In the rolling paddocks of Western Australia, a black and white Holstein Friesian stands like a skyscraper among single-story houses. Knickers, a steer of colossal proportions, faced the inevitable fate of almost all livestock: the slaughterhouse.
However, when his owner finally attempted to transport him to the processing facility, the workers encountered a mechanical impossibility. This is the true account of an animal whose sheer physical dimensions became his only lifeline, turning a routine trip to the abattoir into a global phenomenon.
A Bovine Behemoth in Myalup
Geoff Pearson, a third-generation cattle farmer in Myalup, south of Perth, originally bought Knickers to function as a “coach” animal. A coach is a steer introduced to the herd to lead other cattle and help them settle into life on the farm. While the majority of steers are sent to slaughter at the age of two or three, Knickers stayed behind to help manage the herd. He simply kept growing.
By the time he reached age seven in 2018, Knickers stood at a staggering 194 centimeters (6 feet 4 inches) to the shoulder. He weighed approximately 1,400 kilograms (3,086 pounds). To put this in perspective, he weighed more than a Mini Cooper and stood taller than NBA star Stephen Curry. While Holstein Friesians are naturally a large breed, Knickers grew to nearly double the weight of the average steer.
The Abattoir Rejection
The turning point in Knickers’ life came when Pearson decided it was finally time to sell him. The steer carried enough meat to produce over 4,000 hamburgers, making him a valuable asset. Pearson contacted the local meat processors to arrange the sale. The response was unexpected.
The abattoir managers informed Pearson that their heavy machinery simply could not handle an animal of Knickers’ magnitude. The processing chains, overhead rails, and stunning boxes were designed for standard cattle. Knickers was literally too tall to enter the facility and too heavy to hang on the rail system without causing a breakdown. The processors rejected him, stating he would be impossible to put through the operation.
An Unlikely Internet Sensation
With the slaughterhouse option off the table, Pearson decided Knickers would live out his natural days on the farm. In November 2018, the Australian media published photos of Knickers standing amidst a herd of Wagyu cattle. The visual contrast was jarring; the brown Wagyu cows looked like calves beside the black-and-white giant.
The images exploded across the internet. News outlets from the BBC to CNN picked up the story, and social media users marveled at the sheer scale of the animal. In a matter of days, this oversized steer from rural Australia was a trending topic worldwide, with reporters flocking to the Myalup feedlot to catch a glimpse of him.
The Gentle Giant’s Retirement
Today, Knickers continues his role on the Lake Preston feedlot. He has no special duties other than grazing and sleeping. His massive size prevents him from moving quickly, but he remains in good health for his age. He spends his time guiding the younger cattle, who naturally follow him around the paddock. By simply growing larger than the industrial system designed to process him, Knickers secured a permanent spot on the pasture, safe from the butcher’s blade.