The Steer-A-Year program at Montana State University’s College of Agriculture is seeking donations of young cattle and feed for the 2025-26 academic year. The program, part of the Department of Animal and Range Sciences, integrates classroom learning with practical experience in cattle management.
Students participating in Steer-A-Year spend the academic year feeding, caring for, and managing steers. They also collect data on feed efficiency and weight gain while studying livestock marketing. For many students, this is their first opportunity to work directly with cattle.
“Steer-A-Year has now been providing life-changing educational opportunities at MSU for more than a decade,” said program adviser Hannah DelCurto-Wyffels. “It helps students prepare for their careers in tangible and applicable ways, in an environment that is supportive, engaging and approachable. We would not have been able to experience this kind of longevity as a program without the incredible donors and supporters who provide donations each year.”
The program accepts financial support or donations of steers, feed, and other supplies. Donated steers are kept at the Bozeman Agriculture Research and Teaching Farm. At the end of each academic year, MSU Culinary Services purchases the cattle raised by students; last year they bought all 45 animals from the program. The meat is served in Miller and Rendezvous dining halls as part of MSU’s focus on using local ingredients.
Proceeds from these sales help fund travel expenses for student teams and clubs within the College of Agriculture. This includes attending meetings with commodity groups and industry professionals across Montana, which offers additional networking opportunities.
“Steer-A-Year helps our students gain literacy in every element of animal science while they engage with producers and professionals all over Montana,” DelCurto-Wyffels said. “Industry partners never fail to amaze us with their generosity and willingness to mentor the next generation of agricultural professionals, and we hope that learning process continues to go both ways.”
Each year awards are given for best initial feeder steer donation, top rate-of-gain steer, best feed efficiency steer, and best carcass-producing steer.
DelCurto-Wyffels stated that donated calves should be weaned, castrated, dehorned, weigh between 500-800 pounds, with pickup ideally during early November. Those interested can contact her at 406-994-3752 or hannah.delcurto@montana.edu.
