Interview with a Champion

Ky Stierwalt and his Grand Champion Market Steer

Our Exclusive Q&A with Ky Stierwalt! At Better Animals, we know how tough it can be trying to cram school, sports, jobs, and raising animals into your busy schedules! That's why we were thrilled to have the chance to interview Ky Stierwalt, a high school junior from Oklahoma who won the Grand Champion Market Steer at the 2007 N.A.I.L.E. in Louisville, KY! We know he's a busy guy, but we couldn't pass up the chance to learn about Ky, his steer, and his secrets to success! Better Animals: Hi Ky, it's great to have the chance to catch up with you again! Last year, we interviewed you after you won Grand Champion Market Steer at the American Royal (see http://www.betteranimalsshowseries.com/main_archive.php?ID=1 for the interview), and now we're lucky enough to chat with you again! To get the ball rolling, let's find out a little background info on your amazing win! Tell us a little about your steer. Ky Stierwalt: His name is Arkansas Dave, and we had him for about 8 months prior to the show. Better Animals: How much did you sell Arkansas Dave for after the show? Ky Stierwalt: We sold him for $23,000. BA: Wow, that's a lot of money! It must have taken a ton of preparation for the N.A.I.L.E., what type of routine did you follow? KS: Well, we put him in the cooler in August. I rinsed him twice a day, and washed him one or two times a week, depending on whether he needed it or not. I set him up every night. From August to Louisville, he only missed one rinsing (due to rain)! BA: That sounds like a pretty demanding schedule you had going there. How did you have time to do all of this? KS: For daily care, we use eZall’s Total Body Wash. This is a great product because I just sprayed it on him and rinsed it off. We didn’t have to spend a lot of time scrubbing him to get all the dirt off, because the eZall did all the work! We saved time by using eZall’s It’s Gone for show day breakdown, which is a super quick way to remove any adhesives. BA: Those are some great tips! What was the hardest part about getting your steer ready for show? KS: I would have to say the toughest part was getting him fat enough. When we got him, he only weighed 625 pounds. We fed him Purina Mills® Show Chow® Finishing Touch® from start to finish. The structure was there, we just had to get some much needed weight on him. BA: Well, it looks like your method of fattening him up definitely worked! Did Arkansas Dave go to any other shows in 2007? KS: He went to the Oklahoma Beef Expo in April, and was the Reserve Grand Overall in one ring and Third Overall in the other ring. This is the only show he went to other than the N.A.I.L.E. BA: Congratulations on those wins as well! How did it feel to get the Grand Champion at the N.A.I.L.E.? KS: It was awesome because all my hard work paid off. There were 22 states represented in the steer show, and I was very fortunate to be the one the judge picked. BA: Did you have a feeling Arkansas Dave would do well at the show? KS: I knew I had a good calf, but you never can predict what the outcome will be. Winning and losing go hand in hand with showing. BA: Is there anything you would change about the way you raised Arkansas Dave? KS: Not really…he did everything we were hoping he would! BA: Raising and showing animals can be a tough job, as you are well aware. What is some advice you have for kids out there who may be getting a little frustrated? KS: Don’t give up! I know how it is to sacrifice other things, but if you keep working at it, your hard work will pay off someday. Keep on keepin’ on…life’s a garden, dig it! BA: That is some wise advice, Ky. What are your plans for raising and showing animals in the future? KS: I have started my own cow herd, but I would like to make it bigger someday. BA: I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about you in the future! In general, what do you think is the best part about showing animals? KS: I think working on my calves, going to the barn every day and going to the shows. I have met a lot of great people while showing cattle. Seeing my friends and going to different shows across the U.S. has been a very special part of my life. BA: Thanks for your time Ky, and we wish you the best of luck in future shows!