MARYSVILLE – Hadley LeVan of Champaign County was awarded Breed Division Champion/Reserve Champion Angus Heifer after a recent competition.

The 2016-2017 Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) BEST (Beef Exhibitor Show Total) Program wrapped up on May 6 with its annual awards banquet held at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.

“The banquet is a time to celebrate the many achievements of our BEST participants, both in and out of the show ring,” said Stephanie Sindel, OCA Director of Youth Programs. “Each participant is recognized for their hard work by family, friends and BEST supporters alike.”

Several representatives from program sponsors, Bob Evans Farms, Burroughs Frazier Farms, Evans Cattle Company, Farm Credit Mid-America, M.H. Eby, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and Weaver Leather Livestock, helped present awards totaling more than $50,000 in belt buckles, luggage, show materials and other awards.

This year’s BEST program featured 15 sanctioned shows across the state with over 440 youth participants showing 649 head of market animals and heifers.