Fort Worth Grand Champion Steer - Like You've Never Seen One Before

[chambero]

Some of you know that the Grand Champion Steer at the Fort Worth Livestock Show (usually with around 2,000 steers shown) doesn't wind up being eaten.  For several years, the Grand steer has been donated to the Fort Worth Zoo for use in an exhibit on Texas livestock.  It's actually pretty neat. 

I send my boys to camp at the zoo for a week every summer.  They came home one day about a month ago telling me they saw last year's steer.  I told them to take a picture of it and here they are.

I'm 99% sure this is the Grand steer from the 08 show.  Photos were taken in mid-July.  The calf actually looks pretty good and gets around fine for an animal that is somewhere in the vicinity of 27 months old.  Someone looks to have had enough sense to shave him off.  I'm not sure he thinks much of his long-horned buddy though. I'm guessing he loses fights around the feed bucket.

Anyway, here's what one looks like without the fluff and glue and the daily TLC.

 

[Simmymom1]

  (clapping)  WOW, "Warrior" still looks great! Those are awesome pictures Chambero!  I bet your boys have a great time going to camp at the zoo, I know there is alot to do and learn there.  That is one lucky steer to be able to "live it up" like that instead of being made into hamburger meat. 

 

[chambero]

Was that his "name"? 

I bet he liked his old home better.  He probably didn't live in close proximity to so many critters that think he'd make a nice meal.  I bet he wondered where in the world he landed his first few nights there listening to the night sounds.

 

[Simmymom1]

Was that his "name"? 

I bet he liked his old home better.  He probably didn't live in close proximity to so many critters that think he'd make a nice meal.  I bet he wondered where in the world he landed his first few nights there listening to the night sounds.

Yup, that was his name.  I remember the video of the girl winning with him, after she won they interviewed her and she started crying and said she was going to miss "Warrior".  I bet she quit crying after she got her money, I bet it was all smiles after that!!! 

 

[linnettejane]

wow! 
my cousin won grand champion one year and besides getting a pretty nice check, the steer was also donated back to her...well, she convinced her daddy to spare sock's life and let her take him home (you know how some little girls have their daddy's wrapped around their little fingers, this is one of those cases)  so socks lived to be 3 years old... unfortunately and for some strange reason, the older he got, the meaner he got.... so finally, one day after he had ran them all out of the field, jen decided it was time...they had one huge party, invited all the beef people from the county fair and had the best hamburgers i've ever eaten.... <cowboy>

 

[dori36]

Cool pics and what a neat thing to do with the Gr. Ch. Steer.  Guess some of his "lesser" peers aren't so lucky!  I'm curious about this comment: 
<<The calf actually looks pretty good and gets around fine for an animal that is somewhere in the vicinity of 27 months old. >>

I'm guessing you are classifying him as old enough to have some age related problems.  Or is it that with all the various inputs given to show steers, in general, you wouldn't expect much life expectancy from him?  My breedng bull will be 12 years old this Fall and is still breeding and settling cows.  He shows some lameness in one stifle (hey, he's a Lowline and has bred lots of big, "regular" cows!  Standing on his tiptoes and hopping along to get them bred can be a little hard on the stifles.) but other than that, doesn't really have what I'd call trouble getting around. 

 

[chambero]

Meaning the perception of show steers is that they are complete cripples, especially the good ones - especially with the bloodlines this calf came from.  The calf looked to get around just fine - although it was very hot and he wasn't exactly running laps around his pen.  He was just laid back enjoying life.

I figured most people would be surprised a Grand Champion steer at probably the biggest show in the country could actually function long after the daily pampering had stopped.

Nothing wrong with the steer at all that I could tell.

 

[dori36]

Meaning the perception of show steers is that they are complete cripples, especially the good ones - especially with the bloodlines this calf came from.  The calf looked to get around just fine - although it was very hot and he wasn't exactly running laps around his pen.  He was just laid back enjoying life.

I figured most people would be surprised a Grand Champion steer at probably the biggest show in the country could actually function long after the daily pampering had stopped.

Nothing wrong with the steer at all that I could tell.

Thanks!

 

[CPL]

Meaning the perception of show steers is that they are complete cripples, especially the good ones - especially with the bloodlines this calf came from.  The calf looked to get around just fine - although it was very hot and he wasn't exactly running laps around his pen.  He was just laid back enjoying life.

I figured most people would be surprised a Grand Champion steer at probably the biggest show in the country could actually function long after the daily pampering had stopped.

Nothing wrong with the steer at all that I could tell.

I don't know about most people but to me the steer is still being pamper. He's obviously on feed and in a smaller pen. I also have a different view of what "working clothes" are and this guy is sure not in them. Either way, had has to be neat to see him on exhibit at the zoo. So how long does he stay? Is this a whole collection or do they eventually get rid of them?

 

[kanshow]

So how long does he stay? Is this a whole collection or do they eventually get rid of them?

That was my question too... 

 

[chambero]

I guess they get rid of them.  At least he was the only one there that day and I know the past few steers have ended up there.  They may have more in a "back" area though.  He didn't appear to be treated any better or worse than any other zoo animal.  But its a long way from the cooler and daily care he grew up with.

 

[Jive Turkey]

I'm guessing you are classifying him as old enough to have some age related problems.  Or is it that with all the various inputs given to show steers, in general, you wouldn't expect much life expectancy from him?  My breedng bull will be 12 years old this Fall and is still breeding and settling cows.

Problem is, steers start losing their teeth once they get to about 3 years of age.

Bulls don't lose their teeth like castrated males.