PALMETTO, Fla. — Maverick the steer likes a clean coat and the cool off that comes with a wash down.

Every day after school, 16-year-old Mason Huttinger is in his grandparents' Palmetto field taking care of him.

“I work with him, I spend my time with him. Like talking to him. Saying his name,” said Huttinger, a Manatee County Home Grown Heritage 4-H Club member.

Huttinger got Maverick last summer, with the goal of growing the best-tasting beef and the shiniest hide in Manatee County by the week of the county fair.

Every day since June of 2022, he’s washed and cared for this animal. Maverick has nearly doubled in size for the big show and beef auction.

“I think it’s good it’s going to someone who will eat it and not waste it,” said Huttinger. “And it’s good for me – helping someone else.”

That’s right. Maverick is a walking steak and a throw rug.

After his shampoo and rinse, it’s blow-out time. It can take 45-minutes to dry Maverick.

Huttinger says it’s part of the care he needs.

“He doesn’t get sick and he feels much better,” said Huttinger.

Plus Maverick gets a special hair conditioner — more product than Huttinger uses on his own hair.

And more brushing.

“I brush him up to keep the hair growing up,” explained Huttinger.

Darkness falls as Huttinger finishes caring for Maverick, and Huttinger guides Maverick to his pen.

“I’m ready to put him in his stance and feed him, and he goes to bed,” said Huttinger.

The stance is the pose for fair judging.

Maverick’s reward: a barley-based supper with a big side helping of hay. He eats 23 pounds of it a day.

Huttinger hopes his investment will win Maverick “Overall Supreme Beef Breeding Champion.”

But Maverick’s already given him a bigger prize — his ideals as a future farmer.

“He’s going to a family that will love him and feed their kids.”

Happy steer equals a good meal.