The Story Behind the $300K Hereford Steer

By theadmin

Twelve-year-old Ryder Day couldn’t believe his ears as he stood in the show ring at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

More than a year’s worth of hard work, patience, and dedication culminated at the stock show’s Junior Sale of Champions in February, when Ryder, his 9-year-old brother Riggin, and their one-year-old Polled Hereford steer named Cupid Shuffle made history.

Cupid’s grand champion win was momentous for two reasons: He’s the first Hereford since 1982 to win the title in Fort Worth — the “Super Bowl of stock shows for the steer world” — and he sold for a record-breaking $300,000. “We were just happy to be out there,” Ryder says. “Really, it was such a shock that we couldn’t really feel anything because it was just hard to think.”

Katie Jo Day, the boys’ mother, described the experience as life-changing and unforgettable. “You couldn’t get words out of your mouth,” Katie says. “But tears kept coming out of your eyes.”

It’s in the Blood

The Days, who own a farm and ranch west of Meadow, are a four-generation show cattle family who have shown cattle across the U.S. In fact, Katie and her husband Rusty met showing cattle in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Katie presented Herefords, while Rusty exhibited crossbreds. After five years of dating, Katie thought Rusty was about to pop The Question.

“But, actually, the question he asked was, would I want to buy a set of Hereford cows with him?” Katie says, amused. “It was kind of a bigger commitment than an engagement ring!” One year and a set of cows later, Katie and Rusty were married. “And that was the start of our Hereford herd here on the ranch,” Katie says.

Cupid, along with several other winning show steers, was a product of this union. This plays out every year through the couple’s show cattle operation, Day Show Cattle, which they run with the boys and Rusty’s parents, Ricky and Cindy Day, in Meadow. The elder Days are also Texas Farm Bureau members.

The Circle of Life

The brothers could tell Cupid Shuffle was special early on. Cupid’s kind, gentle disposition quickly made him a companion to the boys. But his physical assets — his bones and muscle, a long neck, and a lustrous coat — made him a prime show animal.

Ryder and Riggin, who have both shown cattle since age 5, teamed up to care for Cupid, making sure he was properly fed, exercised, and groomed. While it was difficult to say goodbye to Cupid, the boys understand it’s part of their business and way of life. They’re up for the challenge.

“It’s kind of like the circle of life with them,” Riggin says. “I always get reminded when I have to tell them bye that, maybe less than two months later, we’re gonna get new steers that we’re going to show next year.”

Ryder and Riggin already have big plans for the $300,000. A portion of the winnings will go toward a college fund, with the boys eyeing Texas Tech and Texas A&M — again carrying on a family tradition. (Katie is a Red Raider, and Rusty is an Aggie.)

The brothers are also starting a joint venture by investing in land and growing their herd, Katie says. “They know every acre in this place that we’ve got,” Katie says. “And I think the future of it is in good hands with them.”

Community You Can Count On

Meredith Campbell, an agency manager in Plainview, went to Texas Tech with Katie Jo Day. They grew up together in the stockshow world. She also serves as the Day family’s Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent. She had a front-row seat to the Day boys’ big win in Fort Worth.

“A Hereford winning the Fort Worth Stock Show is a rare event, but the fact it was the Days’ made everyone happy,” she says. “They represent the industry so well. They give time and encouragement to each stock show family, whether you are new to the ring or a seasoned banner winner. They truly want everyone to succeed in the show ring.”

Campbell sees similarities between the Day family and Texas Farm Bureau Insurance’s grassroots approach. “We pride ourselves on a long tradition of supporting agriculture — the Days are the same,” Campbell says. “They do things the right way, work hard, and are the kind of people you want to be friends with. I am just fortunate I get to do their insurance, too.”

To meet more of our amazing Texas Farm Bureau Insurance family, dig up Texas roots with the Bulb Hunter and learn how to protect the land with Brite Ranch.