About Us

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association is a non-profit membership organization that represents the business interests important to farm families that raise cattle. It serves as the voice and issues manager for all of Ohio’s beef cattle business including cattle breeders, producers and feeders. It is the beef industry’s grassroots policy development organization and is an affiliate of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

The association services nearly 60 county associations and communicates through various publications and social media. The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association strives to maintain profitability and growth of Ohio's beef industry, while providing consumers with safe and wholesome beef.

vision

Maintain profitability and growth of Ohio's beef industry

mission

Member focused and issue driven to represent the business interests important to Ohio's cattle families

THE FOCUS OF THE OHIO CATTLEMENS ASSOCIATION IS TO:

Represent all Ohio beef producers
Encourage membership of Ohio beef producers and provide member services
Generate legislative and regulatory effectiveness through grassroots lobbying efforts
Provide industry information and educational programs Implement beef improvement programs
Promote Ohio's beef producers' interest on the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's Dues Division

Learn more about the goals of OCA by reading our 2023 - 2026 Strategic Plan

Interested in learning more about what OCA can do for you? Head over to our Membership Page

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OHIO'S CATTLE INDUSTRY? DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET.

History

The Ohio Cattlemen's Association (OCA), first known as the Ohio Cattle Feeders Association, was started in 1951. The goals of the association, as defined in the minutes from the first meeting, were to promote the interests of the beef cattle industry, consider legislative matters or business interests, cooperate with and encourage research, and conduct educational meetings.

In May, 1950 the first officers for the Ohio Cattle Feeders Association were elected. Flenner Mellinger of Springfield was elected president. Russell Campbell of Camden served as the association's first vice president. Today, the organization is known as the Ohio Cattlemen's Association. It is a membership organization that represents all beef industry producers - cow/calf, feeder, stocker, seedstock and dairy. OCA serves a membership of over 2,200 families throughout Ohio and surroundings states with over 60 county associations.

Pictured on the right are members at an open house celebrating the completion of the OCA office in Marysville, Ohio in 1997.