The steer disqualified from the Calgary Stampede steer show in July after it tested positive for trace amounts of drugs, has been donated to the food bank in Airdrie, Alta.
“It will be ready for Christmas,” said steer owner, Royden Anderson.
“I don’t need the meat and it seemed like the right thing to do,” said Anderson, of Didsbury.
The steer, named Oscar, was destined for slaughter after the Calgary Stampede steer show in July, but stampede officials kept the steer alive until receiving the results of the blood test.
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The steer owners appealed the decision, but their appeal was rejected and the steer has lived at its owner’s farm since then.
“After all the kerfuffle with the stampede, this brings it back to reality and what we’re doing is feeding people,” said Anderson, of Didsbury.
“This is what the beef industry is about. It’s about feeding people, to put things in perspective. It’s not shows or prizes.”
Anderson said he sat down with co-owner Riley Chalack and the two agreed they’d met a lot of friends through the steer and they didn’t need the meat.
“We feel better donating the meat,” said Anderson.
“It’s a reality check, even for myself. It’s Christmas. People need to eat.”
Lori McRitchie, executive director of the Airdrie Food Bank said the donation of a 1,400 pound steer to the food bank is “huge.”
“It saves us going out and buying the necessary meat for the food hampers,” said McRitchie.
Meat is included in the weekly food hampers, which are given to the mainly rural areas outside Calgary, but is not often donated.
“We get lots of Kraft dinner and tuna, but not a lot of meat. When it comes our way we consider ourselves blessed.”
