign County
Maine-Anjou
Champion High % Maine-Anjou Heifer – Mason Love, Fairfield County
Reserve Champion High % Maine-Anjou Heifer – Owen Fennig, Mercer County
Champion MaineTainer Heifer – Emily Jones, Butler County
Reserve Champion MaineTainer Heifer – Delaney Chester, Warren County
Third Overall MaineTainer Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland County
Fourth Overall MaineTainer Heifer – Marcus VanVorhis, Wood County
(TIE) Fifth Overall MaineTainer Heifer – Reed Schumacher, Putnam County
(TIE) Fifth Overall MaineTainer Heifer – Mekenzie Jolliff, Hardin County
Champion Maine-Anjou Steer – Victoria Waits, Fayette County
(TIE) Reserve Champion Maine-Anjou Steer – Mallory Peter, Defiance County
(TIE) Reserve Champion Maine-Anjou Steer – Allison Lust, Crawford County
Third Overall Maine-Anjou Steer – Delaney Chester, Warren County
Fourth Overall Maine-Anjou Steer – Bailey Dusseau, Ottawa County
Fifth Overall Maine-Anjou Steer – Cheyenne Baker, Preble County
Shorthorn
Champion Shorthorn Heifer – McKala Grauel, Morrow County
(TIE) Reserve Champion Shorthorn Heifer – Skyler Ward, Preble County
(TIE) Reserve Champion Shorthorn Heifer – Emma McLaughlin, Monroe County
Third Overall Shorthorn Heifer – Alyssa Carter, Warren County
Fourth Overall Shorthorn Heifer – Amanda Annett, Knox County
Fifth Overall Shorthorn Heifer – Karly Goetz, Ottawa County
Champion Shorthorn Steer – Garrett Agle, Clark County
Reserve Champion Shorthorn Steer – Logan Schroeder, Defiance County
Champion ShorthornPlus Heifer – Haley Frazier, Jackson County
Reserve Champion ShorthornPlus Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland County
Champion ShorthornPlus Steer – Alex Linder, Huron County
Reserve Champion ShorthornPlus Steer – Hannah Lang, Wood County
Simmental
Champion Simmental Heifer – Hudson Drake, Ross County
Reserve Champion Simmental Heifer – McKala Grauel, Morrow County
Champion % Simmental Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland County
Reserve Grand Champion % Simmental Heifer – Kolten Greenhorn, Greene County
(TIE) Champion Simmental Steer – Karlie Palmer, Clark County
(TIE) Champion Simmental Steer – Macie Riley, Fayette County
Reserve Champion Simmental Steer – Montgomery Alexander, Wood County
AOB
Champion High % AOB Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland County
Reserve Champion High % AOB Heifer – Amanda Annett, Knox County
Champion Low % AOB Heifer – Colten Luyster, Belmont County
Reserve Champion Low % AOB Heifer – Jordan Johnson, Gallia County
Champion AOB Steer – Harrison Blay, Portage County
Reserve Champion AOB Steer – Maggie Mathews, Clinton County
Miniature
Champion Miniature Heifer – Isaac Wiley, Morrow County
Reserve Champion Miniature Heifer – Walker Wiley, Morrow County
Champion Miniature Steer – Jocelyn Belleville, Wood County
Reserve Champion Miniature Steer – Seamus Bly, Lake County
Market Heifer
Champion Market Heifer – Natalie Wagner, Brown County
Reserve Champion Market Heifer – Collin Fedderke, Henry County
Third Overall Market Heifer – Paige Gehret, Darke County
Fourth Overall Market Heifer – Riley Schumacher, Putnam County
Fifth Overall Market Heifer – Zachery Retcher, Defiance County
Crossbred
Champion Crossbred Heifer – Beau Johnson, Gallia County
Reserve Champion Crossbred Heifer – Michelle Shafer, Perry County
Third Overall Crossbred Heifer – Audrianna Albert, Richland County
Fourth Overall Crossbred Heifer – Luke Fulton, Miami County
Fifth Overall Crossbred Heifer – Karlie Kennedy, Adams County
Champion Crossbred Steer – Micayla McClure, Hamilton County
Reserve Champion Crossbred Steer – Grant Belleville, Wood County
Third Overall Crossbred Steer – Kayler Frey, Lorain County
Fourth Overall Crossbred Steer – Fox Morgan, Perry County
Fifth Overall Crossbred Steer – Caiden Daugherty, Morrow County
Sixth Overall Crossbred Steer – Colten Luyster, Belmont County
Seventh Overall Crossbred Steer – Ladson Mathews, Hardin County
Eighth Overall Crossbred Steer – Emma Mathews, Clinton County
Ninth Overall Crossbred Steer – Ross McNary, Madison County
Tenth Overall Crossbred Steer – Hayden Smith, Holmes County
Eleventh Overall Crossbred Steer – Calvin Trigg, Fairfield County
(TIE) Twelfth Overall Crossbred Steer – Karlie Palmer, Clark County
(TIE) Twelfth Overall Crossbred Steer – Annette Augustine, Ashland County
(TIE) Twelfth Overall Crossbred Steer – Owen Brinker, Wood County
Thirteenth Overall Crossbred Steer – Hayden Belleville, Wood County
Fourteenth Overall Crossbred Steer – Aubrey Csapo, Wayne County
Fifteenth Overall Crossbred Steer – Carly Csapo, Wayne County