MARYSVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) announced the theme for its Beef Exhibitor Show Total (BEST) program for the 2025-2026 season: “Getting Groovy with the Best.” The youth education and development program is continually working to engage young participants in Ohio’s cattle industry, and this year’s theme aims to make the series more enjoyable and visible.

According to Hannah Weymouth, OCA communications manager, the decision to go with a disco-inspired theme was intentional. “We wanted to incorporate something fun and exciting into the program with the idea that the theme would be more visible throughout the season,” she said. “Therefore, we went with disco because of its bright colors and intriguing design.”

The BEST program is a long-standing youth development series that recognizes young Ohio beef exhibitors through a circuit of sanctioned shows. This season’s series marks the 27th year for the BEST program.

Introduced in 1999, the program was designed with three goals: to educate young people and help develop future leaders; to recognize and reward outstanding youth in the beef industry; and to provide a series of cattle shows with fair, consistent and ethical rules.

The series has impressive involvement year after year. “Last season, there were 508 BEST participants and 718 animals nominated,” OCA Youth Education & Development manager Kristen Rappold said. “On average, each show hosts between 300 and 350 participants.”

This season’s opening show had 282 participants and nearly 400 head of cattle entered. The Intermediate and Senior divisions see the most participants.

Only Ohio residents who are 8 years old as of Jan. 1, 2026, but are not older than 21 years of age as of Jan. 1, 2026, are eligible to accumulate OCA BEST points, unless they’re participating in the Buckeye Breeder Series (BBS). The BBS requires that cattle be born and bred in Ohio. Those exhibiting BBS cattle may accumulate BEST points even if they live out of state. The BBS has a separate set of points.

While the Ohio Beef Expo is the traditional season climax, other shows during the series can see larger numbers. “The first show, like Mardi Gras, is often one of the smaller ones, given its timing early in the season right after events like the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville,” Rappold said. “Shows later in the season, are generally larger.”

Typical head counts in the middle of the BEST season are anywhere from 500 to 700 head of cattle.

Show participants earn points for their placings in categories including cattle showmanship, registered bred and owned animals, and the BBS.

The cattle must meet specific age requirements: steers and market heifers must be born on or after Jan. 1, 2025, and breeding heifers on or after Sept. 1, 2024.

The season officially kicks off the week before Thanksgiving and concludes at the Ohio Beef Expo, March 19-22, 2026. In total, there are nine shows in the series, primarily centered in and around Columbus.

The BEST program goes beyond the show ring by offering valuable leadership, scholarship and community service opportunities. “Youth can apply to become a BEST representative,” Rappold said. “Representatives serve two-year terms, and their responsibilities include helping with check-in, assisting with various show tasks, and supporting the final awards banquet.” Each rep receives a $500 scholarship at the end of their two-year term.

The program also offers $1,000 scholarships to participants pursuing an agricultural-related degree. However, a limited number of scholarships are available for those entering non-ag fields, based on the number of applicants.

This year’s series looks different from past years due to the removal of the Novice Division and the shifting of the stockmanship program.

The Novice Division was based on the exhibitor’s years of experience, not their age. “This often meant a wide range of physical ability and experience levels competed against one another. “Rappold said. For example, a novice 8-year-old might compete against a novice 15-year-old.

The change was made to better align the competition with the existing age divisions, “ensuring more consistent skill levels within the competitive classes.” Rappold said.

The Stockmanship Program transitioned out of the BEST series and into the Ohio Youth Beef Council (OYBC). This move was made because the stockmanship program’s goals – which emphasize cattle handling and welfare – are more closely aligned with the overall mission of the OYBC.