Alberta steer named ‘Beef’ crowned world’s tallest by Guinness

An eight-year-old Holstein steer from southern Alberta has officially claimed the title of the world’s tallest steer, earning a coveted spot in the Guinness Book of World Records — and he’s still growing.

The towering bovine, aptly named Beef, weighs in at a hefty 2,400 pounds and stands nearly two meters tall, dwarfing the average Holstein by more than a foot and a half.

His owner, Jasmine Entz, says the record-breaking moment came as a surprise.

“I had no idea he could break a world record,” Entz said. “A friend showed me a post about the previous record holder — a steer that stood six feet one — and I realized Beef was taller. That’s when it clicked: we could be in the Guinness World Records.”

Beef’s gentle demeanour and colossal size have made him a local celebrity. He recently arrived in Calgary in a specially modified trailer, drawing crowds and admiration from passersby and fellow animals alike.

“When people see him in person, they’re blown away,” Entz said. “It’s like standing next to a truck.”

Richard Peter, one of many curious onlookers, echoed the sentiment.

“We saw him from a distance and thought he was probably the biggest cow we’d ever seen,” he said. “But as you get closer, he just keeps getting bigger — you feel like a child next to him.”

Since the official measurement was taken, Entz says, Beef has grown another inch and a half, further cementing his status as the tallest steer on record.

But despite his name, Beef won’t be headed to the dinner table. Instead, he’ll continue living a peaceful life filled with hay, companionship, and the pride of representing Alberta in the Guinness Book of World Records.

“I never thought I’d be in here,” Entz said, holding up the record book. “It makes me want to take it everywhere and show everyone — ‘Look, I’m in this book that everyone knows.’