The Illinois State Fair is all about traditions stretching back to the fair’s beginnings in 1853. For Brian and Alec Myers, a father and son from Taylorville, the tradition of raising cattle doesn’t go back quite that far, but it’s still an important part of their lives.
Brian Myers raised cattle while growing up, and says his family has done it since about the 1950s, so he wanted his son Alec to experience the tradition, too. Brian said he and Alec worked for about eight months to prepare the steer for competition.
Alec’s crossbreed steer took first place in the Division III Junior class for beef steers and eighth place in the overall Division I livestock class for beef cattle. “We just like to do it because it’s a family activity,” Brian said. “It’s educational and fun.”
To view more competition results, visit the State Fair website at www.agr.state.il.us/isf/competition