The Big Bull at the 2023 Iowa State Fair is Mean Gene, a four-year-old Charolais from New Virginia Iowa. Mean Gene weighed in at 3,060 pounds in the big bull contest to claim the title as the heaviest bull at this year’s fair. Despite his size and menacing name, owner Jerry Bedwell says Gene has a softer side than you might think.
The Big Bull competition typically features several Black Angus competitors making Gene a somewhat unique winner. Add in his curly hair on his head and lighter Charolais coloring and Gene stands out quite easily in a crowd.
The Super Bull exhibit is located just inside the cattle barn entrance and is a major draw for fairgoers each day. Jerry Bedwell’s daughter Ally says that the Super Bull is a great way to get those outside of agriculture interested and capture their attention.
Jerry says that this year’s win is extra special because he has a family connection to the Super Bull contest. His father is a previous contest winner.
Justin Robbins of Scranton claimed second place in the 2023 Super Bull contest with the 2,762-pound Angus bull, “Tug Boat.”
