NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2008
Contact: Brian Waddingham, Director of Industry Relations, (515) 296-2305.
Governor’s Charity Steer Show Raises $100,550.
Ames, Iowa – The 26th annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show raised $100,550 this year for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association sponsor the annual steer show and auction. Governor Chet Culver hosted the 2008 event that was held August 9, 2008 at the Iowa State Fair.
Since its inception in 1983, the Governor’s Charity Steer Show has raised $1,598,628 for charity. The sale capped an afternoon of activities which began when 24 steers paraded into the livestock pavilion led by Governor Culver and other celebrity showpersons competing for the title of “Judge’s Choice.”
The $100,550 raised through the auction will benefit the Ronald McDonald Houses of Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. All of the houses are located near hospitals and provide a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children.
The judge for this year’s show was Ed Greiman from Garner, Iowa. The judge selected the steer “O’Malley,” shown by Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, for overall grand champion honors. The Floyd County Cattlemen and Friends of Floyd County sponsored Northey’s steer. The Floyd County Coalition purchased the steer at the auction for $9,000. Josh Becker of Charles City owned the steer.
Wayne Wierson, A.B.A.T.E. Share the Road Coordinator, was selected by the crowd for the title of “People’s Choice.” Wierson’s steer, “Tabasco,” was sponsored by A.B.A.T.E. of Iowa and purchased by OSI Industries and Data Power Technologies for $3,000. Josh Vander Molen of Sully raised the steer.
Rachel Burton, Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa, earned the Showmanship Award. She was selected by special showmanship judge Jim Bradford of the Brad Z Ranch near Guthrie Center, Iowa. Burton’s steer, “O’Malley,” was sponsored by the Northwest Iowa Cattlemen’s Associations and was purchased by Cookies Food Products and West Side State Bank for $2,500. Adrianna Junck of Sioux City raised the steer.
“Big Mark,” a steer shown by Mark Pearson, earned reserve champion honors. The steer was sponsored by the Iowa Bankers Association and purchased by Agriprocessors of Postville for $6,000. James McCain of Malcom raised the steer.
Emcees for the show were farm broadcaster Bob Quinn, WHO Radio, and Mark Allen, WHO Radio. A special appearance from Ronald McDonald kept the show lively and delighted the crowd. The auctioneer for the sale was Phil Schooley from Bloomfield Livestock. Assisting
Schooley in catching bids were ringmen Mike Sorensen of Livestock Plus, Jason Lekin of Tama Livestock Auction, Tom Rooney of The Midwest Marketer and Ross Butler.
Young people from throughout Iowa raised the steers that competed for top honors in the Governor’s Charity Steer Show. Listed below are the steers and the 24 youth who raised them, along with the sponsors, showpersons and buyers, respectively.
Steer: Head of Steak.
Raised by: Haleigh Batterson, Pilot Mound.
Sponsor: Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.
Showperson: Governor Chet Culver.
Purchased by: Prairie Meadows Race Track & Casino for $5,000.00.
Steer: West Glen.
Raised by: Andrea Nelson, Mitchellville.
Sponsor: West Glen.
Showperson: Karen Hallagin, Chief Operating Officer, West Glen.
Purchased by: Friends of West Glen including 1st Interiors, Inc., Ace Construction, Andrews Farms, Confluence, Continental Fire Sprinkler Co., Cook Plumbing Corp., Dave Hamilton Company, Doors Inc., Gator Excavating, Grimes Asphalt & Paving Corp., Hansen Company, Jordison Construction, Nelson Farms, Pat & Janet Printy, Redstone Painting Co., Signs Plus, Simonson & Associates Architects, Tesdell Electric, Two Rivers Glass & Door, Tyler Excavating and Wright Outdoor Solutions for $8,500.00.
Steer: O’Malley.
Raised by: Adrianna Junck, Sioux City.
Sponsor: NW Iowa Cattlemen’s Associations including Cherokee, Crawford, Lyon, Monona, Plymouth, Sac, Sioux, and Woodbury.
Showperson: Rachel Burton, Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa.
Purchased by: Cookies Food Products and West Side State Bank for $2,500.00.
Steer: Sparky.
Raised by: Bradly Bish, Bloomfield.
Sponsor: Davis County Beef Promoters including Bloomfield Livestock Market, Bloomfield Family Ford, Davis County Success Bank, Troy Elevator, Keith’s Foods, Swaim Farms, American Welding & Tank, Farm Bureau, Kincart Physical Therapy, Lynch Law Office, Dave Hopkins, Crop Service, Hoskin’s Elevator, North Side Insurance, Davis County Hospital, Lough Crop Insurance, Davis County Tire, Overstreet-Pioneer, Fetcho Chiropractic, Titan Soil, Mikel’s Inc., Darin Westoff, Rancho Centinela.
Showperson: Katie Piper, KCCI TV.
Purchased by: Cookies Food Products and West Side State Bank for $3,000.00.
Steer: Triple Crown.
Raised by: Jessica Sutton, Slater.
Sponsor: Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino.
Showperson: Derron Heldt, Director of Racing, Prairie Meadows Race Track & Casino.
Purchased by: Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino for $4,750.00.
Steer: Baxter.
Raised by: Lane Judy, Fremont.
Sponsor: SE Iowa Caring Cattlemen including Wapello County Cattlemen, Greiner Implement, Quality Ag Service, Keoco Livestock Auction, Richland Vet Clinic, Auto Glass Center, Jefferson County Implement, Smith Feed & Grain, Troy Elevator, Quick Shop.
Showperson: Kevin Carstensen, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association President.
Purchased by: McDonald’s of Des Moines- Dick and Pat Mathson for $3,500.00.
Steer: Rocky.
Raised by: Nolan Ferguson, New Sharon.
Sponsor: Southern Iowa Merchants including Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel, Keoco Auction Company, McGriff's of New Sharon, Bates Funeral Chapel, H&S Feed & Country Store, Gatton Realty Inc., Ideal Ready Mix, Harden Funeral Home of New Sharon, Klyn's Tire Service, Farm Credit Services of America, Hawkeye Farm Management & Real Estate, Midwest One Bank.
Showperson: Stan Clement, CEO, Iowa Speedway.
Purchased by: McDonald’s of Iowa City and Williamsburg for $8,000.00.
Steer: Flex.
Raised by: Tori Tucker, Grand Junction.
Sponsor: Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.
Showperson: Shawn Sperfslage.
Purchased by: Iowa Farm Bureau, District 5-Boone, Dallas, Greene, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Story and Webster counties for $5,000.00.
Steer: MACC.
Raised by: Trey Schneider, Lacona.
Sponsor: Des Moines Area Community College.
Showperson: Rob Denson, President, DMACC.
Purchased by: James Oil Company and James Simmental for $2,250.00. DMACC donation of $500.00.
Steer: Thanks A Million.
Raised by: Lucas Bravard, Jefferson.
Sponsor: Volunteer Boards of Iowa Ronald McDonald Houses.
Showperson: Emily Lambert, Forbes Magazine.
Purchased by: McDonald’s Franchise Owners- Jim & Karen Baker and Christian & Gaby Eckstein for $3,500.00.
Steer: McLuvin.
Raised by: Melissa Kroksh, Akron.
Sponsor: McDonald’s of NW Iowa and Dr. Pepper.
Showperson: Kristie VerMulm, KTIV TV.
Purchased by: East Balt Bakery- Wayne Stanley for $2500.00.
Steer: Arch.
Raised by: Alyssa Johnson, Eagle Grove.
Sponsor: McDonald’s of Eastern Iowa.
Showperson: Aleigh Beahm, Miss Rodeo Iowa 2008.
Purchased by: Curran Cattle Company for $2,250.00.
Steer: Mac.
Raised by: Kris Alleman, Slater.
Sponsor: McDonald’s of Central Iowa.
Showperson: Dr. Maynard Hogberg, ISU Animal Science Department Chair.
Purchased by: Keokuk County Implement Co., Jim & Peg Eversmeyer, Clarahan Hog Buying, Clarahan Farms, Dennis & Sheryl Clarahan for $2,250.00
Steer: Big Mark.
Raised by: James McCain, Malcom.
Sponsor: Iowa Bankers Association.
Showperson: Mark Pearson, WHO Radio- The Big Show.
Purchased by: Agriprocessors of Postville for $6,000.00.
Steer: Tabasco.
Raised by: Josh Vander Molen, Sully.
Sponsor: A.B.A.T.E. of Iowa.
Showperson: Wayne Wierson, A.B.A.T.E. Share the Road Coordinator.
Purchased by: OSI Industries and Data Power Technology for $3,000.00.
Steer: Mac Daddy.
Raised by: Jordan Vander Molen, Sully.
Sponsor: Vander Molen Friends and Supporters including EBY Trailers, Big River Resources, Synergy, Rocking S Trailers, Goalsetter Systems, Harthoorn Seed, Kruseman Implement, Vermeer Manufacturing, Ulrich Motor Company, Sully Transport.
Showperson: Jordan Benson, Miss Iowa Speedway.
Purchased by: McDonald’s of Iowa City and Williamsburg for $6,000.00
Steer: O’Malley.
Raised by: Josh Becker, Charles City.
Sponsor: Floyd County Cattlemen and Friends of Floyd County including Vera Sun of Charles City, Land O’ Lakes Feed, Sam Soifer, Quality Liquid Feeds, Dight Trucking, M & B Cattle Company, Special Medical Services, Cambrex, Feller and Associates, Slinger Chiropractic, Merle and Merna Schrage, Kyle and Mary Rice and Dean Grober.
Showperson: Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.
Purchased by: The Floyd County Coalition including Sam Soifer- In memory of Barbara Soifer, Stewart Realty Company, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Dale Siems, First Citizens National Bank, First Security Bank and Trust, Swartzrock Implement Company Inc., Brian and Pat Crane, Mark Nixt, Reiman Cattle Company and Travis Thomas for $9,000.00.
Steer: Doc Holiday.
Raised by: Mike Pilcher, Blakesburg.
Sponsor: Sparling Recycling and local support including Crop Production Services, Dekels
Steakhouse, Douds Stone, Henderson Auto Works, Wapello County Sand, Jim Robertson,
D & T Express and J.B. Marlins Welding and Tires.
Showperson: Edwin Brand, KMGO Radio.
Purchased by: Curran Cattle Company for $2,000.00.
Steer: Panda.
Raised by: Brittaney Baker, Grinnell.
Sponsor: Poweshiek and Jasper County Beef Supporters including Searsboro Telephone Company, Indian Hills Community College, Iowa Telecom, Dave Kaisand Family, Theisen’s, Caseys, Kent Feeds, SCE, Grinnell Vet Clinic, Ozinga Feed, Cheryl & Storm Seymour Family, Kruesman Implement, Heishman Ag, Medicap, Schmidt Lumber, Northside Vet Clinic, American Family Insurance, Community 1st Credit Union, George/Jacklyn Shenold.
Showperson: Jeriann Ritter, WHO TV.
Purchased by: Tama Livestock Auction for $2,600.00.
Steer: Vec Tran.
Raised by: Brandon Reck, Blakesburg.
Sponsor: Midwest Seed Genetics.
Showperson: Mitch Beeler, Iowa Army National Guard.
Purchased by: James Oil Company and James Simmental Farm for $2,750.00
Steer: Red Fred.
Raised by: Chris Rich, Vinton.
Sponsor: Benton County Cattlemen, Koopman Hay & Forage-Dennis & LuElla, Interstate Grain, Lillibridge Trucking, Jim & Gina Krug, Waterloo Implement, Kaiser Ag, US Bank-Vinton, Randy Steffan Trucking, Ron-Da-Voo, Paul & Jodie Bierschenk & Family, Ron Buch, Eden Mutual Insurance, Newhall Locker, Security Bank, Duane Johnson, Bob Hanson, Bryon & Kelly Geater, Bank of Iowa- Independence & Norway, Blairstown Community Supporters, Rich Red Angus.
Showperson: Ken Root, WHO Radio-The Big Show
Purchased by: Benton County Supporters including Bank of Iowa-Independence and Norway, Benton County Cattlemen, Blairstown Community Support, Bryon & Kelly Geater, Dennis & LuElla Koopman, Duane Johnson, Eden Mutual Insurance, K&J Squires Farms, Kaiser Ag, Newhall Locker-Dave Sutton, Paul & Jodi Bierschenk & family, Pioneer- Bob Hanson, Randy Steffan Trucking, Rich Red Angus, Ron Buch-Supervisor, Ron-Da-Voo, Security Bank-Dave Crees, US Bank and Waterloo Implement for $7,000.00.
Steer: Oreo.
Raised by: Kysa Roberts, Charter Oak.
Sponsor: Amaizing Energy and local support including Midwest Seed Genetics, Horizon Equipment, Denison Livestock, Sullivan Supply, Hoffman Agency, Norman Klinker family, Twin Valley Vet, Bonsali TV and Appliance, Adams Motors Division, Pryor Show Cattle, RAM Trucking, Betty & Barney Murphy, Doral Feedlots-Alex Doral, Cogdill Farm Supply, Rickey Show Cattle, Crawford County Corral-Colby Meseck, Denison Auto-Russell Maack, Crawford County Cattlemen and Jepsen Show Cattle.
Showperson: Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge.
Purchased by: Amaizing Energy for $4,500.00.
Steer: Buck Cherry.
Raised by: Makenzie Zeitler, Douds.
Sponsor: Bloomfield Livestock & Van Buren County Support including Libertyville Savings, Bank, UAP-Jerry Partridge, Coley Cattle Company, A&K Feeds-Kriss & Ann Skaggs, Fordyce Cattle Co., Dale & Kim Hornberg.
Showperson: Marshall Ruble, ISU Beef Teaching Farm.
Purchased by: BSA Auto Sales, Inc. for $2,100.00.
Steer: Big Show.
Raised by: Madisyn Jorgensen, Guthrie Center.
Sponsor: Guthrie County State Bank.
Showperson: Metinka Slater, KCCI TV.
Purchased by: Kovar Brothers Chopping, Kovar Farms and Niemeyer Electric for $2,300.00.
Photos available upon request, contact the Iowa Beef Industry Council at beef@iabeef.org.
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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the Iowa Beef Industry Council is funded by the $1-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.