Teen’s steer earns grand champion at State Fair

When Lex Lewison and his brother Gavin picked out dairy steers about a year ago, they knew they had some special ones. They found out just how special last week at the Minnesota State Fair.
Lex, 17, earned overall grand champion with his steer, while Gavin, 13, had a reserve champion in his division. Both brothers qualified for the prestigious 4-H Purple Ribbon Livestock Auction, where Lex earned $21,000 and Gavin $5,250 for their animals.
“I was set on that one,” said Lex in picking out his steer from a Wisconsin dairy farm in September 2020. “He just kind of stuck out.”
Added Gavin, “We called him a beast.”
For Lex, it was the first time in his 4-H career that he qualified for the market sale. And then to do so with his younger brother the same year made it even more special.
“It’s pretty rare to be in the auction together,” said Gavin, adding this also was his first time showing at the State Fair. This year was Lex’s fourth time.
Lex said, “It was dad’s goal for both of us to be in the market sale in the same year.”
The Lewisons are members of the Straight River Stars 4-H Club and live on a small hobby farm with their parents Bradley and Tammy Lewison, south of Owatonna. Lex will be a senior and Gavin will be in eighth grade at NRHEG School.
Lex is proud of his accomplishment of having the best steer in Minnesota. “It was a nice reward for all the hard work we put in at home,” Lex said, adding they have been walking the steers to prepare them for competition every day throughout the summer and washing them two or three times a week.
“We do all the work with the steers together,” Lex said.
Lex named his steer George and said he was the most cooperative steer ever. But, he was quick to add, George got mad if he didn’t get his meals on time twice a day.
As for the money earned at the auction, Lex said he plans to save it but doesn’t know exactly for what yet. He plans to work throughout his senior year at Ron’s Repair in Owatonna and hopes to go full-time into auto mechanics after he graduates.
Gavin concurred with his older brother’s plan.
“It’s a lot of money to spend at my age, so I will probably save it,” Gavin said.
Lex said their parents have always been good about teaching them responsibility, especially when it comes to money.
For the Lewisons, 4-H has always been a family tradition. Their older sisters, Grace and Hannah, and their parents, have all been in 4-H.
While Lex and Gavin are the only two left in 4-H, the oldest gets first and third picks for two steers to be shown at the county fair. Gavin tried to work his magic to switch things up this year.
“He was trying to bargain with me and give me second and third picks if I gave him first pick,” Lex said.
After winning grand champion last week, Lex said he is glad he held his ground and kept the first pick.