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In another record-breaking year, the 42nd annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show continues to elevate the bar raising $568,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. This was a significant jump from last year’s record of $501,000. Including this year’s donations, the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer is inching close to $6 million in donations since its inception in 1983.
All money raised benefits the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa located in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. These three houses have served over 55,000 families from all 50 states and many foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa.
This event, hosted by the Office of the Governor of Iowa, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, and the Iowa Beef Industry Council is another example of the care the beef cattle industry has for our state, rural communities, and those in need.
“This worthy cause supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa is a celebration of our great cattle industry, and highlights how important this industry is to the state of Iowa,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds. “I want to thank everyone who helped us achieve another record-breaking total again this year of more than $568,000. This donation will be so impactful to the families served by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. I applaud the next generation of producers, our youth exhibitors, for their dedication and hard work, and their drive to help others in need.”
The Governor’s Charity Steer Show would not be possible without our sponsors, youth exhibitors and their families, celebrities, and buyers. Their impact through volunteering, donations, and dedication created another successful show and fundraising outcome. This year, more donations and support were collected in advance of the event than ever before.
We also had two exhibitors that exceeded the threshold of the most dollars raised throughout the event from donations and the sale of their steer. Baylen Brink raised $71,354 and Jacob Ringkob raised $58,211, which topped the previous record of $48,000.
Not only was Pioneer Pavilion packed for the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show, but more than 4,000 people watched online. This event has become an anticipated and loved Iowa State Fair tradition. It is no surprise, as it brings together what is great about our state.
Recognizing the Winners
The 42nd Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show was held on August 10 in Pioneer Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair. Winners in four categories were recognized in the show ring – Community Hero, Grand Champion Showman, People’s Choice, and Judge’s Grand Champion. This year’s event hosted 24 sponsored steers, shown by their youth exhibitor and a local celebrity.
The Community Hero Award recognizes the youth exhibitor who goes above and beyond collecting non-monetary donations and creating awareness for the event. This year’s winner of the Community Hero Award was Layne White from Blakesburg. Iowa. Layne collected 175 pounds of pop tabs and a lot of nonperishable items for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Layne was sponsored by the Davis County Beef Promoters and showed with celebrity, Mercedes Northup, who was on The Bachelor.
Our showmanship contest was judged by Brad and Drake Hook. Their focus was on the partnership between the celebrity, youth exhibitor, and the steer. While we had some excellent celebrity showmen in the ring, who had done their homework, Drake awarded Cheyenne Houk also from Blakesburg, Iowa, and her celebrity showman, Mark McCully, CEO of American Angus Association, as the Grand Champion Showman. Their steer was The Business and they were sponsored by the Monroe County Cattlemen and Supporters.
A fan favorite, the People’s Choice Award, gives the audience and team supporters a voice in the competition as they help select the winner of this event. This year Brad Hook helped judge this award and as he worked the ring, he had the crowd roaring for their favorites. In the end, it was two-time NCAA champion wrestler, David Carr, and his youth partner, Kate Totemeier from Columbus Junction, Iowa, along with her steer, ZZ, who took the award! David, Kate, and ZZ were sponsored by the District 20 Cattlemen’s Associations.
Finally, the most prestigious award of the show, the Judge’s Grand Champion, was selected. Ross Havens from Nichols Farms in Bridgewater, Iowa, had the hardest task of working through and judging the stellar lineup of steers and showmen. Whopper and his youth exhibitor, Emma Norman of Searsboro, Iowa, and celebrity showman Jeff Angelo, an iHeart and WHO Radio personality, received the honor. This team was sponsored by the Iowa Bankers Association.
Following the show, a live auction was conducted to raise funds through the sale of each steer and additional value-added items donated by industry supporters and celebrities. These funds were added to the donations received by each youth participant, resulting in the $568,000 donation going to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.
Thank you to Governor Kim Reynolds for her continued dedication to this event and for her partnership with Iowa beef cattle producers. This event is a rewarding and humbling experience for all who participate.
For a list of sponsors, youth exhibitors, steers, celebrities, donors/buyers, and funds raised by each, please look for that in your next issue of the Iowa Cattleman or on the Governor’s Charity Steer Show website once the magazine is released.
Enclosure: For images from the event, visit the ICA Flickr page.
About the Iowa Cattlemen's Association: The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association represents nearly 8,000 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.
About the Iowa Beef Industry Council: The Iowa Beef Industry Council is funded by the $1-per-head National Beef Checkoff Program and the $0.50-per-head Iowa State 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.