Despite months of uncertainty, the Iowa cattle industry and supporters came together on August 15 for the 38th annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show. This year’s event raised over $254,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.
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 this spring when Mike faced an extreme health challenge related to his epilepsy.
Showmanship Grand Champion Mike McDonough of Oelwein, showed a steer raised by Ethan Thimmes from Mechanicsville.
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.
AgriTalk host Chip Flory participated in this year’s event as the celebrity with exhibitor Reeve Wagner, Hampton, IA. The steer, Marbles Buyer, was sponsored by Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust, and bought $27,000 for the Ronald McDonald’s House Charities.
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 Tom Rooney of The Midwest Marketer; Mike Sorensen and Austin Brandt 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, Malisa Smith, Adam & Cari Gregg
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: $17,500
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: $9,219.60
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: $9,666.40
9. Sponsor: McDonald’s Restaurants of Iowa
Celebrity: Reynolds Cramer, Fareway CEO Exhibitor: Chase Anderson, Boone
Steer: Finn Buyer: Fareway Stores for $10,000; Hy-Vee for $5,500; additional support from Syngenta, Bayer Crop Science, Purple Bound Show Feeds, Jim & Linda Anderson, People’s Bank, Farm Credit, family and friends of Tim & Stacie Anderson
Total: $18,266.40
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 Buff
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, additional support from Monroe County Cattlemen, Tracy and Renee Howell and Joplin Regional Stockyards
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: $12,500
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
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: $9,000
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: $9,700.00
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: $6,581.20
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
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: $4,008.40
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
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