A Boy and His Cow

It’s been some time since Edina was farmland, but that hasn’t stopped one local teen from learning what it takes to raise a dairy cow. And now he’s got two blue ribbons to prove it.   

9th-grader Thor Steinhagen took his cow Scarlett, a red Holstein, to the Minnesota State Fair for the second year in a row. Progressing to the State Fair from the Scott County Fair two years in a row and earning a blue ribbon both times, both Scarlett and Thor have much to be proud of.   

As part of participating with 4H at the Fair, Thor and some 800 others stayed in 4H dorms for the first five days of the massive event. The livestock show ran for the Fair’s first four days.

In the days before the judging, Thor admitted he was hoping for a blue ribbon again this year but also said he’s “not that picky at the State Fair,” explaining it’s an honor simply to be chosen to continue on from the Scott County Fair. 

Scarlett lives at Thor’s uncle’s farm in Belle Plaine, where Thor works twice a week. When he was younger, Thor helped feed the calves and today his chores include bailing hay and driving the tractor. And while it may sound unlikely that a 15-year-old would voluntarily do chores, Thor said he enjoys the work and especially enjoys walking with Scarlett. 

Thor said he first met Scarlett when she was 500 pounds—or about 6 months old, for those unfamiliar with how rapidly a cow gets to that weight. It was at that time Thor began to pet and tame Scarlett, getting her comfortable around people and ready to compete at fairs. Now weighing in at more than 1,100 pounds, Scarlett is pregnant and will give birth to her first calf in the next three to four months. 

It’s safe to say Thor was successful in priming Scarlett, not only because he’s been able to take her to both the Scott County and State Fairs these past two years, but because of the relationship he’s forged with the cow. When Thor goes to his uncle’s farm to work, Scarlett will often walk up to greet him.

Scarlett is an especially laid-back cow, according to Thor. So much so, in fact, that she will let him hop up on her back and ride her. 

There is no cow-back riding during the 4H dairy cattle competition, however. The judging, which was done on Saturday, focused on the appearance and health of the cattle. 

“It’s a beauty contest for cows,” Dan Steinhagen said.

In that beauty contest, one thing Scarlett has going for her is her unique coloring. Steinhagen explained that the red coat is a recessive gene; most Holsteins are black and white. Thor added it’s also important to fluff the end of Scarlett’s tail for judging.

Thor wasn’t the only Steinhagen with an invite to the State Fair. His older sister Nora, an senior, participated in Saturday’s marching band parade.