Every July, 12 youth competitors walk into the Nutrien Western Event Centre arena with a steer weighing more than 1,000 pounds that they’ve raised since it was a calf. The OH Ranch Branded Beef Youth Ambassador Program, the only program of its kind in Canada, gives youth ages 14 to 18 a rare, hands-on shot at building a career in agriculture.
17-year-old Reese Morison comes from a mixed farming operation north of Calgary in Rocky View County. One of the lucky 12, chosen out of a pool of 60 applicants, Reese, like all applicants, wrote a detailed essay as to why she wanted to be part of the OH Branded Beef Show.
Those selected as this year's ambassadors chose their animal, then brought it home to care, feed and prepare it for show and sale.
Reese says that her steer, Ice Cube, is calm, well mannered, and eats well. “Ice Cube has quite the personality and is very particular about the humans he likes. I think he’ll do well, he is the heaviest steer in the light-weight class,” Morison states.
Reese has enjoyed the OH Program immensely saying how fast the year has gone. A nine-year veteran in 4-H, she highly recommends others take advantage of the opportunity the OH Branded Beef Program has to offer.
“I’ve learned so much, including how to select a good steer, about nutrition and feeding programs, and how to see if the animal needs more protein or energy in their diet, along with cutting, wrapping and marketing animals,” she highlights.
Reese shares being part of the Calgary Stampede is a true honour. Acting as an agricultural ambassador, offering agricultural education and knowledge is an incredible privilege and very rewarding. “It is amazing the types of questions I have answered being here in the barns.”
“The connections I have made have been rewarding and meeting the other competitors makes this an exciting show for me personally and I'm looking forward to seeing how Ice Cube will fare at the sale on Sunday. This is Ice Cube’s and my third and final show,” Morison reflects.
Ambassadors get top-tier agri-educational experiences that set them up to become leaders in the industry. After the competition, Morison’s steer will be sold at the Calgary Stampede International Livestock Auctioneer Championship, where she will receive a percentage of the sale. Every ambassador walks away with the discipline, patience, and hands-on skill it takes to raise an animal that’s sound, finished, and calm under pressure. That’s the real win.
Article provided by Christie Jensen, Agriculture and Western Events Media Committee volunteer.
Photo caption: Reese Morison competes in the OH Ranch Branded Beef Youth Ambassador Program on July 10, 2026.
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