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.

 

Since its inception in 1983, the Iowa Governor's Charity Steer show has surpassed $6 million in donations.​

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. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa.

​

This event, hosted by the Office of the Governor of Iowa, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, and the Iowa Beef Industry Council, is yet another example of the care the beef cattle industry has for our state, rural communities, and those in need.

​

HISTORY OF THE GOVERNOR’S CHARITY STEER SHOW
Founded in 1983, then Governor Terry Branstad joined forces with the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen's Association and organized the Iowa Governor's Charity Steer Show (GCSS). The Iowa Cattle Industry continues to step up every year and show why this event is one of a kind. The event highlights the cattle industry of Iowa, our youth who are raising and showing these steers, and the "Iowa Nice" mentality that we do what we can to help people in a time of crisis. 

 

At the Governor's request, the designated charity for the first-time event was the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Iowa. The Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa provide a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill and hospitalized children. There are three independent Ronald McDonald House Charity Chapters in Iowa, located in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Siouxland. Together these three houses have served the needs of over 55,000 families from all 50 states and more than 62 foreign countries.

 

THE EVENT

During the 43-year history of this great event, we have collaboratively raised over $6 million, with proceeds donated to the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa. This yearly event during the first Saturday of the Iowa State Fair has become a mainstay of the fair and one of the most recognizable charity events in the United States.

 

Together, 25 sponsors 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. 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 we head to the auction block where the excitement really begins. Through the auction of the steers, we raise money from the generosity of steer buyers, representatives of each steer, and countless donors from across the state.

​

Thank you to Governor Kim Reynolds for her continued dedication to this event and for her partnership with Iowa beef cattle producers. We look forward to this year's event!

​

A list of sponsors, youth exhibitors, steers, celebrities, donors/buyers, and funds raised will be updated as information is available.

​

1. Sponsors: Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen's Association

    Celebrity: Governor Kim Reynolds

    Exhibitor: 

    Steer:  

​

2. Sponsors: Crawford County Cattlemen and Nor-AM Cold Storage

    Celebrity: Lt. Governor Chris Gearhart Cournoyer

    Exhibitor: 

    Steer:

​

3. Sponsor: Davis County Beef Promoters

    Celebrity: 

    Exhibitor: 

    Steer:  

​

4. Sponsors: Mahaska County Cattlemen & Friends

   Celebrity: 

    Exhibitor: 

    Steer:  

​

5. Sponsors: Iowa Farm Bureau

    Celebrity: 

    Exhibitor: 

    Steer:

​

6. Sponsor: Dee Zee, Inc. (The Quality Truck Accessory People)

    Celebrity: 

    Exhibitor: 

    Steer:

​

7. Sponsor: Iowa Bankers Association

    Celebrity: 

    Exhibitor: 

    Steer:

​

8. Sponsors: Volunteer Boards of Iowa Ronald McDonald House Charities

    Celebrity: 

    Exhibitor: 

    Steer: 

​

9. Sponsors: Eastern Iowa Ronald McDonald House and Quad Cities McDonald's

    Celebrity: 

    Exhibitor: 

    Steer:

​

10. Sponsors: Central Iowa Ronald McDonald Houses and Des Moines Area Independent Owner Operators

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer:

​

11. Sponsors: Siouxland Ronald McDonald House and Siouxland Area McDonald's Operators

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer: 

​

12. Sponsor: Friends of Floyd County

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer:

​

13. Sponsor: Monroe County Cattlemen & Supporters

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer: 

​

14. Sponsor: Iowa County Beef Supporters

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer:​

​

15. Sponsors: Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust and Friends of Franklin County Cattlemen

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer:

​

16. Sponsor: Iowa Junior Hereford Association

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer:​

​

17. Sponsors: Benton County Cattlemen and Local Supporters

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer: 

​

18. Sponsor: Iowa Corn Promotion Board

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer: 

​

19. Sponsor: Johnson County Cattlemen & Reeve Farms

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer:​

​

20. Sponsors: Jackson County Cattlemen and Friends of Jackson County

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer:

​

21. Sponsors: Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and Iowa State University

                        College of Veterinary Medicine

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer:​

​

22. Sponsor: District 20 Cattlemen's Associations

     Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer: ​

​

23. Sponsor: Iowa Premium, A National Beef Company

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer:

​

24. Sponsor: ServiTech, Inc.

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer:

​

25. Sponsor: Iowa Angus Association

      Celebrity: 

      Exhibitor: 

      Steer: