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Governor's Charity Steer Show raises over $1 million in it's 25By Jennifer Bremer The temperature was hot in the Iowa State Fair Pioneer Livestock Pavilion and the bidding was hot in the sale ring following the 25th annual Governor's Charity Steer Show on Aug. 11. Nearly $116,625 was raised for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa - a home away from home for families of seriously ill children being treated in area hospitals. "This show was a brainstorm of staff of the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen's Association 25 years ago and they joined forces with former Governor Terry Branstad and organized the first Governor's Charity Steer Show," said Kevin Carstensen, president of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association. At the Governor's request, the designated charity for the first-time even was the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa. This charity has been the recipient of more than $1.3 million over the past 25 years for the Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City facilities. The first event had approximately 20 celebrities involved in the show ring competition. This year's participants included newly elected Gov. Chet Culver and 25 other celebrities from across the state of Iowa. "This show is a great tradition and supports two important causes - children and high quality Iowa food products," said Culver. Brad Skaar, professor of animal science at Iowa State University, served as the official show judge at the event. "The magnitude of this event is unbelievable and the amount of growth it has seen through the years says a lot for the program," he said. Skaar has been impressed with how the show has continued through the years supporting a great cause in the Ronald McDonald Houses, supporting the beef industry and it's importance in Iowa, and also supporting the agriculture youth in the state of Iowa who are the future of the industry. Each of the celebrity showmen was assisted by the 4-H youth who had raised and shown the steers at prior fairs. The judge's choice for the show was "Kool Wave Too," shown by Sandy Hatfield Clubb, the athletic director at Drake University. The steer was owned by Devon Fraker, of Brooklyn, Iowa. The crowd awarded the people's choice award to Miss Rodeo Iowa 2007, Amanda Eason. The steer, "Chopper," was sponsored by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and was owned by Kelsey Ford, of Milo, Iowa. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation has been a sponsor of the event for the entire 25 years. Iowa State University Athletic Director Jamie Pollard earned the showmanship award. Former Governor Branstad served as the showmanship judge. Pollard showed "Frank the Tank," who was owned by Tyler Krug, of New Hall, Iowa. Besides all the excitement from the show, Iowa State Fair manager and CEO, Gary Slater, announced that a donation had been received and the state fair board had voted to use the funds to add air conditioning to the Pioneer Pavilion, an announcement that was exciting to participants and spectators at the show. Jennifer Bremer can be reached by phone at 641-938-2342 or by e-mail at jbremermaj@hotmail.com.
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