The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) has announced the conclusion of the 2024-2025 Beef Exhibitor Show Total (BEST) program, with award recipients hailing from Knox and Licking counties.
According to the OCA, the 2024–2025 BEST season concluded on May 3 with an awards banquet that honored over 350 youth for their achievements in showing, industry knowledge, and more. Over 700 participants exhibited 1,000 cattle across nine weekends of shows. Sponsors included Ag-Pro, Bob Evans Farms, and Weaver Livestock. In Knox County, Karson Butcher achieved several accolades: he placed fourth and tied for fifth Overall Shorthorn Heifer, ninth Novice Heifer, sixth Beginner Showman, and was Reserve Champion in Novice Steer. Additionally, he won Champion Bred & Owned Heifer and Reserve Champion Heifer and Steer in the Buckeye Breeders Series. Laura Cultip was named Champion in Senior Stockmanship.
Licking County youth also received numerous awards. Annabelle Berry placed third in Beginner Photography and tied for Reserve in Beginner Showmanship and Stockmanship. Ava Calderone-Berry secured first place in Intermediate Photography, was named Champion Angus Heifer, placed third Overall Shorthorn Heifer, and fourth in Intermediate Showmanship. Wyatt Binckley and Brooklyn Berry both earned Reserve Champion titles, while Gus Montgomery placed third and fifth Overall with crossbred heifers. Marissa Graham was eighth Overall, and Cheyenne Hutchison placed tenth in Novice Showmanship. Avery Heimerl won Champion % Simmental Heifer in both the main series and Buckeye Breeders Series.
The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s BEST program is a youth initiative launched in 1999 to recognize junior beef exhibitors through a series of sanctioned cattle shows. Participants earn points for placings in categories such as showmanship and the Buckeye Breeders Series. The program offers awards, scholarships, and recognition culminating in a year-end banquet held in Columbus where over $60,000 in cash and prizes are distributed based on accumulated points throughout the season.
Founded as the Ohio Cattle Feeders Association in 1951, the OCA is a non-profit membership organization representing cattle breeders, producers, and feeders across Ohio. The association focuses on promoting profitability and growth within the beef industry through policy advocacy, grassroots lobbying efforts, and educational programs. It is affiliated with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and serves over 2,200 member families across 60 county associations.
