Oklahoma Cattlemen invest in Oklahoma’s agricultural youth

The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association has served as the Trusted Voice of Oklahoma cattle producers since 1953. The organization has long-standing values that serving today’s beef producers goes handin-hand with supporting Oklahoma’s agricultural youth, specifically young people interested in beef production.

The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association has coordinated the steer and heifer futurity sales and showback at the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) since 2015. Over 60 heifers and 50 steers were sold through the 2023 futurity sales during OYE.

“These sales provide students an opportunity to purchase an animal for their next show,” said Tiffani Pruitt, Futurity Sale Coordinator. “The OCA proudly coordinates the sales because it provides us with an opportunity to further support young cattlemen at OYE. We invest the commission from the futurity sales right back into agricultural youth through purchases and add-ons at the OYE Sale of Champions.”

OCA invested about $20,000.00 at the OYE Sale of Champions. And that is just how the organization views it – an investment.

“Supporting, encouraging and investing in our youth helps keep the next generation rooted in agriculture and is vitally important to our association and industry,” Pruitt said. “This year, we saw the largest number of animals return for the steer and heifer shows that exhibitors purchased last year, and we sold more cattle for next year than we ever have. We appreciate the young people involved and the breeders who help them be involved in the beef industry.”

The Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen’s Association was charted in 1985 with the purpose to promote the welfare of the cattle industry by furthering the education and cooperation of young people interested in cattle, and to aid in the attainment of mutual goals set by OJCA members interested in all phases of their business and all possible career and leadership opportunities.

Pruitt also serves as the coordinator of the Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen’s Association (OJCA).