The Life Cycle of a Show Steer: An Introduction

For many livestock exhibitors in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Youth Expo is always top of mind. As the highly anticipated event approaches, I couldn’t think of a better time to introduce my new seven-part series, The Life Cycle of a Show Steer.

Growing up in the livestock industry—raising, selling, and exhibiting market steers—I’ve been immersed in this world for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I hosted “steer shows” in my living room, dragging a stuffed calf around while begging my mom to judge (not to brag, but I won every time). Recognizing my passion early on, my dad handed me a real show halter at just three years old. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of competing at shows across the country, from the Sioux Empire Livestock Show to the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo.

While winning at national events was unforgettable—especially covering my steer in glitter for the Sioux Empire Sale of Champions and standing on the green carpet in Denver—nothing compares to the limo ride tradition at the Oklahoma Youth Expo. In 2022, my steer, Tarzan, was named breed champion All Other Breeds (AOB), but the journey to that moment was long and full of hard work.

Throughout this series, I’ll take you behind the scenes of what it takes to prepare a steer for his final show, using Tarzan’s story as a guide. From selecting genetics to the emotional final days at the show, I’ll cover every stage of the process.