'Heart of it All' shows off Ohio cattle

by Katlyn Britt-Rankin, posted Dec. 9, 2011

The Heart of it All Steer Show kicked off the Ohio Cattlemen's Association Beef Exhibitor Show Total (BEST) show season over Thanksgiving weekend with more than 800 head of steers and heifers. Trailers from around the United States could be seen on the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 27. Cattle were transported to Ohio to see how they compare to competitors in the upcoming show season.

"We have a great turn out," said Allen Gahler, Beef Exhibitor Show Total committee member. "It is an open show and we get a lot of great cattle from all over the U.S."

Cattle from Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana and many other states participated for the $1,000 grand prize. Heart of it All offered more than $5,000 in payout to its participants.

"People come to this show to see where they stand," said Justin Morgan, owner of Morgan Cattle Company in Columbus, Ohio. "Every (cattle) trader knows to have five or six head in the barn after this show because people want something different."

Ohio is known for its quality of cattle and Heart of it All proved that again this year. With more than 800 head of cattle entered in the show, several will become champions down the road.

"It's amazing," said Les Edwards, owner of Edwards Show Team of Harrisburg, Mo. "You come here and there are eight or nine good ones in every class. In Missouri, you are lucky to have four good ones in the entire show."

Edwards showed in Ohio last year and stood seventh in his class. That same steer was the Reserve Grand Champion 4-H steer at the Missouri State Fair. The quality of cattle in Ohio is unparalleled by most states.

Heart of it All is an annual tradition known for its quality of cattle and extreme competition. Some of the best cattle from around the United States were able to make Heart of it All a success again this year.

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