For the past 33 years, Iowa’s cattle producers, governor and many generous donors have worked together to bring comfort, hope and healing to families of seriously ill children through the Governor’s Charity Steer Show at the Iowa State Fair.

The event brings together personalities in media, business, sports and government to lead 1,300-pound steers in historic Pioneer Livestock Pavilion.

The 34th annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show will be held Aug. 13, raising funds to support Iowa’s three Ronald McDonald Houses located in Sioux City, Des Moines and Iowa City. All of the houses are located near hospitals and provide a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children.

The Iowa Farm Bureau has participated in the Governor’s Charity Steer Show every year it’s been held. This year’s Farm Bureau-sponsored entry is named Farm Strong, a steer raised by Abi Henderson of Ogden.

The show and the auction are open to the general public, beginning at 4 p.m.

Since its inception in 1983, the Governor’s Charity Steer Show has raised more than $2.7 million for the Ronald McDonald Houses. During that time, the three Iowa Ronald McDonald Houses have served more than 34,000 Iowa families and another 8,000 families from all 50 states and more than 60 countries.

Last year’s auction raised more than $222,000, including the highest selling steer to date at $31,000.

Farm Bureau sponsored a steer raised by Jaynie Ferrari of Dayton in the 2015 Governor’s Charity Steer Show. The steer, named Farm Bureau Pride, was shown by U.S. Rep. David Young from Iowa’s 3rd congressional district (pictured above) and purchased jointly by the 11 central Iowa counties in Farm Bureau’s District 5.