By SUSAN MYKRANTZ

Ohio Correspondent

LOUIS CENTER, Ohio — No matter the size or scope of an operation, caring for the land, cattle and people involved was a common theme among the recipients of awards presented by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Assoc. (OCA).

Perhaps Chris Gibbs, winner of the 2018 Environmental Stewardship award, said it best when he reminded the audience that when they go out in the field, to do the right thing by the cows and the land, because “the Good Lord is watching and so are the neighbors.”

This award is presented by the OCA to recognize individuals who excel in preserving and protecting the environment of their farm. Gibbs and his wife, Deb, along with their son, Jason, and daughter-in-law, Shelby, manage a 675-acre grain and cattle operation in Maplewood. This is a first-generation farm Gibbs purchased in 1983.

The operation is made up of 115 acres of pasture and 560 acres of crops including corn, soybean and alfalfa. When Jason returned to the farm in 2011 after college, he purchased a small group of cows. The Gibbses now own 20 head, most of Gelbvieh-Angus breed. They also assist with the management of another 70 head.

Focusing on sustainability,  they use intensive grazing and rotate pastures on a near-daily basis. They “work with nature” and make use of cover crops, waterways and buffer strips. They also participate in the USDA Conservation Reserve Program. Gibbs said his goal is to keep the farm prosperous for future generations.

Kyle Nickles was named OCA Young Cattleman of the Year. This was established to recognize young producers in Ohio working to better the beef industry. He and his wife, Audrey, help Nickles’ father, Doug, with the operation of Wooden Nickle Farm. They have a daughter, Claire.

Nickles run 80 head of cattle on 150 acres of pasture north of Loudonville. He selects for good growth and high marbling and grading traits within the cattle to improve the quality of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Wooden Nickle Farm feeds out around 100 head a year and privately sells market and breeding animals.

Nickles consigns animals at seedstock sales during the Ohio Beef Expo, but has a goal of hosting a production sale. He plans to stay involved in various aspects of the industry as he continues to be innovative in his own day-to-day operations.

Gerber Farms of Middletown received the Commercial Producer of the Year Award, which goes to the top commercial beef operations in Ohio. The Gerber family purchased the farm in 1952. Gary Gerber is the third generation to operate the 1,800-acre grain and livestock operation.

He manages the farm with help from his wife, Cari, his children Kelli, Lauren and Clayton and his parents, Jerry and Cleo. They own more than 150 brood cows, and have a feedlot operation where they feed out between 300-400 head each year. The family selects top breeding stock to increase the quality of their genetics and produce calves with high-quality grades.

Gerber said his main goal is to support all family members involved with the operation for generations to come.

J & L Cattle Services of Jeromesville was named Seedstock Producer of the Year. J & L is owned and operated by Jeff and Lou Ellen Harr and their daughter, Keayla. The family manage about 80 mature registered Hereford cows, a spring calving group of 70 and a fall calving group of 10-12 cows. They also feed out around 25-30 steers.

The Harrs also custom-manage heifers for other producers; bringing in weaned heifer calves and returning bred heifers to the owners. They sell cattle through private treaty at the Ohio Beef Expo and every other year during their J & L and Guests sale.

Jeff and Lou Ellen use available technology to produce high-quality Hereford genetics, focusing on fertility traits in females as well as carcass quality for the steers. They believe changing and adapting their operation to meet the needs of the industry and their customers will allow them to continue for years.

Rep. Brian Hill (R-Zanesville) received the OCA’s Beef Industry Service Award. This award is presented to individuals who contribute to the betterment of the cattle industry. He is the state representative from the 97th Ohio House district and chair of its Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

Hill was raised on a farm his grandpa purchased in 1950. Today, he and his father continue the beef operation in Muskingum County. He has used his leadership position as an opportunity to “speak for agriculture” and led efforts to reform the Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) and offer property tax relief to the state’s farmers and beef producers.

Bob Boliantz received the OCA’s Industry Excellence Award. He is the owner of E.R. Boliantz Co. in Ashland. The business has been in the family for three generations, dating back to the late 1920s. E.R. Boliantz Co. is a harvesting facility that sells wholesale products into retail markets and independent meat shops.

E.R. Boliantz focuses on family and people as well as integrity and honesty. This allows Bob to work closely with farmers for the best quality beef. The firm promotes quality genetics and effective and responsible management practices while also realizing the importance of source-age verification.

(Note: Farm World sponsors the Seedstock Producer of the Year award, but does not participate in the selection of candidates or the winner.)