Teen cattleman cleans up at Ontario Co. Fair
A 4-H’er since he was a boy, Travis Clark, 14, from Rushville, won Grand Champion 4-H Market Animal with his Simmental steer at the recent Ontario County Fair in Canandaigua, NY, and sold it at the show’s market auction for $7,000 (as well as a pig for $2,800).
He also won Reserve Champion 4-H Beef Female and Grand Champion 4-H Bred & Owned Market Animal.
As the owner of TW Cattle Co. on Clark Family Farm, the farm of his parents, Chris and Karen, Travis has worked hard to build his operation.
“I’ve been in shows since I was little,” he said. “We showed dairy when I was 3. We got into beef cows and I got into 4-H.”
Along with his animals, the family farm raises close to 40 head of cattle and 350 acres of crops, mostly corn, wheat and hay.
Travis is currently a member of FFA and the Ontario County district 4-H club. He also shows in an open show for the market auction, which he has participated in since it began in his district five years ago.
“I plan to invest my money from this and the previous auction into new pigs and cattle for next year,” Travis said. “I also want to buy a truck when I turn 16.”
His family raises beef for freezer sales, mostly on pasture and with some hay and grain. The family’s breeding goals include keeping the red genetics in the Simmental breed. Many people favor black coloring, but Travis said his family prefers red genetics and wants to keep the genes throughout their herd.
“Some of the most important things for picking our show cattle are their genetics,” Travis said. “We have one cow we bought in Pennsylvania years back and all our show cows we’ve had since came from her. She shows exceptionally well.
“Then we narrow it down by structure and how they walk, move and flow together. We want a flowing look, not chunky. We also look at how friendly they are. We’ve had some that are looney and we just keep them out in the pasture. We don’t show them.”
Of course, no cattle are ready for the show ring without some practice. Travis tries to stay consistent with them, starting when they’re young. It’s a challenge because he’s active in his school; however, “if you’re working with a cow and they’re doing well and you give them a week or two break, it’s like you never started with them,” he said.
He and his dad work on the show cows’ diet to help the animals look their healthiest. Grooming also matters.
“To get that show ring look, a lot of it is working with their hair and getting it so you can do with it whatever you want,” Travis said.
He’s learned a lot about showing and cattle care as a member of FFA and 4-H. Travis has served as the president of Junior FFA and won first place for public speaking at the state convention.
“Being a member has helped me build really good people skills and be confident about myself,” Travis said. “I started public speaking when I was 8 with 4-H. I’ve been good at that and 4-H and FFA have helped me get out there and find people.”
A freshman this autumn, Travis hopes to work with cattle full-time when he’s an adult. He advises anyone who wants to learn more about cows to “find a local farmer who might need a hand and go talk with him, learn from him and help him out. Get experience with him and find a way to get into 4-H and FFA to help build relationships with people who can help you get into the industry.”
