Fair Enough
No one seems to know what to do with dairy beef animals at the Indiana State Fair. Dairy steers clearly belong in the beef industry, but, because they are a byproduct of the dairy industry, they shouldn't be judged side-by-side with beef breeds. The state fair tried doing that last year, and dairy beef families weren't happy with the results. They argue that no judge will ever select a dairy steer to be in the top five, even if it deserved to be there.
The 2025 format didn't make the dairy beef families happy, so the state fair has decided to give them their own competition but on a different day. Many families are unhappy about that idea, too.
Every livestock species wants to be a part of the Grand Drive, which is the final round of competition for market animals. Dairy steers were included in that event as recently as 2023, and many families were happy to be included in that pinnacle event. The problem is the Grand Drive schedule is tight, with beef, swine, sheep and goats also competing for time.
Many dairy steer exhibitors also show dairy feeder steers, so just imagine how difficult it would be to squeeze all those cattle—beef, dairy beef and dairy feeders—into the cattle barn in one weekend. Then consider all the extra space needed for grooming chutes and tack.
To create some elbow room in the cattle barn, the state fair is moving dairy steers out of the Grand Drive and hosting their competition on a separate day, Aug. 11. The new "unified" format will feature judging for dairy steers and dairy feeder steers, plus showmanship, making it possible for families to show both animals in one day. That seems like a smart move.
However, some of the hard-core dairy beef families say they feel disrespected by the change. They believe strongly that dairy steers should be included in the Grand Drive, which is held on Aug. 9. They point out that dairy beef animals provide nearly a quarter of the beef consumed in the U.S. They have a valid point.
Finding a compromise that pleases everyone is difficult. Dairy steers are part of the beef industry, but there are some obvious differences, like a taller frame and lack of hair, that prevent them from competing head-to-head with the beef breeds. For many years, dairy beef families have fought for the right to compete at the Indiana State Fair, and that fight isn't over.
The 2026 livestock schedule may be set in stone, but I'm sure state fair officials will be anxious to hear feedback from dairy beef families. This isn't the end of the debate; expect more changes next year and the next. I'm sure things will evolve until, hopefully, state fair officials find a win-win solution.