A Cut Above the Rest
Freize “Steaks” His Claim
as Grand Champion at the KY Beef Expo
Deidra Bowling-Meade
The Ashland Beacon
Eastern Kentucky gained recognition at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo this month, as Nate Freize became the first Grand Champion from the region to win the prestigious event.
Freize reflected, “Honestly, I didn’t even know I was the first one until shortly after when Dad told me about it. I thought it was pretty awesome to be the first person to do that and to put other parts of the state on notice that Eastern Kentucky has got good cattle.”
The Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo provides purebred cattle breeders with one of the most unique and effective state-supported promotional events. It’s held annually on the first weekend of March at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville. This year marks the expo’s 23rd year of celebrating the beef cattle industry. It brings together breeders, buyers, and enthusiasts for a weekend of top-quality cattle sales, competitive shows, and valuable industry networking. There were 11 breed shows and sales, including Angus, Beefalo, Charolais, Chiangus, Limousin, Polled Hereford, Red Angus, Red Poll, Salers, Shorthorn, and Simmental.
Freize showed a Chiangus steer he purchased from Cluxton Family Show Cattle in Ripley, Ohio. The steer is the offspring of a Bull – Here I Am and a Dam – Primo/Who Dat Darling. Prior to the Beef Expo, Freize had shown the steer at the Lawrence County Fair and the Bourbon Trail Jackpot Series in Morehead. While the steer showed promise, training him wasn’t always easy.
“The first time I showed the steer, he locked his front legs, and I had to use the show stick to make him walk,” Nate recalled. “I was hoping he’d get less nervous, but he actually passed out in the ring. Since then, he’s done great and now sets up without me needing to use the show stick.”
Freize compared getting the steer ready for a show to how a model gets on the runway. It takes preparation, presentation, and showcasing their best features to create a polished look. Clipping and fitting a steer for a show is a meticulous process that requires attention to detail and a lot of patience. The goal is to present the steer in the best possible condition, highlighting its muscle structure, clean lines, and overall appearance. Freize expressed gratitude for the help he received from the Cluxton family and Zach Day, who were instrumental in ensuring the steer’s success.
Freize stated, “The Cluxtons gave us tips on feeding the steer and helped with clipping and fitting, along with Zach Day. There were a lot of people helping and doing things without asking for anything in return. It’s a main reason why the steer did so well at the expo.”
Freize is the third generation of his family to breed and show cattle, and this victory marks a proud moment for the Freize family.“This has been a passion of ours for a long time,” Nate’s father, Jamie Freize, said. “To see our son live out this dream is everything a father could wish for. It’s a blessing to work alongside my dad and my son, doing something we all love, and watching it come to life through Nate.”Nate’s mother, Tricia Freize, added, “As a mom, I couldn’t be more proud of the young man Nate has become. It’s a blessing to watch him excel in something he loves so much. He’s dedicated and strives to be the best at whatever he does. I have no doubt this is just the beginning for him. My cup runneth over!”
Freize has two more shows scheduled with this steer: a district show and the Kentucky State Fair, where he hopes to add more victories and earnings to his collection. He plans to continue showing cattle through the Future Farmers of America (FFA) until he ages out at 21, and no matter what, breeding and showing cattle will always be a part of his life.
Freize shared, “I have always loved being around cattle. It’s something I wish I would have started at an earlier age. It’s fun to go out and show as well as keep it in the family. I would like to help my cousin and other younger people with showing cattle in the future.”Currently a freshman at Marshall University, Nate plans to transfer to Eastern Kentucky University this fall to pursue a major in Construction Management.
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