Contact: Katie Olthoff, Director of Communications, Iowa Cattlemen's Association, 515-296-2266
The show and auction, which were held at Iowa State University, are an annual fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald Houses in Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City. The houses are located near hospitals and provide a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association sponsor the annual steer show and auction.
Since its inception in 1983, the Governor’s Charity Steer Show has raised over $4.1 million for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa. This year’s event included 23 steers, the Iowa youth who raised them and celebrity show persons. Governor Kim Reynolds was expected to participate, but storm relief efforts after this week’s Derecho kept her from the show. First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds showed in her place, taking home Grand Champion honors with the steer raised by Tyson Von Glan of Vail. Reynolds’s steer was chosen by judge Chad Holtkamp of West Point, Iowa.
Dr. Dan Thomson, chair of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University, served as the Showmanship Judge. Thomson chose celebrity Mike McDonough of Oelwein, who showed a steer raised by Ethan Thimmes from Mechanicsville. McDonough’s family utilized the services of three different Ronald McDonald House Charities since the spring of 2018 when Mike faced an extreme health challenge related to Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
The steer raised by Rylie Timm and shown by Tate Schafer and Boone Myers was chosen by voters on Facebook as People’s Choice. Tate has a rare brain tumor, but celebrated his thirteenth birthday and 20 months post-diagnosis earlier in August.
Emcees for the event included Bob Quinn and Andy Peterson of WHO/WMT Radio and Michelle Rook of WNAX Radio. The auctioneers were Phil Schooley of Bloomfield, Russele Sleep of Bedford, and Jared Miller of Leon. Catching bids in the ring were Mike Sorensen of Livestock Plus and Jason Lekin from Tama Livestock Auction.
Donations can still be made at www.donorbox.org/gcss and additional photos can be found at facebook.com/iowagcss/.
1. Sponsor: Iowa Beef Industry & Iowa Cattlemen’s Association
Celebrity: Kevin Reynolds, First Gentleman of Iowa
Exhibitor: Tyson Von Glan, Vail
Steer: Mighty Minne
Buyer: McDonalds of Des Moines and Iowa City (J&D Restaurants, O’Brien Family); additional support from friends of Tyson Von Glan and Governor Reynolds
Total: $18,000
2. Sponsor: Crawford County Cattlemen & Nor-AM Cold Storage
Celebrity: Lt. Governor Adam Gregg
Exhibitor: Makenzie Smith, Charter Oak
Steer: Merle
Buyer: Sioux County businesses, Adam & Cari Gregg, Nor-Am Cold Storage in Memory of Dale Lilleholm, Crawford Co. Cattlemen & Local Supporters
Total: $9,388.40
3. Sponsor: Davis County Beef Promoters
Celebrity: David Young, U.S. House Candidate IA-3
Exhibitor: Max Taylor, Bloomfield
Steer: Mello Buyer: James Oil Company, additional support from Jerome and Connie VanWye
Total: $4,100
4. Sponsor: Mahaska County Cattlemen & Friends
Celebrity: Simon Conway, Newsradio 1040
Exhibitor: Paul DeJong, Lynnville
Steer: Bear
Buyer: Producer’s Livestock of Omaha and Sioux City and Mahaska County Cattlemen and Friends
Total: $9,000
5. Sponsor: Central Iowa County Farm Bureaus
Celebrity: Daniel Robison, Dean of Ag & Life Sciences, Iowa State University
Exhibitor: Carson Suchan, Gowrie
Steer: “The Real Deal” Brutus
Buyer: Iowa Farm Bureau
Total: $4,500
6. Sponsor: Des Moines Area Community College
Celebrity: Morgan Knapp, DMACC Student Exhibitor: Grant Borkowski, Carroll
Steer: Buster
Buyer: James Oil Co, DMACC Agribusiness, Borkowski Family, Iowa Culinary Institute
Total: $15,000
7. Sponsor: Dee Zee Mfg. (The Quality Truck Accessory People)
Celebrity: State Senator Randy Feenstra, U.S. House Candidate, IA-4
Exhibitor: Kinser Gallagher, Clive
Steer: Clyde
Buyer: Pioneer Strategic Sourcing, Wurth Des Moines Bolt, Superior Extrusion, Jeff Bender, Peerless Supply, Tasler Pallets, Carlson Systems, Almond Products, Metal West, Kuntz Electro Plating
Total: $7,800
8. Sponsor: Volunteer Boards of Iowa Ronald McDonald House Charities
Celebrity: Drake Foutch, Son of Paul & Natalie Foutch
Exhibitor: Renee Grimm, Audubon
Steer: Bo Buyer: Tama Livestock Auction, Friends of Renee Grimm
Total: $8,200
9. Sponsor: McDonald’s Restaurants of Iowa
Celebrity: Reynolds Cramer, Fareway CEO
Exhibitor: Chase Anderson, Boone
Steer: Finn
Buyer: Hy-Vee for $5,500; additional support from Fareway Stores for $10,000, Syngenta, Bayer Crop Science, Purple Bound Show Feeds, Jim & Linda Anderson, People’s Bank, Farm Credit, family and friends of Tim & Stacie Anderson
Total: $22,266.40
10. Sponsor: McDonald’s Restaurants of Iowa
Celebrity: Mike McDonough, Oelwein
Exhibitor: Ethan Thimmes, Mechanicsville
Steer: Colt
Buyer: Curran Cattle Company, Mosier Seed Supply, Thimmes Garms, Sugar Creek Farms, Sean Issacison, Pruess Cattle, Kabela Brothers, Kilburg Decision, Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank, JJ. Nichbig, Double C Cattle, Mary Adkins & Amy Sue McDonough, Mike Puff
Total: $7,700
11. Sponsor: McDonald’s Restaurants of Northwest Iowa
Celebrity: Jaret Lansford, Morning Meteorologist at KTIV-TV
Exhibitor: Hunter Maass, Ida Grove
Steer: McFlurry
Buyer: NW Iowa County Cattlemen's Associations
Total: $15,628.00
12. Sponsor: Friends of Floyd County
Celebrity: Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Ag
Exhibitor: Delaney Ruzicka, Marble Rock
Steer: Chance
Buyer: Friends of Floyd County
Total: $7,250
13. Sponsor: Monroe County Cattlemen & Supporters
Celebrity: Corbitt Wall, DVAuction
Exhibitor: Lauren Bayer, Albia
Steer: Trust Buster
Buyer: Knupp Farms purchased for $3500. Additional support from Monroe County Cattlemen, John Knowles, Iowa Agribusiness Radio, Tracy and Renee Howell and Joplin Regional Stockyards, and Monroe County supporters including Adams A/B Company, Albia Animal Clinic, Albia Hardees, Albia Motor, Ammons Farms - Paul Ammons Family, Animal Health Center, Beary Farms, Brian & Gina Crall Family, Bryan & Amber Reed Family, Carolyn & Josey Ryan, Carr Show Cattle, Cason Boer Goats, Cason Pride & Joy Simmentals, Centerville Produce, Chiropractic Health Center, Coaltrain Implement, Conley Spray Foam, Crall Pioneer Seed, Crawford Insurance, Curt & Kaylene Peterson Family, Dan & Jill Yule Family, Donnie & Emma Conway, Don Teno Family, Double D Repair / Dowdy Farms English Mastiffs, Dr. Ross & Phyllis Rekemeyer, Dyson Trucking - Don & Norma Dyson, Falvey Lumber, Farm Credit Service, Feehans Pub, First Iowa State Bank, G & P Insurance, Goff & Nash, Greiner Implement Co., Hawkeye Farm Mgmt, Henderson Cattle Inc- Bob, Patty, Aaron, Andy & Adam, Herbold Cattle, HMH Storage - Mike & Heather Flahive, Huber Farms, Indian Hills Inn, Jeff & Julie Major, Jim & Charlies Meat & Grocery, Jim & Connie Keller, Jim & Kathy Carr, Jim & Lori Keller Family, Joe & Barb Crall Family, Joe & Kris Knowles, John & Paige Bradley Family, John & Patty Judge, Jordon & Stephanie Haywood Family, JTF Farms - Jerry and Tonya Findley, Justine Stevenson Family, Kaster Fencing, Kenny & Helen Shepard Family, Kenny & Peggy VandenBerg, Kevin & Angela Wilson Family, Kevin & Wendy Dyson, KIIC Thunder Country, Kirksville Livestock, Kness Mfg Co/ Kness Pest Defense, Knowles Cattle - John & Payten, Lathrop Farms, Lawless Farms, Mamasfarmhousedesigns.com, Mark Jacobs, Mark, Lisa, John Shepard, Mike & Jane Knowles Family, Milton & Christine Wilson Family, Monroe Care Center, Monroe Co Farm Bureau, Moravia Hardwoods, Mossy Oak Properties, Murphy Auction Service, Ozinga Feed Service, People’s State Bank Office of South, Ottumwa Savings Bank, Precision Seed Services, Quality Ag Service Inc, Reed Excavation, Restoration Dental Care - Dr Laura Adam, Rozenboom Farms & Trucking, Russell Livestock Market, Schofield Lawn Care, Scieszinksi Construction, Smith Fertilizer & Grain, Southern Iowa Oil, State Farm with Wes, Steve & Karla Heffron Family, Steve & Lori Rockwell, Stocker Farms, TBC Insurance, Tim & Cindy Kaldenberg Family, Todd & Melissa Ryan, Tracy & Renee Howell, VandenBerg Family Greenhouse, Zero Connect
Total: $6,600
14. Sponsor: Iowa County Beef Supporters
Celebrity: Tate Schafer, Cancer Warrior & Boone Myers, Former Iowa Football Player
Exhibitor: Rylee Timm, Guernsey
Steer: Candyman
Buyer: Sinclair Tractor, James Oil Company
Total: $18,150
15. Sponsor: Foster & Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust & Franklin Co. Supporters
Celebrity: Chip Flory, AgriTalk
Exhibitor: Reeve Wagner, Hampton
Steer: Marbles
Buyer: Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust, with additional support from Andrew Benning and Mort's Water Company
Total: $27,000
16. Sponsor: Iowa Hereford Breeders Association
Celebrity: Carson King, Venmo Legend
Exhibitor: Jenna Smith, Newton
Steer: Hyde
Buyer: Iowa Hereford Breeders Association
Total: $9,054
17. Sponsor: Iowa Corn Promotion Board
Celebrity: Jim Greif, Iowa Corn Growers Association President
Exhibitor: Isaac Stamp, Walnut
Steer: Maverick
Buyer: Creston Livestock
Total: $3,674.80
18. Sponsor: Johnson County Cattlemen
Celebrity: Jeremiah Moody, Iowa Wrestler
Exhibitor: Kelly Marshek, Iowa City
Steer: Billy Bob
Buyer: O'Brien Family McDonalds, Johnson County Cattlemen & Local Supporters
Total: $9,500.00
19. Sponsor: Jackson County Cattlemen Assoc. & Friends of Jackson County Cattlemen
Celebrity: Brittany Gunn, Miss Rodeo Iowa
Exhibitor: Taylor Deppe, Bellevue
Steer: Hollywood
Buyer: Michael Slattery
Total: $5,500
20. Sponsor: Iowa Veterinary Medical Association & ISU College of Veterinary Medicine
Celebrity: Chris Williams, Cyclone Fanatic
Exhibitor: Garrett Moore, Earlham
Steer: George
Buyer: Tama Livestock, Mark & Dinah Young, Dan & Cindy Thomson, Mark & Marnie Moore
Total: $5,520
21. Sponsor: District 20 Cattlemen’s Association
Celebrity: John Kuhens, Retired Radio Host KILJ
Exhibitor: Aer’Ronne Johnson, Hillsboro
Steer: Charcoal
Buyer: Iowa Cattlemen’s Association District 20 Sponsors including MD Orthopedics, Winfield Builders, Wishing Well Angus, Gary Anderson Insurance, Henry County Cattlemen, Weile Motors, Carl Lund, Jeff & Nancy McGohan, Green Valley Seed, Thom Miller, Randy Gipple, Kelley Show Cattle, J.W. Vittetoe Pork, TC Tilling, SE Iowa Livestock & Pet, Sinclair Tractor-Houghton, Moore Seed & Service, Lee County Vet Care, Thompson Farm Supply, Farmington Locker, Rod & Katie Townsend, Tugboat Transportation, Press Box Grille, Hy-Vee Mt. Pleasant, Classique Design, JJ Nichting, Hawkeye Steel, Two Rivers MP, Vision Ag/Pioneer-Stockport, Farmers Coop/Purina-Stockport, Stockport Elevator, Kongable Angus - Winfield, Graber Services LTD, Chem Gro-Houghton, Pilot Grove Savings Bank, Beck’s Hybrids, Quality Plus Feed, B&B Gas, Wellman Cattle Co., Wright Farms, Miller’s Plumbing & Heating, Dan Denney, Chem Gro-Olds, DMC Mutual Insurance, Sinclair Tractor - Mediapolis, Steffner Show Cattle, Darbyshire Show Cattle & Trucking, McLaughlin Cattle Company, Farmer’s Elevator & Exchange - Wapello, Sam Smith Farms, A3B Livestock, Heater Farms, Tom Bonnichsen Farm, Dale & Dana Howell, Big River Resources of Burlington, Morning Sun Farm Implement, Mediapolis Savings Bank, B.A.N.K. of Morning Sun, Matt & Michelle Hunt, Speery Union Store, INC, Central Iowa KFC, INC, Farm Credit Services of America, Edith Kuhens, John & Susie Kuhens, Delaney Cattle Co - Dan & Chris, Peck Agri, First National Bank, Jefferson County Cattlemen, Stone House Angus, 6S Cattle Co - Schleicher Family, JD Walker DVM, KIIJ Radio, Joe & Nicole Syfert, Hair Designers, JP & Jackie Welcher, Noll Beef - Russ & Kathy, Louth Cattle Co., Insurance Station Inc., Sears Hometown of Fairfield, Taglauer Angus Farms, Douds Lumber/Home Center, Moore’s Grocery, Douds Kwik Stop, Caves Cattle Co., Kisling Custom Cattle Working, Blain & Rachel Smith Family, Hometown Veterinary Care, RJM Automotive, Rosemary Hammes, Vision Ag/Farmers Coop, State Farm Insurance, Steve Greiner, Boley Repair, Baier Auto, Isebell Beinhart, Adelin Beinhart, Klopfenstein Cattle , Walmart (K. Noll), Bennett Ag Research Corp, Gas and Goodies, Donna Greiner, Harold Dickey Oil Corp., Tracy & Pat Hammes, HyVee Fairfield, Hinshaw Trailers, Kayser Soil Service, Packwood Locker and Meats, The Veterinary Clinic
Total: $18,528.80
22. Sponsor: Asgrow
Celebrity: Ray ‘Bubba’ Sorensen, Representative for House District 20, Freedom Rock Artist
Exhibitor: Abbi Pfeifer, Russell
Steer: Marc
Buyer: Pfeifer and Sorenson Families
Total: $2,750
23. Sponsor: Iowa Premium, A National Beef Company
Celebrity: Tim Klein, National Beef Packing
Exhibitor: Conner Murty, Gladbrook
Steer: Prime Cut
Buyer: Iowa Premium
Total: $21,527.58
About the Iowa Beef Industry Council: Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the Iowa Beef Industry Council is funded by the $1.50-per-head beef checkoff. Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion, consumer information, research, industry information and foreign market development, all with the purpose of strengthening beef demand. For more information visit www.iabeef.org.
About the Iowa Cattlemen's Association: The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association represents nearly 9,000 beef-producing families and associated companies dedicated to the future of Iowa’s beef industry. ICA’s mission is “Grow Iowa’s beef business through advocacy, leadership and education.” www.iacattlemen.org