For 18-year-old Brandon Wyatt of rural Ogden, hard work and constant care of his steers, Rosco and Leroy, has paid off big.

Roscoe, a 1,321-pound Chianina steer, won Grand Champion honors at this year's Illinois State Fair and was sold at auction for $35,000. Leroy, a Shorthorn steer, also took first in his class, earning a spot in the Grand Champion Drive.

Wyatt's initial goal when he started showing steers six or seven years ago was more modest:

"When I started, I told myself I just wanted to be in the Grand Champion Drive one time," Wyatt said. "I had no idea this was going to happen, so it was kind of shocking."

Success with his animals is the result of a strong commitment.

"If you set yourself a certain goal and work for it," Wyatt said, "it's more likely to happen if you put hard work in it."

And work he did. Wyatt bought Roscoe and Leroy as calves last year from Zach Gray of Gilman, who also provided guidance for care and feeding of the animals over the course of the year.

Wyatt raised the steer on his family's farm. During last school year, Wyatt was up each day at 5:30 a.m. to tend his animals, followed by a full day of school, work starting at 3 p.m., then home to take care of animals, followed by a visit to his girlfriend, and finally home to do homework.

During the summer months, Wyatt would groom his steers two to three times a day, to ensure a high-quality coat. During the hot days, the steers were kept in the barn under fans, to promote hair growth. For each grooming, Wyatt rinsed and blew out their hair, worked the hair with a comb, trimmed it as necessary, and applied conditioner.

Diet is the most important consideration for healthy steers, said Wyatt. His animals were fed a mix of cracked corn, oats, barley and cotton seed hull, with medications to keep them healthy.

Wyatt also practiced show moves regularly with Roscoe, getting him accustomed to the appropriate walk and stance for showing.

Roscoe and Leroy were already experienced show animals by the state fair. Wyatt took them to a number of competitions this year in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, earning first in class in just about all of his entries.

"It's a good feeling that all the hard work paid off," Wyatt said.

Wyatt is a graduate of St. Joseph-Ogden High School where he was an active FFA member. He currently attends Parkland College, where he is working toward an associate's degree in agricultural business. He is a 10-year member of the Royal Ag 4H Club out of Royal, and will be eligible for the Illinois State Fair one more year before he becomes too old.

Wyatt continues to work for a local farmer as a hired hand. He works with cattle, helps with equipment preparation and other chores. He said with such a busy schedule, it is a big help to have a supportive family behind him. Wyatt's mother and stepfather, Lori and Greg Frerichs, and his 11-year old brother, Trevor Frerichs, tended the animals on those days when Wyatt couldn't.

Roscoe was purchased by Dr. Margaret MacGregor of Auburn and donated to the University of Illinois to be processed and sold at the Salute to Ag Day Illini football game on Nov. 13. Wyatt said he will use his 80 percent share of the winnings from the sale of Roscoe to finance his education. The remaining 20 percent will be split between the FFA and 4H.

"It's good to be known to have the best steer in the state of Illinois this year," Wyatt said.