The 2018 Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) hosted 20 cattlemen and women for a 3-day leadership development program in Columbus and the central Ohio areas, Aug. 9-11. The conference was made possible by Farm Credit Mid-America, Ohio Soybean Council, Ohio Corn Marketing and the Rick Malir & Bonnie Coley-Malir Beef Leadership Fund.
YCC kicked off Thursday evening at the Madison County Fairgrounds in London with a beef dinner and participants were present for the 2018 Ohio State Fair Commercial Cattle Show carcass contest awards presentation. Guest speaker, Dr. Sara Place, Senior Director of Sustainable Beef Production Research, National Cattlemen’s Association (NCBA), gave attendees a presentation on sustainable beef production.
Conference attendees also participated in a spokesperson training program by Ryan Goodman, Director of Grassroots Advocacy and Spokesperson Development, NCBA. Goodman led participants through a media training session that strengthened their communication skills, encouraged attendees to tell their beef production story and helped them become more effective cattle industry leaders.
Ohio Beef Council staff led a discussion regarding its role in checkoff collection and beef promotional efforts in Ohio. Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) staff also discussed the value of membership and the role OCA has in legislative and regulatory issues.
Participants had the opportunity to have lunch at Cameron Mitchell’s restaurant, The Pearl, to learn about current checkoff-funded beef promotions. Following lunch, participants traveled to the Ohio Statehouse where they met with Representative Brian Hill (District 97). Representative Hill, who chairs the House Agricultural and Rural Development Committee, spoke about current Ohio legislation affecting the beef cattle industry and answered questions from the group.
That evening participants were hosted at the home of Rick Malir and Bonnie Coley-Malir. There they were able to network with one another and learn more about the couple’s passion for the beef industry and professional development.
The final day included a session with Dr. Lyda Garcia, Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences, for a Mini-Beef 509 class. Dr. Garcia provided hands-on learning on how meat is graded, fabrication of wholesale and retail cuts and other issues that can affect beef quality and pricing. Participants also viewed champion carcasses from the 2018 Ohio State Fair.
YCC participants wrapped up their morning with a state of the beef industry update with John Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator.
The purpose of the YCC 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. Young beef producers interested in attending the 2019 YCC should contact the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation at 614-873-6736 or email [email protected].