Ohio Cattlemen's Association

What Ohio Cattlemen's Association does

The Ohio Cattlemen's Association (OCA) is a non-profit membership organization founded in 1951 (originally as the Ohio Cattle Feeders Association) and headquartered in Marysville, Ohio. With a staff of approximately five employees led by Executive Director Elizabeth Harsh, OCA represents over 2,200 member families and nearly 60 county cattlemen's associations across Ohio, serving all segments of the state's beef cattle business including cow-calf producers, seedstock breeders, feeders, stockers, and dairy producers engaged in beef cross programs. The organization operates as the Ohio state affiliate of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), with Ohio divided into 12 districts each represented by a director on the Board of Directors.

OCA's product and program portfolio centers on four pillars: membership services (Producer, Associate, Family at $100/year, and Allied Industry Council memberships at $800-$980/year), industry publications (Ohio Cattleman magazine published six times per year with 3,500 circulation and an annual calendar with 8,000 distribution), youth development (BEST sanctioned show program, Ohio Beef Youth Council, nine named scholarships totaling $1,000-$2,500 each, and the Buckeye Breeders Series), and advocacy (OCA PAC, Cattlemen at the Capitol lobbying events, and regulatory engagement). Signature events include the Ohio Beef Expo (drawing over 30,000 participants from 25 states and Canada, with 140+ exhibitors, ranking among central Ohio's top five largest conventions), the Cattlemen's Gala fundraiser, Buckeye Cattlemen's Summit, Young Cattlemen's Conference, and the Beef 509/510 educational program.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of membership dues (subscription recurring), magazine and digital advertising, event registrations and trade show booth rentals, sponsorship fees, licensing royalties from the $15 EAT BEEF specialty license plates (funding the Tagged for Greatness scholarship program), and Cattlemen's Gala ticket sales ($100/person, $75 for students). The affiliated Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established in 1995, channels charitable contributions into research, education, and scholarships. Marketing and member engagement reach audiences through the magazine, website, bi-weekly email newsletter to 2,300+ members, 15,000+ Facebook followers, the annual calendar, and the Ohio Beef Expo, with sponsorship partners including Purina Animal Nutrition, Quality Liquid Feeds, Nationwide Insurance, Ohio Farm Bureau, and Select Sires Member Cooperative.

Name

Ohio Cattlemen's Association

Legal name

Ohio Cattlemen's Association

Website

https://ohiocattle.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Ohio Cattlemen's Association is a 75-year-old non-profit membership organization serving over 2,200 beef cattle producer families and nearly 60 county associations in Ohio through advocacy, youth development, industry publications, and signature events like the Ohio Beef Expo.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Beef Cattle Industry Trade Association

NAICS

Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming (112111), Cattle Ranching and Farming (1121)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Beef Production (Cow-Calf to Finish) (AFAEABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)

Keywords

• Beef cattle advocacy
• Agricultural membership association
• Livestock industry representation
• Youth agricultural education
• Cattle industry events

Headquarters

HQ city

Marysville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from producer members (cattle owners), associate members (non-cattle supporters), and Allied Industry Council corporate members. Each producer membership receives one vote on OCA policy and related business.
2. Magazine Advertising: The Ohio Cattleman magazine is published six times per year with a circulation of 3,500. Advertising rates are available for producers, local accounts, and national accounts. The magazine includes six issues: Winter, Expo, Spring, Summer, Early Fall, and Late Fall.
3. Events and Programs: Revenue generated from event registrations, trade show booth rentals at Ohio Beef Expo, sponsorship opportunities, and program fees for events like Beef 509 and Young Cattlemen's Conference.
4. Beef License Plate Sales: The Tagged for Greatness scholarship program is funded through sales of Ohio's beef specialty license plates, with nearly $50,000 awarded to deserving youth to date.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Ohio Cattlemen's Association is a non-profit trade association that serves as the unified voice for Ohio's beef cattle industry through membership services, policy advocacy, youth development, industry education, and major events. Core offerings include tiered membership (producer, associate, family, Allied Industry Council), the Ohio Cattleman magazine, the Ohio Beef Expo (top-5 central Ohio convention), youth programs (BEST, OBYC, scholarships), producer education (Beef 509/510, Roundup Meetings), and political advocacy via the OCA PAC.

Product overview

Ohio Cattlemen's Association is a non-profit membership organization representing Ohio's beef cattle business. The organization operates a multi-product portfolio centered around membership services, youth development programs, industry education, and advocacy. Core offerings include the Ohio Cattleman Magazine (6x/year publication), BEST youth cattle show program, Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation scholarships, Buckeye Cattlemen's Summit annual meeting, Beef 509/510 educational programs, Cattlemen's Gala fundraiser, Young Cattlemen's Conference leadership program, Allied Industry Council membership tier, EAT BEEF license plates, Replacement Female Sale, Top Hand recruitment club, OCA PAC political advocacy, Ohio Beef Youth Council, Roundup Meetings, and Ohio State Fair operations. The organization also offers advertising opportunities across its magazine, calendar, Expo program, and digital channels. These programs collectively support Ohio's beef industry through representation, education, youth development, and industry events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ohio Cattleman Magazine Ohio's only beef-focused publication issued six times per year (Winter, Expo, Spring, Summer, Early Fall, Late Fall) with a circulation of 3,500, mailed to members and distributed at events.
• BEST (Beef Exhibitor Show Total) Program Youth program recognizing Ohio's junior beef exhibitors through a series of sanctioned cattle shows including showmanship competitions, with points tabulated for cattle, showmanship, registered Bred & Owned animals, and Buckeye Breeders Series. Over $60,000 in cash and prizes are awarded at the BEST Awards Banquet annually.
• Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation Scholarships College scholarships available to beef industry youth including Tagged for Greatness ($1,000), Cattlemen's Country Club ($1,000), Saltwell Expo ($1,000), Noah Cox Memorial ($1,000), Cattlemen's Gala ($1,000), Bill Tom Memorial ($1,500), John Grimes Memorial ($1,500), Livestock Judging Team ($2,500), and Large Animal Vet scholarships.
• Buckeye Cattlemen's Summit Ohio's signature annual gathering featuring breed meetings, industry updates, educational opportunities, the OCA Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet, annual meetings for Buckeye Hereford Association, Ohio Shorthorn Association, Ohio Simmental Association, and Ohio Beef Youth Council educational events.
• Beef 509/510 Educational Program Educational program teaching cattle producers about the food side of their business, covering live cattle evaluation, beef carcass grading, grid pricing, beef harvest demonstration, carcass fabrication, beef quality assurance, and value chain understanding. Limited to 30 participants at $175 per person, with additional program expenses covered by the Ohio Beef Council.
• Cattlemen's Gala Annual fundraiser supporting the Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation Youth Scholarship Fund, featuring a gourmet beef dinner, silent and live auctions, and entertainment. Tickets are $100 per person and $75 for college students, with camping available at $40 per night.
• Young Cattlemen's Conference (YCC) Leadership development program for young adults involved in Ohio's beef industry featuring industry speakers, OCA program overview, beef checkoff information, spokesperson training, advocacy lobbying sessions, Ohio Statehouse visits, and meat science introduction. Open to OCA members over age 20; registration $200 per person or $350 per couple with all meals and hotel stay included.
• Allied Industry Council (AIC) Membership Business partnership membership for companies and industry professionals at $800/year (or $980 with NCBA membership), offering benefits including recognition in Ohio Cattleman magazine, advertising credits, social media mentions, e-blasts, website listing, and event access for up to 5 business employees.
• EAT BEEF License Plates Specialty license plate program supporting the Tagged for Greatness scholarship fund, with white plates featuring red and black design priced at $15 each.
• Replacement Female Sale Annual sale providing buyers and sellers opportunity for quality replacements including cow-calf pairs, bred cows, and bred heifers. Females must be under age five with verified pregnancy status and known EPDs.
• Top Hand Club Membership recruitment rewards club recognizing members who recruit 5+ new members with prizes based on recruitment levels, sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition and Quality Liquid Feeds.
• OCA PAC (Political Action Committee) Political arm representing Ohio cattlemen and women, raising voluntary contributions to support candidates who understand beef industry needs at the State House and Capitol Hill, with recognition levels from $25 to $5,000.
• Ohio Beef Youth Council (OBYC) Youth education initiative funded by Beef Checkoff and OCA providing tools for youth to become effective industry leaders, featuring lead, learn, explore, grow, and achieve opportunities.
• Roundup Meetings Free educational meetings offering hands-on learning experiences across Ohio focusing on different aspects of the cattle industry each year, with topics varying by location including grazing management, genetic testing, feedlot nutrition, and herd health.
• Ohio State Fair Beef Operations OCA's beef ambassador program and volunteer operations at the Ohio State Fair, with paid ambassador positions at $12/hour, team-building volunteer shifts, and partnership with J&J Steakbarn.
• Cattlemen at the Capitol Annual event bringing Ohio beef producers to Columbus to advocate for the beef industry, including Ohio Statehouse visits, lobbying etiquette training, and legislative reception, sponsored by Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau.
• Advertising (Magazine, Calendar, Expo Program, Digital) Multiple digital and print advertising outlets including Ohio Cattleman magazine (6x/year, 3,500 circulation), annual calendar (8,000 distribution), Expo program (30,000+ attendees), and digital advertising via email, Facebook, and newsletters (2,300+ reach).
• Producer and Associate Membership Annual membership for cattle-owning producers (with voting rights) and non-cattle-owning associate members, each receiving the Ohio Cattleman magazine six times per year and full member benefits. Family memberships are $100 and provide 12 months of service.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,200 member families served through nearly 60 county associations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOCA is an affiliate of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. This affiliation provides access to federal policy resources, national industry initiatives, and membership benefits including NCBA publications and the Young Cattlemen's Conference.
• Ohio Cattlemen's FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 1995, OCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that advances the future of Ohio's beef industry through research and education investments. OCA coordinates with OCF on scholarships, youth programs, and fundraising events.
• Ohio Beef CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ohio Beef Council manages the beef checkoff program in Ohio, funding promotion, research, and consumer education. OBC partners with OCA on events, youth programs, and industry initiatives.
• Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental SciencesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSU provides educational programs including Beef 509/510, livestock judging teams, and youth development. OCA supports OSU through scholarships and program collaboration.
• The Ohio State University ExtensionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSU Extension provides educational resources, research, and technical assistance to Ohio cattle producers. OCA coordinates programs including Beef Quality Assurance and producer education.
• Purina Animal NutritionsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors the Top Hand Club rewards program for membership recruitment efforts. Provides prizes for recruitment levels and recognition at annual meeting.
• Quality Liquid FeedssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsors the Top Hand Club rewards program with prizes for membership recruitment efforts and recognition at annual meeting.
• Nationwide InsurancesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors Cattlemen at the Capitol event and provides Workers Compensation Group Rating program through OCA membership.
• Ohio Farm BureausupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsors Cattlemen at the Capitol event and collaborates on legislative advocacy for agriculture.
• Select Sires Member CooperativesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors Young Cattleman of the Year award and provides educational support for youth programs.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Farm Bureau Federation: National umbrella agricultural advocacy organization representing broader farm interests. OCA partners with state Farm Bureau on legislative advocacy (Cattlemen at the Capitol), and Farm Bureau serves as a comparable broader-incumbent peer in agricultural policy and member services.
• Cattlemen's Beef Board: National checkoff-funded board that oversees the Beef Checkoff program. OCA's Executive Director oversees both OCA and the state checkoff (Ohio Beef Council), making the Cattlemen's Beef Board a structural peer for the checkoff-administration function.

Direct peers

• Indiana Beef Cattle Association: Indiana's state beef cattle organization providing membership, advocacy, and promotion services to producers. Closely comparable Midwestern state association peer to OCA.
• Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association: Oklahoma state cattle association with comparable membership, policy advocacy, and youth development programs. Similar operating model to OCA across a cattle-producing peer state.
• Texas Cattle Feeders Association: State-level cattle industry association representing Texas cattle feeders and beef producers. Highly comparable to OCA in structure, mission, and member services (advocacy, events, education), though serving a much larger cattle economy.
• National Cattlemen's Beef Association: The national trade association for U.S. cattle producers. OCA is a state affiliate of NCBA, making it the most directly comparable peer — both organizations provide policy advocacy, membership services, and producer education for beef cattle producers.
• Iowa Cattlemen's Association: State cattle industry association providing policy advocacy, events, and youth programs to Iowa beef producers. Closely mirrors OCA's county-association-based membership structure and event-driven GTM motion.
• Nebraska Cattlemen: Nebraska's state cattle association with comparable membership, advocacy, and producer education programs. Similar structure to OCA with policy representation and industry events, though at a larger cattle-economy scale.
• Kansas Livestock Association: Kansas state association for cattle producers providing legislative advocacy, education, and industry events. Operates with the same trade-association model as OCA but for a larger-scale beef-producing state.
• Pennsylvania Cattlemen's Association: Pennsylvania state cattle association serving beef producers with advocacy, education, and events. Comparable state-level trade association peer operating in a different regional cattle market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/1581834939675741
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ohio-cattlemen-s-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ohio Cattlemen's Association