AMES, Iowa – Officials with Iowa’s cattle industry say the 43rd annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show continues to make an impact, raising $569,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. Including this year’s donations, the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer has surpassed $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. Those 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.

Officials say the event, hosted this past weekend 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. The 43rd Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show was held on August 9th in the Livestock 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 25 sponsored steers, shown by their youth exhibitor and a local celebrity.

The Community Hero Award – which recognizes the youth exhibitor who goes above and beyond collecting non-monetary donations and creating awareness for the event – was presented to Merritt Moss, of Hull. Merritt collected over three carloads of nonperishable items for the Ronald McDonald House Charities and had a phenomenal online presence to promote the Governor’s Charity Steer Show and Iowa’s cattle industry. Merritt was sponsored by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Siouxland.

The showmanship contest focused on the partnership between the celebrity presenter, the youth exhibitor, and the steer. The judges said it was not an easy decision, but in the end, Dr. Dan Grooms and Matt Elbert, along with “Trice,” the steer, took the title of Grand Champion Showman. A fan favorite, the People’s Choice Award went to Tucker Freimuth and Ralph Lents, the president of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. Their steer, “Burt Reynolds,” edged out the competition. Tucker, who is from Lytton, Iowa, and his team were sponsored by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. Finally, the most prestigious award of the show, the Judge’s Grand Champion award went to Brenna Thie from Mediapolis, Iowa, and her steer, “Jimmy,” along with celebrity presenter, Jeff Angelo.

A live auction was conducted after the show to raise funds through the sale of each steer and additional value-added items donated by industry supporters and celebrities. Those funds were added to the donations received by each youth participant, resulting in a $569,000 going to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.