Each year the Iowa Governor holds a steer show. The 44th annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show will continue to make an impact in 2026 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.
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 many foreign countries. Ronald McDonald House acts as a ‘home away from home’ for the families of patients providing comfort, meals, and comradery. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa.
Twenty five districts from across Iowa select an exhibitor and a celebrity to represent their steer during the show. These participants help sponsors raise money, collect non-perishable items, and raise awareness about this event on social media.
Our exhibitor this year for District 20, is Sawyer Gearing. Sawyer is going into his senior year this fall at Cardinal High School. He plays football, wrestles, and is active in 4-H and FFA. He is also the owner of Alfred, full name Alfredo, an all white short horn plus steer out of the first cow he ever bought. Originally Sawyer planned on showing Alfredo himself but after being given the opportunity to be a part of the Governor’s Steer Show, he chose to give back in a big way.
The celebrity set to show Alfred in the ring at the Governor’s Steer Show is Gabe Arnold. Sawyer shared with us why he chose Gabe.
“He was in Division One All-American for the Hawks this year at 197 pounds. And I thought, I’ve been, I’ve wrestled my whole life and always supported Iowa wrestling, always went there and had season tickets since I was super little. And I decided that when I got this opportunity, why not have an Iowa wrestler show it?”
We are told Gabe Arnold may not have much experience showing cattle, but Sawyer has some tips for all exhibitors.
“Keep their head up, make them look good, keep their head up, keep them moving. Once you get them set up, stand there and make them look pretty.”
Leading up to the Steer Show on August 15th, Sawyer, Van Buren County Cattlemen, and all Cattlemen groups in our district will be raising funds to support the Ronald McDonald House.
“My goal is throughout all the counties, I want to try to have 50,000.”
To donate, reach out to your local Cattlemen Chapter. Our Henry County Cattlemen chapter can be reached through their Facebook Page, donations can also be dropped off at the Radio Station, 2411 Radio Drive Mount Pleasant, IA 52641.
The sponsors, exhibitors, and celebrities compete during the show for the Overall Champion Steer, People’s Choice, Showmanship, and Community Hero Awards.
Once the show is completed, the auction begins. Through the auction of the steers, money is raised from the generosity of steer buyers, representatives of each steer, and countless donors from across the state. Since its inception in 1983, the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer show has surpassed $6 million in donations, raising $569,000 last year.
Find Sawyer’s full interview here:
Bringing you Van Buren County Fair coverage is the Bonaparte Retreat, C.W. Tree Trimming, Fraise Auction, Graber Services, H&R Block, And the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Van Buren County Office.