The Oklahoma Best Beef Competition, to be held in the Oklahoma City Stockyards on October 19, is about to hold its third annual event where local Oklahoma ranchers will grill steaks to compete for the title of having the Best Beef in Oklahoma or the coveted People’s Choice award. Farm Director KC Sheperd caught up with Kelli Payne.
The premise of the event was the awakening after the isolation brought on by the COVID pandemic caused people to be more curious about where their food comes from. “We seized on that opportunity,” said Payne. “What better way to celebrate Oklahoma’s ranchers and invite the public to come and sample their product and meet the producers face to face?”
The event will be held next to Langston’s in Oklahoma Stockyards City in conjunction with the Stockyards Stampede, an event that has been running for almost 30 years. The Slash O’ Ranch Longhorns will be paraded down the street at around 10 a.m., and then be held just behind the location of the Best Beef Competition. The grills will be fired up at about 11 a.m., and an independent panel of certified judges will choose first through third places, but all in attendance can place their votes for the recipient of the People’s Choice Award. Stick around until 4 pm to find out who won during the Awards Presentation.
It will also host a Made In Oklahoma popup market, and a chuckwagon exhibit, and the shops that regularly do business in Stockyards City will have their doors open. There will also be a Kid’s Corral for the young cowpokes. There will be a stage set up nearby with live music, and the Little Miss and Mister Stockyards Pageant will also be held there, too.
“It really will be a great day for the entire family!” Payne said.
There will be nine teams competing for the title at the 2024 event, half of which are repeat contenders. The Oklahoma Panhandle, Southeast Oklahoma and everywhere in between will be represented there.
“You can get a unique glimpse into the lives of these ranchers, and how far they are traveling to be there,” Payne added. “They really look forward to coming to this, because it is a great way for them to advertise.”
Bring a chair and a bib and enjoy a great day in Stockyards City. Payne concluded, “There is a lot of history in the Stockyards, and last year, we had a little over 1,000 people come through to sample steaks. It is great exposure for these ranchers, but it’s great for the community to come and learn.”
Tickets can be purchased the day of at the registration booth for $25 apiece, and children below 5 are free. Event proceeds go to the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarships and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. Keep tabs on the action at the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Facebook page.
