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 10 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-four steers will be shown this year. Along with Gov. Kim Reynolds, we have other notable celebrities showing this year ranging from industry favorites to college. The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is sponsored by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) and the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC).

Exhibitors from western Iowa include Claire Pellett from Atlantic, and her steer “Magic.” They are sponsored by the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and ISU College of Veterinary Medicine. The animal will be shown by Celebrity hosts Dr. Dan Grooms & Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard, Dean of Veterinary Medicine at ISU. And, Ryan Brenner of Mapleton, and his steer “McEars” will appear during the event. They are sponsored by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. The animal will be shown by celebrity host Stan Nelson, ICPB President.

“The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show showcases the good that can be done by one industry when producers, industry supporters, and community namesakes collaborate,” said Jenna Smith, ICA member services and Governor’s Charity Steer Show co-chair. “The cattle industry is full of people that care and it is an honor to work with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, who provide a crucial service to families in need.”

The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show has been held since 1983 and has raised over $5.1 million for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa since the show’s inception. Last year the show raised more than $500,000, the third 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 10 at 4:30 p.m. For additional information about the Governor’s Charity Steer Show or to donate, visit www.iowagovernorscharitysteershow.com.

2024 Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show Participants

1. Sponsor: Iowa Beef Industry Council & Iowa Cattlemen’s Association
   Celebrity: Kim Reynolds
   Exhibitor: Alexa Fitzgerald | Tipton, IA
   Steer:Ritz
2. Sponsor: Crawford County Cattlemen and Nor-AM Cold Storage
   Celebrity: Gov. Adam Gregg
   Exhibitor:Calli Korner | Schleswig, IA
   Steer: Smokey Bear

3. Sponsor: Davis County Beef Promoters
   Celebrity:Mercedes Northup, TV Personality
   Exhibitor: Layne White | Blakesburg, IA
   Steer: Budder

4. Sponsor: Mahaska County Cattlemen & Friends
   Celebrity:Mike Eisele, President, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
   Exhibitor: Baylen Brink | Oskaloosa, IA
   Steer: Rocco

5. Sponsor: Iowa Farm Bureau
   Celebrity:Brent Johnson, President, Iowa Farm Bureau
   Exhibitor: Lilly McClure | Dallas Center, IA
   Steer: Buddy

6. Sponsor: Dee Zee, Inc. (The Quality Truck Accessory People)
   Celebrity:Megan Hindman, Clinical Assistant Professor at ISU College of Vet Med and Iowa State Fair Vet
   Exhibitor: Blayne Beaty | Russell, IA
   Steer: Jimmy

7. Sponsor: Iowa Bankers Association
   Celebrity:Jeff Angelo, iHeart Radio Personality/WHO Radio
   Exhibitor: Emma Norman | Searsboro, IA
   Steer: Whopper

9. Sponsor: Volunteer Boards of Iowa Ronald McDonald House Charities
   Celebrity:Kale & Falisha Nelson, Family utilized the Siouxland House
   Exhibitor: Lily Schulenberg | Aurelia, IA
   Steer: Ned
10. Sponsor: Eastern Iowa Ronald McDonald House and Quad Cities McDonald’s
    Celebrity:Cole The CornStar from CornStar Farms, YouTube & Social Media Influencer
    Exhibitor: Izzie Birker | Garrison, IA
    Steer: Sir-Loin
11. Sponsor: Central Iowa Ronald McDonald Houses and Des Moines Area Independent Owner Operators
    Celebrity:David Robers, Owner J&D Restaurants, DBA McDonald’s
    Exhibitor: Kaylynn Murty | Tama, IA
    Steer: Mulligan

11. Sponsor: Siouxland Ronald McDonald House and Siouxland Area McDonald’s Operators
    Celebrity:Colin Newell, Former Iowa State University Lineman & Current Farm Bureau Representative
    Exhibitor: Jacob Ringkob | Moville, IA
    Steer: McMister

17. Sponsor: Friends of Floyd County
    Celebrity: Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
    Exhibitor: Brennan Ruzicka | Marble Rock, IA
    Steer: Peaches
18. Sponsor: Monroe County Cattlemen & Supporters
    Celebrity: Mark McCully, CEO, American Angus Association
    Exhibitor: Cheyenne Houk | Blakesburg, IA
    Steer: The Business
19. Sponsor: Iowa County Beef Supporters
    Celebrity:Dawn Driscoll, Iowa State Senator
    Exhibitor: Georgia Klingner | Williamsburg, IA
    Steer: DJ Boots
20. Sponsor: Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust and Friends of Franklin County Cattlemen
    Celebrity:Chip Flory, Host of AgriTalk
    Exhibitor: Lucy Wibholm | Dows, IA
    Steer: Ronnie
21. Sponsor: Iowa Junior Hereford Association
    Celebrity:Audi Crooks, All Big 12 Center for Iowa State University Women’s Basketball
    Exhibitor: Lainey Harre | Gilman, IA
    Steer: Hilton Storm
22. Sponsor: Benton County Cattlemen and Local Supporters
    Celebrity: Tim O’Connell, 3X World Champion Bareback Rider
    Exhibitor:Reagan Burmeister | Rowley, IA
    Steer: French Fry

18. Sponsor: Iowa Corn Promotion Board
    Celebrity:Stan Nelson, Iowa Corn Promotion Board President
    Exhibitor: Ryan Brenner | Mapleton, IA
    Steer: McEars

19. Sponsor: Johnson County Cattlemen and Reeve Farms
    Celebrity: Levi Paulsen, Former University of Iowa Lineman
    Exhibitor:Olivia Allen | Tiffin, IA
    Steer: Willy

20. Sponsor: Jackson County Cattlemen and Friends of Jackson County
    Celebrity: Brenna Bird, Iowa Attorney General
    Exhibitor: Addysen Felderman | Bellevue, IA
    Steer:Maverick

22. Sponsor: Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and ISU College of Veterinary Medicine
    Celebrity: Dan Grooms, Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University
    Exhibitor:Claire Pellett | Atlantic, IA
    Steer: Magic
23. Sponsor: District 20 Cattlemen’s Associations
    Celebrity: David Carr, 2X NCAA Champion Wrestler and Associate Director of the Cardinal & Gold Collective
    Exhibitor:Kate Totemeier | Columbus Junction, IA
    Steer: ZZ

23. Sponsor: Iowa Premium, A National Beef Company
    Celebrity: Tom Gavin, Father of Brogan Gavin
    Exhibitor:Brogan Gavin | Lansing, IA
    Steer: Johny 

24. Sponsor: ServiTech, Inc.
    Celebrity:Ryan Hassebrook, ServiTech President & CEO
    Exhibitor: Addy Schaa | Kamrar, IA
    Steer: Cooper

(Radio Iowa) – D-N-R Hydrologist Tim Hall says it looks like July will end up slightly wetter than normal once the final numbers are in. He says it continues the string of normal or above normal months that has pulled Iowa out of the drought. “The challenge that we’ve seen in the most recent month is although the rainfall is about average a lot of it came in the last week or ten days of the month,” he says. “And anytime you get a month’s worth of rain in a couple of weeks period of time it can be very, very challenging.” The latest map from the National Drought Monitor shows a clear map with no drought areas. Hall says while the colors indicating drought areas quickly washed off the map, the process was slow and steady. “While we’ve had a pretty rapid turnaround in drought conditions, this trend toward wetter weather and sort of giving us our side of the drought started almost ten months ago in October of last year,” Hall says.

Hall says water flows are back to normal on most waterways. “Last year there was a record number of irrigation permits that were in danger of being cut off because of low flow. If the stream flows too low, we don’t allow irrigators to withdraw water to irrigate under their permits. This year, no irrigation permits are even under any pressure,” he says. The drought had cities putting water use restrictions in place and Osceola has been looking at a plan to recycle wastewater. Hall says we’d be wise to not stop thinking about water use plans. “We would caution and advise any utility that’s sometimes struggling with water supply to think about where they were a year ago and keep working on some proactive solutions,” Hall says, “because droughts gonna come back. Maybe not this year, maybe not next year, maybe not for several years.”

He says the drought will come back sometime and it’s best to be prepared and take steps that can help minimize the impact when it does.

KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Swimming is not recommended at Lake Red Rock’s North Overlook Beach due to elevated levels of bacteria. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works with Iowa State University to test the water weekly. They say the “swimming not recommended” signs will stay up until testing shows lower bacteria counts. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports there are currently 13 state beaches that also have dangerously high bacteria count.

Swimming is not recommended at the following state beaches:

• Backbone Lake Beach
• Beeds Lake Beach
• Blue Lake Beach
• Denison Beach
• Emerson Bay Beach
• George Wyth Beach
• Lake Ahquabi Beach
• Lake Darling Beach
• Lake of Three Fires Beach (Bedford)
  
• Nine Eagles Beach
• Pleasant Creek Beach
• Rock Creek Beach
• Union Grove Beach

(Radio Iowa) – A southern Iowa man has grown a piece of fruit that’s destined to set a world record. A state official has verified that Dave Bennett of Davis County grew an eggplant that weighs eight-point-33 pounds.  “I’ve been growing eggplants for probably five years now,” Bennett says. “Two years ago I set the state record at 5.6 pounds.” Bennett picked up the hobby from his second cousin, a past winner of the Big Pumpkin competition at the Iowa State Fair.

After growing pumpkins and watermelons, Bennett got intrigued with the purple fruit after meeting a Minnesotan who’d grown a four pound eggplant — and the rest will be history. Bennett has been assured by a representative of Guinness World Records that his paperwork is in order. “Eventually I will have a plaque that says I grew the world’s largest eggplant,” Bennett says. Right now, the world’s largest eggplant is in Bennett’s refrigerator, in hopes of entering it in the Iowa State Fair.

“I’m going to see what it looks like next week and I might arrangements about bringing it up. I don’t know yet,” Bennett said. “It might start wrinkling up and spoiling, I don’t know.” An inspector with the Iowa Department of Agriculture’s Weights and Measures Bureau went to Davis County to weigh the eggplant this week. Bennett used greenhouse grade fabric to create a shade over the plant during its final days outside before it was measured.

Dave Bennett with his 8.33 eggplant. (Photo courtesy of Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and Land Stewardship)

Bennett says you start the growing season by planting “giant variety” seeds, then trim down the vine so it’s supporting just one eggplant. “You just keep fertilizing and stuff like that and hope for the best,” he says.

Eggplant is often treated like a vegetable on the dinner table, but it’s actually a berry, so it’s a fruit. Bennett has never eaten eggplant and ordered it at a restaurant recently, but had to pay his bill and leave to make it to a concert before the dish was served.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI/Iowa State Fair]— The Iowa State Fair’s list of Iowans of the Day was released, today (Thursday). The Iowan of the Day program was created by the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation in 1997 to honor outstanding Iowans who have made a difference all across the state, according to a news release from the foundation.

Winners, selected by a committee after a nomination process, are awarded a day of recognition at the Iowa State Fair. Each day at noon on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage they will be recognized and presented as an Iowan of the Day. They also receive four State Fair admission tickets, four Grandstand concert tickets, use of a golf cart, VIP parking, accommodations at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown and $200 cash.

Two western Iowa residents are among those who will be recognized:

Saturday, Aug. 10: Roxanne Cogil of Jamaica

Roxanne’s volunteer work spans far and wide, positively impacting those around her. She is an active member of several community organizations, including the Yale Community Club, where she participates in organizing meals, fundraisers, the 4th of July Celebration, and the Steak Supper. Roxanne also contributes to the Jamaica Lions Club, where she has been fundraising for a bike repair station on the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Roxanne also serves on the County Council, supports Habitat for Humanity, and serves as a National Weather Service Weather Spotter for Guthrie County.

Additionally, Roxanne is a large supporter of community youth and youth in agriculture, volunteering with the Guthrie County Fair, serving as the Vice President of the Panorama FFA Alumni Chapter, leading local 4-H groups, and assisting her local Boy Scouts troop. At Calvary Chapel, she is a youth group leader and participates in various service projects, mission trips, and the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes initiative. She also volunteers at Panorama High School events, including prom and the concessions stand.

Furthermore, Roxanne is an advocate for those with disabilities as she serves as the Executive Director of Regional Teams for the Epilepsy Foundation and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa, and the Department of Human Services Case Management Advisory Board. Previously, Roxanne served as the President of the Autism Society of Iowa Board of Directors and organized an Autism Awareness team for RAGBRAI.

Monday, Aug. 12: John Klein of Treynor

John sees a need in his community, develops a solution, and makes it a reality. His dedication is particularly evident in his efforts with the youth through the Treynor Optimist Club and other community organizations.

He has written grants for numerous community projects, including a new playground for East City Park. John also organized swim lesson sign-ups and provided round-trip bus transportation from Treynor to Council Bluffs, making this essential skill more accessible to local families. He supports the Treynor Community Can Kennel, which benefits various youth groups and has raised over $246,000 to date. John also created the Mulch Madness event on Arbor Day, where 5th graders and volunteers plant new trees and mulch existing ones on the school campus and in city parks. Furthermore, he contributes to the Watch DOGS mentoring program and volunteers for the Cardinal Combine youth football activities.

Beyond his work with the youth, John is active in various community initiatives. He has helped organize City Block Parties, a thank-you banquet for Treynor Fire and Rescue Volunteers, and the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department. He also established a community volunteer organization called Cardinal Core.

Other honorees include:

Thursday, Aug. 8: Marilyn Sokol, of Belle Plaine

Friday, Aug. 9: Pat Burch, of Norwalk

Sunday, Aug. 11: Nelson Klavitter, of Dubuque

Tuesday, Aug. 13: Crystal James, of Ottumwa

Wednesday, Aug. 14: Tate Giesemann, of Bellevue

Thursday, Aug. 15: Rodd Holtkamp, of Primghar

Friday, Aug. 16: Elaine Graham Estes, of Des Moines

Saturday, Aug. 17: Kendall Pals, of Algona.

(Radio Iowa) – A dairy specialist with I-S-U Extension says the number of dairy entries at county fairs has been down in areas of northwest Iowa due to bird flu outbreaks. Fred Hall says entries in Sioux County, for example, fell 30 percent.  “Absolutely, it’s a concern. Probably the biggest reason is it can go from a bird to a cow to a human. Now, fortunately, cows get sick, and they go off production, but they don’t die. You don’t have to euthanize them,” he says. Every competitor must show proof of a negative test to allow their cow in.  “If they’re coming from a premise where there are lactating cows, has to have a bulk tank test and has to then have a sick pin test, and they all have to be negative,” he says.

Hall also stresses that pasteurized milk is safe to drink. “The high-path virus is not very durable. So, once it’s been exposed to the traditional pasteurization temperatures, it’s dead,” Hall says. “You may find particles and pieces, but there’s no virus that can cause the contamination to spread.”

The Iowa State Fair is one week away and Hall says officials with the Fair also expect fewer dairy cow competitors due to the bird flu.

(By Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)

August 1:

• Roger Lyons of Atlantic (winner)

August 2:

• Judy McClure of Atlantic (winner)
• Tobey Thomas of Atlantic
• Perry Kelley of Harlan

August 3:

• Tracey Marshall of Atlantic (winner)

August 4:

• Rita Rohde of Atlantic (winner)
• Chis Parks of Atlantic

August 5:

• Pastor Dan Wiebesieck of Atlantic
• Camryn Jean Nelson of Creston
• Eric Wilson
• Melanie Heinrichs

August 6:

• Wendell Weideman of Atlantic (winner)
• Jim Finnell of Atlantic
• Roger Steffens of Atlantic
• Laura (Lola) Juhl of Atlantic
• Mike Blevins of Atlantic
• Vicki Ericksen of Atlantic
• Jonathan Sothman of Cumberland
• Dwain Thompson of Exira

August 7:

• Linda Marek of Anita (winner)
• Condo Karen Bock of Atlantic
• Chuck Sorensen of Exira
• Mike Carley of Carroll
• John Eichelberger of Council Bluffs

August 8:

• Carter Griffin of Atlantic (winner)

August 9:

• Peter Grey of Atlantic (winner)
• Linda Eilts of Massena
• Doug Weston of Audubon
• Ann Martin of Exira

August 10:

• Hudson of Atlantic (winner)
• Marilyn Bennett of Atlantic
• Jana Lambert of Atlantic

August 11:

• Sharon Hansen of Atlantic (winner)

August 12:

• Michael D Murphy of Atlantic (winner)

August 13:

• Bonnie Orfield of Atlantic (winner)
• Dianna Williams of Lewis
• Herb Wahlert of Exira

August 14:

• Denise Lowrey of Atlantic (winner)
• Dave Auerbach of Atlantic
• Linda Reisberg of Exira
• Jean Voege of Manning
• Finn Sothman of Cumberland

August 15:

• John Ehrman of Anita (winner)
• Michael E Murphy of Lewis
• Betty Wieman of Exira
• Braxton Androy of Elk Horn

August 16:

• Hannah Housh of Atlantic (winner)
• Bobbie Davis of Atlantic

August 17:

• Janice Peterson of Atlantic (winner)
• Margo Wolfe of Atlantic

August 18:

• John Oliphant of Atlantic (winner)
• Colby Madsen of Kimballton

August 19:

• Jeanie Klindt of Atlantic (winner)
• Brady Wayne Erickson of Gallup, NM
• Joyce Hanson of Wisconsen

August 20:

• Caty Rothfusz of Atlantic (winner)
• Amber Smith-Pattee of Vinton
• Carol Van Bemmel of Massena
• Meredith Fanton of Griswold

August 21:

• Erin Smouse of Exira (winner)
• Craig Parmley of Brayton
• Jeff Lowary of Atlantic

August 22:

• Norma Wise of Atlantic (winner)
• Grace Garrett of Atlantic

August 23:

• Tatum Santisteban of Exira (winner)
• Jovie Richter of Atlantic
• Michael Winston of Walnut
• Justin Waters of Sunset Beach, NC

August 24:

• Charlie Wheeler of Exira (winner)
• Claire Asberry of Exira
• Sandy Kniesel of Griswold
• Linda Waters of Atlantic

August 25:

• Margo Chester of Massena (winner)
• Andi Crane of Exira
• Jacque Miesinger of Atlantic

August 26:

• Janice Kinnison of Atlantic (winner)
• Fred Muhr of Exira

August 27:

• Chance Lauritsen of Exira (winner)
• Milo Sager of Atlantic

August 28:

• Isabella Davis (winner)
• Charlee Hockenberry of Anita
• Barbara Lamp of Atlantic
• MaDonna Nisson of Atlantic
• April Ortiz of Atlantic
• Traci Schlueter of Atlantic
• Miss Toni Moore of Atlantic

August 29:

• Marilyn Munch of Exira (winner)
• Melanie Larsen of Audubon

August 30:

• Fern Linvall of Atlantic (winner)
• Donnie Schlater of Exira

August 31:

• Becky Ray of Anita (winner)
• Scott Damon of Cumberland
• Shelby McKinley of Cumberland

WILLIAMSBURG, Iowa (KCRG) – Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. has notified 193 workers that they are being laid off from the company’s operation in Williamsburg, according to Iowa Workforce Development’s WARN notification list. According to the WARN listing, affected employees were notified Wednesday with the layoff date listed for Thursday. Kinze is a global manufacturer of planters, grain carts, and high-speed tillage equipment.

The layoffs at Kinze come during a difficult period for farm equipment manufacturers that economists say is being driven by a slower demand for farm equipment, including tractors. John Deere has laid off hundreds of workers in eastern Iowa and the Quad Cities in recent weeks and months.

(Radio Iowa; UPDATED) – Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says he’s concerned about what state law says about how crop land and pastures are to be restored after a hazardous liquid pipeline is built. “Should we look at that law? I think we can,” Naig says. “Eminent domain use should be rare. It should be used when there are significant property agreements in place.” But Naig says the legislature’s priority should be establishing guardrails and defining terms.

“I would be careful of going in and saying specifically: ‘This kind of project should or should not be allowed,'” Naig said. “Look at those broader principles. Does it have an overwhelming impact?…Is it used in cases where there’s voluntary agreement? What’s the right number for that?…Maybe some additional teeth in the restoration process to ensure that land is useful afterwards. I think those are things that are very logical to look at after we’ve gone through a process now.” Naig has read through the Iowa Utilities Commission decision granting a construction permit to Summit Carbon Solutions.

“Nobody likes eminent domain. Nobody, but Iowa law allows for it and Iowa law allows for it when it’s justified. How is it determined whether it’s justified? Utilities Board. Should we look at that law? I think we can,” Naig said. “Eminent domain use should be rare. Eminent domain should be used when significant voluntary agreements are in place.” But any eminent domain changes would be for projects proposed in the future, not the Summit pipeline. Naig says there could be an upside for the ethanol industry and corn growers if the pipeline’s built.

“Whether you like it or not…there could be an expansion signal even sent to the ethanol industry as we look at now using ethanol to make sustainable aviation fuel. If you’re going to make sustainable aviation fuel, you’ve got to lower the carbon intensity of ethanol,” Naig said. “There are many ways to do that, but we should be looking at all the options there. So is there potential value in this? Yes.” Naig expects lawsuits will be filed to challenge the state-issued construction permit for the pipeline and he says there may be other things lawmakers can learn through that process.

Naig made his comments during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S.

(Adair, Iowa) – An accident early this (Wednesday) morning, north of Adair, resulted in the death of 18 hogs, some of which were badly injured and had to be put down by law enforcement. Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright told KJAN News the accident happened at around 3:30-a.m. as the semi tractor trailer was heading west/southbound on White Pole Road. When the semi came to the intersection with Frontier Road, the driver slowed down, but didn’t get slowed-down enough to stop at the posted intersection. As he turned right onto Frontier Road, a load of about 160 fat hogs being taken to market, shifted, causing the trailer to tip over into the ditch, taking the semi cab with it.

Sheriff Arganbright said the hogs loaded on the top, inside deck of the trailer, went through the roof of the trailer and became piled-up onto of one another. The animals – he said – were scared and traumatized. They had lived most of their lives on a concrete pad and were already stressed by the road trip. The driver, and his young son (Whose names were not immediately available), were not hurt.

photo submitted to KJAN

The Sheriff and Deputy Blake Michelson worked traffic control while the remaining hogs were being rounded-up and loaded into another livestock trailer. The whole process took about six-hours. Richter and Son Towing removed the semi from the scene.