University of Wyoming Steer-A-Year program winners awarded

Each year, Wyoming’s ag community rallies behind University of Wyoming (UW) athletics through involvement in the Cowboy Joe Club’s Steer-A-Year program, in which they donate a physical steer, $1,000 in cash or steer transportation for gift-in-kind. 

Proceeds benefit UW’s athletic teams as well as members of the rodeo and livestock judging teams. 

During the course of the program, data is collected on donated steers, and donors receive awards for greatest initial value, best rate of gain, greatest net increase in value during the feeding period, greatest carcass value and greatest value sold early. 

Award winners are recognized each year during UW’s Annual Agriculture Appreciation Weekend, where they are invited to attend the Dean’s Dinner, the Ag Appreciation Barbecue and a home football game.

This year’s UW Ag Appreciation Weekend will take place Oct. 5-7, and 15 Steer-A-Year donors will be recognized. 

Rate of Gain Awards

The highest-gaining five-weight steer, gaining 3.28 pounds per day, was donated by Josh and Natasha Duran, and the highest-gaining 500 to 600 pound steer, gaining 3.5 pounds per day, was donated by Brian Bummer of Natrona County. 

The winner in the 601 to 700 pound category, gaining 3.63 pounds per day, was a steer donated by Bunker Ranch of Platte County, and in the 701 to 800 pound category, was a steer donated by Garson Strong Creek Ranch of Albany County, gaining 4.41 pounds per day. 

Rounding out the Rate of Gain Awards at 801-plus pounds, gaining 4.84 pounds per day, was a steer donated by Joe and Kristen Hedley of Albany County. 

Value award winners

At $2,728.70, Niobrara County’s Loren, Robyn, Logan and Heather Heth donated the steer with the greatest initial value.

Five donors will also be recognized for highest net value increase.

With a net value increase of $1,207.88, John and Jenni Stark of Albany County will take home honors in the 500 pounds or less category, while M Diamond Angus of Converse County will be awarded highest net value increase in the 501 to 600 pound category, at $1,265.79. 

In the 601 to 700 pound category, a steer donated by Dilts Ranch Company of Platte County had the highest net value increase at $1,384.33; a steer donated by Dan and Kristi Schwab of Lincoln County won the 701 to 800 pound category with a $1,338.77 net increase and Melvin and Isa Riley of Albany County had the highest-value 801-plus pound steer at $936.37.

Additionally, Dunmire Ranch of Albany County will be recognized for donating the steer with the highest carcass value prior to June 1 at $2,351.86, and a steer donated by Darnell Ranch, Inc. had the highest carcass value from June to July, at $2,716.14.

Other honorees

In addition to recognizing the highest gaining and highest value steers, the program also recognizes one new donor and one volunteer. 

This year’s Newcomer of the Year Award will be presented to Jennifer Scheer, and Tom Davis will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award. 

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.