When Daxton Beecher first began working with the steer he will show Saturday at the Allen County Fair, the animal was a bit rowdy, and certainly not in much of a mood to obey.
But through persistence, patience and a steady diet of walks over the past eight months, Beecher has the 1,000 lb. goliath ready.
Beecher and throngs of other 4-H’ers will show off their steers Saturday evening at the Allen County Fair Beef Show, one of the signature events of the weekend.
“It probably took a couple of months for it to behave,” Beecher said with a smile. He credits his mother, Dallyn Beecher, for teaching him how to maintain the even keel necessary to dealing with large animals.
“She’s shown me a lot,” he said.
“He’s always been good with animals,” Dallyn added. “This one’s been a bit ornery because it’s been by itself a lot. With sports, Daxton’s schedule hasn’t allowed him to work with it as much.”
But Beecher, 9, takes full advantage of the opportunities he has with the animal.
“I usually take it out in the evenings, when it’s cooler,” he said. “I like working with it, washing it, brushing it.”
Beecher is eager to build on last year’s success, where he was rated the grand champion beef showman for his age group.
“It doesn’t really add to the pressure,” Beecher said. “I like it.”
Beecher’s busy fair preparation has included a full summer’s worth of baseball.
On top of starring for the Iola Insurance Associates PeeWee team this summer, Beecher also was chosen as one of the 10-and-under all-stars who competed in a tournament earlier this week in independence.
“It’s been a pretty busy week,” his mother laughed.
With only his steer to occupy his attention for the Fair, Beecher spends most of his time keeping the animal company, but he’s also keen on checking out the various exhibits and food booths.
He also enjoys watching his friends and fellow competitors show off their entries.
“I like it all,” he said.
