Fair days make lasting memories
This time of year makes me think of my childhood memories of going to the fair and of growing up on the farm.
Read More
Changes to Ohio Livestock Exhibition Rules sought after by livestock exhibitors and advocated for by Ohio Farm Bureau were recently made to sections of the Ohio Revised Code.
A subcommittee of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Ohio Advisory Committee on Livestock Exhibitions was formed to update, clarify, simplify and reduce rules for livestock exhibitions, and Ohio Farm Bureau Director of Livestock Policy Roger High served on the subcommittee.
“The issue was that Ohio 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors were expected to utilize ‘approved’ drugs in their livestock at zero tolerance levels, whereas the rest of the livestock industry had Federal Drug Administration and Food Residue Avoidance Databank tolerance levels,” High said. “In other words, Ohio’s 4-H and FFA members were being held to a much higher level of expectations of drug residue tolerance than the rest of the livestock industry.”
This was only for approved drugs, High noted, which means a drug with an established tolerance approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration listed in 21 CFR Part 556 when used according to the label instructions for the species indicated on the label.
“Over the past several years OFBF members and their families’ animals were being tested, and although those animals were below the FDA and FARAD tolerance levels, they were still being penalized for utilizing an approved drug because Ohio Revised Code rules indicated that there was a zero tolerance for even approved drugs in their systems,” he said. “These approved drugs were being utilized primarily for fevers, bacterial infections, viral infections and pain management. Common issues in the entire livestock industry and important for animal welfare.”
At the 2023 Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, delegates voted to establish a policy that would support these changes in the Ohio Revised Code.
Now if an “approved” drug is used with a valid Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR) to treat their livestock, the exhibitors and their families will only be penalized if the livestock project is over FDA and FARAD Tolerance Guidelines and not zero tolerance guidelines.
The new rules went into effect in late May. They included the removal of the Zero Tolerance Guidelines for Livestock Exhibitors exhibiting their livestock and replaced with the FDA and FARAD Tolerance Guidelines, with one notable exception.
“The FDA guidelines are only for those livestock species with established tolerance levels. If there is not an established or approved tolerance level from FDA or FARAD for a species, then they will remain at zero tolerance,” High said.
Photo credit: Ohio State Fair
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Featured Articles
Farm Bureau at the Crawford County Fair
The Crawford County Farm Bureau encourages everyone to visit the Crawford County Fair July 14 – 19.
Read More
Farm Bureau hosting events at 2025 Marion County Fair
Marion County Farm Bureau would like to encourage everyone to visit the Marion County Fair June 30 through July 5. Check out this year’s schedule of Farm Bureau sponsored events!
Read More
Get your Morrow County Farm Bureau Stall Sign
Youth exhibitors displaying a stall sign on their pens during fair week will receive exclusive add-on money.
Read More
Adams County Farm Bureau celebrates Farm Bureau Day at the Fair
Adams County Farm Bureau combined tradition, education, and community spirit, making Farm Bureau Day a highlight of the fair.
Read More
Ohio Livestock Exhibition Rules updated
Now if an ‘approved’ drug is used with a valid Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship to treat their livestock, the exhibitors and their families will only be penalized if the livestock project is over FDA and FARAD Tolerance Guidelines.
Read More
Adams County Farm Bureau celebrates national recognition at American Farm Bureau conference
The recognition as a CAE winner reflects Adams County Farm Bureau’s unwavering commitment to promoting agricultural awareness and community engagement.
Read More
Our Ohio Weekly: Hands-Free Ohio and stepped-up basis
The Hands-Free Ohio bill would revise Ohio’s law relative to distracted driving.
Read More
Guidelines set for the 2021 fair season
The governor’s revised orders for fairs include compliance with the statewide mask order and social distancing, as well as guidelines for animal exhibitions.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau, others ask for state, county fair guidance
In mid-February, Ohio agriculture groups wrote a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine asking him to release his plans for the safe operation of this year’s fairs as soon as possible.
Read More