AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State Fair is quickly approaching and the anticipation of the annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show is building. The Iowa beef cattle industry is again partnering with the governor in this fundraising event to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. Hundreds of fairgoers will attend the August 9 event, featuring youth, industry supporters, local celebrities, and of course, steers. Each steer is exhibited by a local youth representative and a guest celebrity selected by the sponsor of the steer. Twenty-five steers will be shown this year. Along with Gov. Kim Reynolds, there are other notable celebrities showing this year, ranging from industry favorites to college athletes. (See the complete list below).

Among the celebrities participating in the event, is Iowa Lt. Governor Chris Gearthart-Cournoyer). She will be showing the steer “Mickey,” exhibited by Kennedy Eischeid, of Manning. “Mickey” is sponsored by the Crawford County Cattlemen and Nor-AM Cold Storage.   The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is sponsored by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) and the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC).

The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show has been held since 1983 and has raised nearly $6 million for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa since the show’s inception. Last year, the show raised more than $568,000, the fourth year in a row that the fundraising record has been broken. Funds are raised through online donations, sponsorships, and an auction of steers following the show. 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 62 foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa, too.

If you are interested in supporting the Governor’s Charity Steer Show, consider donating online or attending the show/auction to contribute. The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is being held in Pioneer Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, August 9, at 4:30 p.m. Then follow us to the Penningroth Center for the live auction, where additional funds are raised and records are broken. For additional information about the Governor’s Charity Steer Show or to donate, visit www.iowagovernorscharitysteershow.com.

2025 Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show Participants:

1. Sponsors: Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association

Celebrity: Governor Kim Reynolds

Exhibitor: Addison Brueggeman | Lake Park, IA

Steer: Scottie​

2. Sponsors: Crawford County Cattlemen and Nor-AM Cold Storage

    Celebrity: Lt. Governor Chris Gearhart Cournoyer

    Exhibitor: Kennedy Eischeid | Manning, IA

    Steer: Mickey​​​

3. Sponsor: Davis County Beef Promoters

Celebrity: Jon Nash, Executive Vice President, Cargill Food

Exhibitor: Ty Swaim | Drakesville, IA

Steer: Judge

​​4. Sponsors: Mahaska County Cattlemen & Friends

Celebrity: Buck Wehrbein, President, NCBA

Exhibitor: McLane Warren | New Sharon, IA

Steer: Merlin

​​​​5. Sponsors: Iowa Farm Bureau

Celebrity: Brian Feldpausch, Vice President, Iowa Farm Bureau

Exhibitor: Lucas Sheehan | Remsen, IA

Steer: Rocky

​​​6. Sponsor: Dee Zee, Inc. (The Quality Truck Accessory People)

Celebrity: Curtis D. Claeys, Iowa State Fair Board, President

Exhibitor: Evan Huberty | Mitchellville, IA

Steer: Furgy

​​​7. Sponsor: Iowa Bankers Association

Celebrity: Jeff Angelo, Host of the WHO Radio Morning Show

Exhibitor: Brenna Thie | Mediapolis, IA

Steer: ​Jimmy

​8. Sponsors: Volunteer Boards of Iowa Ronald McDonald House Charities

Celebrity: To be announced

Exhibitor: Chandler Ludwig | Elma, IA

Steer: Snoop Dog

​​9. Sponsors: Eastern Iowa Ronald McDonald House and Quad Cities McDonald’s

Celebrity: Matt Kroul, Former University of Iowa and NY Jets Football Player, Current Farmer and Owner at Kroul Farms

Exhibitor: Tyler Lukavsky | Washington, IA

Steer: Thunder

​​10. Sponsors: Central Iowa Ronald McDonald Houses and Des Moines Area Independent Owner Operators

Celebrity: Jackie Schmillen, Director of Public Affairs of the Iowa National Guard and

overall Hype Person for all great things happening in Central Iowa

Exhibitor: Asher Henson | Martensdale, IA

Steer: Colt

​11. Sponsors: Siouxland Ronald McDonald House and Siouxland Area McDonald’s Operators

Celebrity: Dan Venteicher, Iowa Dairy Farmer

Exhibitor: Merritt Moss | Hull, IA

Steer: Big Red

​​12. Sponsor: Friends of Floyd County

Celebrity: Nick Fox, UNI Wrestler

Exhibitor: Chet Brunner | Rockford, IA

Steer: Clifford

​​13. Sponsor: Monroe County Cattlemen & Supporters

Celebrity: Tork Whistler, BarnTalk Podcast Host

Exhibitor: Ty Haywood | Albia, IA

Steer: This’ll Do

14. Sponsor: Iowa County Beef Supporters

Celebrity: Casey Manser, Iowa SIDS Foundation Executive Director

Exhibitor: Elery Hinrichsen | Williamsburg, IA

Steer: Mack​

​15. Sponsors: Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust and Friends of Franklin County Cattlemen

Celebrity: JayJay Goodvin, Chief Explorer of the Iowa Gallivant

Exhibitor: Tate Lundt | Rockwell, IA

Steer: Pablo

​16. Sponsor: Iowa Junior Hereford Association

Celebrity: Brenna Bird, Iowa Attorney General

Exhibitor: Logan Keppler | Indianola, IA

Steer: ​Buddy

​17. Sponsors: Benton County Cattlemen and Local Supporters

Celebrity: Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

Exhibitor: Jack Wayson | Mount Auburn, IA

Steer: Bond “007”

​​​18. Sponsor: Iowa Corn Promotion Board

Celebrity: Ralph Lents, Iowa Corn Promotion Board President

Exhibitor: Tucker Freimuth | Lytton, IA

Steer: Burt Reynolds

​19. Sponsor: Johnson County Cattlemen & Reeve Farms

Celebrity: Jess Settles, Iowa Hawkeye Basketball Great, Basketball TV Analyst, Farmer

Exhibitor: Reece Meyer | Solon, IA

Steer: Whiskey​

​20. Sponsors: Jackson County Cattlemen and Friends of Jackson County

Celebrity: Jason Brantley, VP of Production Systems, John Deere

Exhibitor: Anna Cota | Bellevue, IA

Steer: Prince

​​21. Sponsors: Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and ISU College of Veterinary Medicine

Celebrity: Dr. Dan Grooms, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association &

ISU College of Veterinary Medicine

Exhibitor: Matt Elbert | Rock Rapids, IA

Steer: Trice​

​22. Sponsor: District 20 Cattlemen’s Associations

Celebrity: Dr. Gene W. Hoy, Former Head Vet of the Iowa State Fair

Animal Learning Center & area vet

Exhibitor: Hailey Pedrick | Ollie, IA

Steer: All On Red

​23. Sponsor: Iowa Premium, A National Beef Company

Celebrity: To be determined

Exhibitor: Bryce Schwenneker | Adel, IA

Steer: Dale

​​24. Sponsor: ServiTech, Inc.

Celebrity: Ryan Hassebrook, ServiTech President & CEO

Exhibitor: Henry McCollom | Colo, IA

Steer: Joe

25. Sponsor: Iowa Angus Association

Celebrity: Mark McCully, CEO American Angus Association

Exhibitor: Isabella Gotto | Dyersville, IA

Steer: Duke