September 9, 2026

Highlights the Value of Commercial Cattle at the Ohio State Fair

Columbus, Ohio — United Producers, Inc. (UPI), the Midwest’s largest livestock marketing cooperative, hosted its annual Commercial Cattle Show at the Ohio State Fair on August 1, bringing commercial cattle producers and exhibitors together to showcase cattle that represent the animals found in real-world beef operations. 

This year’s show featured 23 pens and 69 head of cattle. Unlike traditional show steer and show heifer competitions, the Commercial Cattle Show focuses on cattle produced as part of commercial operations. Exhibitors bring pens of three cattle to the fair, where the animals are evaluated both on the hoof and for carcass merit. The result is a competition that connects the work happening on the farm with the final product reaching consumers.

Mike Bumgarner, president and CEO of United Producers, Inc.

“Everything we do, whether it’s breeding or market animals, is about producing protein for the public. The Commercial Cattle Show gives producers an opportunity to show cattle that may not necessarily be traditional show cattle and learn what it takes to produce a profitable, high-quality animal. It brings together the traditional show ring with the realities of commercial cattle production.”

The Commercial Cattle Show includes both youth and open divisions. Youth exhibitors under 21, as well as organized youth groups, are eligible to participate in the junior division. Junior cattle are also eligible for the open competition. 

2026 Commercial Cattle Show Champions

Open Native Beef

Champion: Fred Voge, Pen 7

Reserve Champion: LinJus Farms, Pen 20

Youth Native Beef

Champion: Lincoln Winner, Pen 19

Reserve Champion: Lincoln Winner, Pen 18

Open Holstein

Champion: Hartschuh Livestock, Pen 15

Reserve Champion: Seibert Livestock, Pen 24

Youth Holstein

Champion: Hartschuh Livestock, Pen 15

Reserve Champion: Seibert Livestock, Pen 24

Open Native Carcass

Champion: Kasen Cole, Pen 5

Reserve Champion: Wade Kapp, Pen 10

Youth Native Carcass

Champion: Kasen Cole, Pen 5

Reserve Champion: Wade Kapp, Pen 10

Open Holstein Carcass

Champion: Hartschuh Livestock, Pen 15

Reserve Champion: Seibert Livestock, Pen 24

Youth Holstein Carcass

Champion: Hartschuh Livestock, Pen 15

Reserve Champion: Seibert Livestock, Pen 24

Outstanding Youth Commercial Exhibitor: Hartschuh Livestock 

For young exhibitors especially, the show offers hands-on experience with the commercial side of the beef industry and demonstrates how decisions made on the farm can ultimately affect profitability, cattle quality and the beef produced for consumers. 

UPI serves 30,000 members in Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Tennessee, handling approximately 2.7 million head of livestock per year. UPI also offers risk management services, including marketing agreements and brokerage services; and offers competitive agricultural lending products for real estate, farm, operating, and livestock financing. For more information visit www.uproducers.com or follow United Producers, Inc. on Facebook.

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