The Calgary Stampede’s OH Ranch Branded Beef Youth Ambassador Program kicked off last fall, marking the second year of this one-of-a-kind opportunity for youth to expand their knowledge, skills and connections in the livestock industry. Among the 12 selected OH Beef Youth Ambassadors for 2025 is 15-year-old Mialynn (Mia) Mackie from just south of Maple Creek, SK, a sixth-generation rancher and an active member of her local Reno Multiple 4-H Club.
After learning about the program from a friend, Mia’s love for agriculture and livestock made her eager to apply for the opportunity to represent the ranching community and educate others. “I wanted to be part of something that helps people understand where their food comes from,” she says. “A lot don’t realize how much work it takes to raise a steer.”
Each Ambassador in the program is given a steer born on the Stampede’s OH Ranch to raise, along with a variety of opportunities throughout their time in the program to hone their skills when it comes to managing and caring for cattle by learning from industry professionals and key Stampede partners.
Mia was the ninth pick during the October 2024 Pick-a-Steer Day at OH Ranch and is happy with her steer, who grew from 657 pounds to 890 pounds by February 2025. “He’s coming along really well,” she says. “It takes commitment—feeding, working with him every day—but that’s what I love.”
Mia takes great pride in her work, especially when it comes to showing cattle. In December, she was the first 2025 Ambassador to compete with her OH steer, earning fourth in class at the Medicine Hat Beef Pen Show. “It was his first time away from home, so I was really happy with how he handled it,” she says.
The program culminates on July 12 at the 2025 Calgary Stampede, where the Ambassadors will compete in the OH Ranch Branded Beef classes in conjunction with the Junior Steer Classic Show before selling their steer in the prestigious International Livestock Auctioneer Championships. Ambassadors will take home 80 per cent of their steer’s sale proceeds.
In the meantime, Mia will continue to grow her steer and practice showing, with their next competition taking place in Stettler, AB at the end of March.
Learn more about the OH Ranch Branded Beef Youth Ambassador Program and how you can support, or pre-register as a buyer for the International Livestock Auctioneer Competition on July 12, 2025 here.
Article courtesy of Alex Russell, Calgary Stampede Agriculture & Western Events Media Committee Volunteer.
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