DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)--Tyler Hartgers' 1,305-pound crossbred steer beat out 227 other entries to become the Iowa State Fair's 4-H Grand Champion Market Steer, a title that could be worth more than $30,000.

Last year's champion sold for $31,500, up $500 from the previous year, according to fair records.

Just two years ago, Hartgers, 18, of Montezuma, was disqualified when traces of an illegal growth enhancer were detected in a test of his steer's urine.

Hartgers said it was a mistake, that the steer had eaten feed intended for his pigs. He was supposed to be banned from competition for two years, but in February 2004, fair officials reduced all bans from two years to one year.

"The ban was lifted and he was eligible to compete today," said Lori Chappell, fair spokeswoman said Aug. 17.

It wasn't the contest's first brush with scandal.

The 2002 Grand Champion, a 1,295-pound crossbred named Pickles, was disqualified after a nose print taken of the animal after the competition failed to match one taken before the fair.

Pickles' owner, Jenna Sievers, then 16, was accused of switching animals between the Dec. 1, 2001, weigh-in and the August 2002 fair. She and her parents fought the disqualification in court until December 2004.

The $16,000 that Pickles brought at the Sale of Champions was used entirely for 4-H scholarships. Typically, the youth raising the animal gets to keep 80 percent.

As a result of that case, fair officials now use not only nose prints, but also DNA samples.

"Our number one goal is to have a fair playing field," said Bruce Jones, 4-H beef superintendent.

Hartgers' return to the contest ring Aug. 17 was an achievement in itself.

Three months ago, while riding an all-terrain vehicle, he was struck by a semi. Among his injuries: five broken ribs, a broken hip and pelvis.

Doctors said he was lucky to live, but there was no way he would be able to show his steer at the Iowa State Fair.

"We're going to send those doctors a picture," Tyler's mother, Vicky Hartgers said.

Hartgers stood with his unnamed steer in the ring for the finals, as the judge, Chris Skaggs, slowly paced up and down the line.

The audience was silent as Skaggs studied each of the 12 finalists carefully, feeling their bodies for the right mix of fat and muscle.

As the judge walked over to Hartgers and tapped his steer, the audience burst into applause.

Hartgers beamed as he walked his steer to the winner's circle. His mother met him, hugged him and cried.

"We are blessed," his mother said.

But before the winning steer's photo could be taken, officials had to take something else--a urine sample.

Jones said results won't be known right away since the tests are processed out of state.

The steer will be auctioned off Aug. 20.

Date: 8/24/05