FRANKLIN - Carter, 14, and Tyler Groff, 13, of Franklin, are brothers with a passion for agriculture and a knack for raising top-quality beef steers. As they prepare for the 137th Delaware County Fair, the duo is focused on readying their Shorthorn-Charolais crossbreeds, “Norm” and “Paddington,” for Saturday’s 4-H auction.
Raising a beef steer for the fair is a year-long commitment. The Groff brothers start working with their animals around Christmas, teaching them to walk with a halter and getting them accustomed to the noises and activities of a show environment. This involves daily routines of feeding, washing, and conditioning to ensure their steers are not only in peak physical condition but also calm and cooperative in the show ring.
Tyler, experienced with various animal breeds, explains how he keeps a steer calm and cooperative.
“You don’t hit an animal,” he said. If an animal does something “bad,” it’s just trying to learn, he explained. “It doesn’t know what’s going on. And it’s scared.”
He leads by example, he said. “Take your confidence and put it in the animal because the animals can sense what you’re feeling,” he said with wisdom and experience. “If you’re brave, and you know what you’re doing, then they’ll be brave, and they will want to follow you.”
You get respect from an animal, by showing the animal respect, Tyler said knowingly.
An ideal market steer typically weighs between 1,300 and 1,500 pounds. Groffs’ steers are smaller bodied and well-muscled.
“You want them to be like a box,” Carter explained, referring to the importance of a squared-off back and proper muscle conformation.
The boys pay attention to the animals’ diets, feeding them grain and hay twice daily to achieve the desired finish — a term that refers to the right balance of muscle and fat.
Caring for a beef steer also comes with financial lessons. The brothers are responsible for covering their animals’ feed and veterinary costs, using proceeds from the auction to fund future projects. With current beef prices strong, the Groffs are hopeful for a good return. Beef prices are currently about $2.20 per pound “on-the-hoof,” a promising figure for their efforts.
Once the fair is over, the brothers will be shopping for their next project animals with their father Dillon. A steer project, Dillons said, is the biggest animal project a 4-Her can do. While smaller animals, like sheep, pigs or goats can wait until spring - a new beef animal project for the following year’s fair begins almost immediately. They will purchase new beef steers with their auction proceeds.
Outside of raising a steer for fair, Carter and Tyler are active in sports like baseball, basketball, and trap shooting. They also enjoy hunting, fishing, and are members of Future Farmers of America (FFA), where they continue to develop their agricultural skills.
For these brothers, the highlight of showing at the fair isn’t just the competition but the friendships and community they find along the way. As Tyler puts it, “You want to win, but you also want to have fun.”
And with the color and unique traits of their steers, the Groff brothers are set to stand out in the show ring, showcasing not just their animals but the dedication and hard work that goes into raising them.
