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Equine production, management and profitability were addressed at this fall's OFBF Equine Conferences in Akron and Cincinnati. Both conferences featured presentations by experts from Ohio State University Extension; Ohio State colleges of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Sciences, Agricultural Economics and Horticulture and Crop Sciences; USDA; Nationwide Insurance; and OFBF regarding topics such as animal health, zoning, agricultural districts, current agricultural use valuation (CAUV) and line fence laws.

The Akron conference also included sessions regarding attractive nuisance, environmental rules and regulations, safety, and how to finance environmental improvements, management practices and structures through various cost-share programs. The Cincinnati conference featured additional sessions regarding Ohio’s equine liability law, manure management, insurance, sales tax and other tax-related issues, business management principles and pasture and hay management for horse farms.

Ohio's most recent statistics cite approximately 192,000 horses in the state; 263,500 participants in the industry who help generate $776 million in goods and services; and 11,400 full-time jobs. OFBF's Equine Advisory Committee was formed in 1999 to help guide and direct the organization regarding equine policy, programs, projects and activities.