Ohio Cattlemen Association

Ohio Cattlemen Association
Formation1951 (1951) (as Ohio Cattle Feeders Association)
TypeNon‑profit trade association
Tax ID no. 31‑0443536
PurposeRepresenting the beef cattle industry in Ohio
HeadquartersMarysville, Ohio, U.S.
Location
  • 10600 U.S. Highway 36, Marysville, OH 43040
Region served
Ohio
MembersOver 2,200 families
Executive Director
Elizabeth Harsh
AffiliationsNational Cattlemen's Beef Association
Websiteohiocattle.org

The Ohio Cattlemen Association (OCA) is a non‑profit trade association representing the business interests of beef cattle farm families in the state of Ohio.[1][2] Established in 1951 as the Ohio Cattle Feeders Association, the organization serves as the primary advocacy group for all segments of the state's beef industry, including cattle breeders, cow‑calf producers, and cattle feeders.[3][4] The OCA is affiliated with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and engages in grassroots lobbying, policy development, and educational programming for its members.[5][6]

The association's membership consists of over 2,200 farm families from across Ohio and surrounding states, supported by more than 60 affiliated county cattlemen's associations.[7][8] The OCA's headquarters are located in Marysville, Ohio, and its operations are led by Executive Director Elizabeth Harsh, who has served in the role since 1992.[2][9] The organization's core activities include legislative advocacy at the state and federal levels, providing industry information and market updates, and implementing beef quality assurance and improvement initiatives.[5][1] The OCA also operates a Political Action Committee (PAC) to support agricultural‑friendly political candidates.[10][5]

One of the OCA's flagship events is the annual Ohio Beef Expo, held at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.[11][12] The expo attracts over 30,000 attendees and features a large trade show, seedstock and commercial cattle sales, and a competitive junior show for young exhibitors.[11][1] The event draws cattle buyers from more than 20 states and represents the full spectrum of the state's beef industry.[11][13] Another major program is the Beef Exhibitor Show Total (BEST) program, a youth development initiative established in 1999 that recognizes junior beef exhibitors through a series of sanctioned cattle shows and competitions across Ohio.[14][2] The OCA also hosts an annual Young Cattlemen's Conference, which focuses on industry knowledge enhancement, advocacy training, and career development for future industry leaders.[15][16]

In 2026, the OCA launched the Buckeye Cattlemen's Summit, a new format for its annual meeting and awards banquet, held in partnership with several breed associations including the Buckeye Hereford Association, Ohio Shorthorn Association, and Ohio Simmental Association.[8][17] The summit provides expanded educational opportunities for producers on topics such as reproduction advancements, beef quality and value, and includes youth contests like the Fed Cattle Carcass contest and Beef Cut Identification contest.[8][18] The Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation, a related entity, awards scholarships to students pursuing careers in the beef and agricultural industries, distributing over $20,000 annually through programs such as the Cattlemen's Gala, Tagged for Greatness, and the Noah Cox Memorial Scholarship.[19][20]

The OCA plays an active role in monitoring and responding to economic and policy issues affecting the beef industry, including international trade, tariffs, and market conditions.[1][5] The association provides guidance to its members on issues such as retaliatory tariffs on beef products and works with its national affiliate to address industry concerns.[1][4] The OCA also engages in policy discussions on federal regulations, including the Packers and Stockyards Act and country‑of‑origin labeling.[5][16] In October 2014, the OCA joined 44 other state cattlemen's associations in sending a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack opposing a proposed supplemental beef checkoff, with Executive Director Elizabeth Harsh stating that the existing program was "overwhelmingly successful" and that the proposal "smacks of Federal control."[21] At the OCA's annual meeting in January 2017, NCBA CEO Kendal Frazier addressed members on the potential impacts of the incoming Trump administration on trade and regulatory policy, noting that 13 percent of U.S. beef production is exported, equating to about $250 per head of feeder cattle.[22]

In 2018, the OCA and its relationship with the Ohio Beef Council came under scrutiny from the Ohio Farmers Union and the Organization for Competitive Markets, which raised questions about the use of Beef Checkoff funds and the organizations' shared office space and staff.[23][24] The Ohio Beef Council defended its independence, stating that a firewall separates the two entities and that its 15‑member operating committee is appointed by the Ohio Department of Agriculture director.[23][16]

In January 2020, the OCA identified water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin and competition from plant‑based protein alternatives as top priorities for the year.[6] Newly elected OCA president Aaron Arnett, a multi‑generation Delaware County farmer, stated that the beef industry is "very forward leaning" in its advocacy on water quality issues and that meatless meat products such as the Impossible Whopper present a challenge to beef demand.[6]

In 2021, OCA members voted to increase the Ohio Beef Checkoff, with 72% approval, and the association stated that it would not receive any direct financial benefit from the increase.[4][5]

At the association's 2022 annual meeting, Ethan Lane, vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, briefed members on President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan, product‑of‑USA labeling, labor shortages, price disparity, and Waters of the U.S. regulations.[12][5] The 2022 meeting also featured 24 scholarship awards from the Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation and the presentation of industry awards including the Environmental Stewardship Award to the Kisling family of Diven Springs Farm, the Young Cattleman of the Year to Zane Gross of Buckeye Creek Angus, and the Industry Service Award to Todd Pugh.[12]

Through its annual meetings and awards banquets, the association recognizes industry leaders across multiple categories. At the 2008 annual meeting, Bill Sexten of Fayette County received the Industry Excellence award, Burgett Angus Farm of Carroll County was named Seedstock Producer of the Year, Dennis Corcoran and Corcoran Farms of Piketon received the Commercial Producer of the Year award, and Chad McDowell of Adams County was honored as Young Cattleman of the Year.[25] At the 2026 Buckeye Cattlemen's Summit, the OCA presented its annual awards to seven recipients: the Licking County Cattlemen's Association received the Outstanding County Award; Keayla Harr of Ashland County was named Young Cattleman of the Year; Cutlip Family Farm of Knox County won the Environmental Stewardship Award; Paradise Corner Farm of Crawford County received the Commercial Cattleman of the Year; Turner Shorthorns of Perry County was named Seedstock Producer of the Year; Don Jones, executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Ohio, received the Industry Excellence Award; and Dean Cathann Kress of Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences received the Industry Service Award.[13][24]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ohio Cattlemen's Association monitoring possible impacts of tariffs on beef products". WSYX (ABC6). Columbus, Ohio. March 13, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "At helm of Ohio Cattlemen's, Elizabeth Harsh works to 'be fearless daily'". Farm and Dairy. Salem, Ohio. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  3. ↑ "OCA honored with 70th anniversary proclamation from Ohio House of Representatives". Ohio Cattlemen's Association. September 29, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "Ohio Cattlemen Vote to Increase the Ohio Beef Checkoff". Drovers. November 20, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Ohio Cattlemen's Association focuses on national, political challenges". Farm and Dairy. Salem, Ohio. January 14, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "Water quality, alternative protein are top priorities for OCA in 2020". Brownfield Ag News. January 14, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Ohio Cattlemen's Association – About Us". Ohio Cattlemen's Association. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 "OCA launches Buckeye Cattlemen's Summit format". Farm Progress. December 31, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Elizabeth Harsh named to OSU board of trustees". Farm Progress. August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Ohio Cattlemen's Association – PAC". Ohio Cattlemen's Association. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 "Ohio Beef Expo celebrates 37 years of tradition and competition at the fairgrounds". WSYX (ABC6). Columbus, Ohio. March 13, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 "Ohio cattlemen develop policy, dole out awards". Farm Progress. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  13. 1 2 "Ohio Cattlemen's Association announces 2026 award recipients". Ohio's Country Journal. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Ohio Cattlemen's Association – BEST". Ohio Cattlemen's Association. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Young Cattlemen attend industry conference in Columbus". Ohio's Country Journal. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 "Ohio Cattlemen's Association celebrates success at annual meeting". Ohio's Country Journal. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Ohio Cattlemen's Association enhances stockmanship competitions". Farm Progress. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Ohio Cattlemen's Association looks to sustainable future". Farm and Dairy. Salem, Ohio. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Beef scholarships awarded at Ohio Cattlemen's Association meeting". Farm and Dairy. Salem, Ohio. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Ohio Cattlemen's Association presents top awards, honors Dr. Bobby Moser". Farm and Dairy. Salem, Ohio. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Cattlemen's associations respond to potential beef checkoff changes". Ohio's Country Journal. Columbus, Ohio. October 22, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  22. ↑ "NCBA CEO tells Ohio cattlemen: Trump presidency will be 'an interesting ride'". Farm and Dairy. Salem, Ohio. January 26, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  23. 1 2 Hancock, Laura (February 16, 2018). "Family farmers question how they're taxed". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  24. 1 2 "Cutlip family farm wins Ohio Cattlemen's Association's Environmental Stewardship Award". Knox Pages. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Ohio cattlemen salute their own". Farm and Dairy. Salem, Ohio. January 31, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
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