‘Bugs’ wins showmanship award

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Bugs, a cross-bred steer owned by Amy, Les and Alec Staudt of Rockford — and sponsored by Friends of Floyd County — won the top prize for showmanship  in the 2018 Governor’s Charity Steer Show on Saturday at the Iowa State Fair.

Bugs was shown by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, the celebrity handler, and Alec Staudt walked behind as the owner/herdsman.

Alec wrestles, plays football and golf at Charles City High School, where he’ll be a sophomore this fall. Amy and Les also saw one of their other sons, Adam, compete in the charity steer show in 2012.

This was the 13th year in a row Floyd County had an entry in the prestigious celebrity cattle show that raises money for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa, and the second year a Floyd County steer won the award. Rudd’s Jayden Jorgensen and her steer “Hershey” hooked up with Bill Northey — then the ag secretary — last year to win the showmanship award.

Bugs got the name because he hopped around like Bugs Bunny when he was younger. The steer finished second place reserve overall in market beef last month at the Floyd County Fair.

Immediately following the competition in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion, the steers were sold at auction with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. Bugs sold for $17,000. The show is sponsored by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. Since its inception in 1983, the Governor’s Charity Steer Show has generated over $3.2 million in support of Iowa’s Ronald McDonald House chapters.