A young farmer’s journey in his first year of 4-H

It’s been a year of firsts for 15-year-old Travis Allan – his first year in 4-H, first experience raising a steer and his first time in the beef show ring.

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And the first thing he learned was that he was surrounded by a community of people who were eager to support him.

“I learned a lot this year from the people around me and from my own experiences,” says Allan, who lives in Salem, Ont.

He admits his steepest learning curve was just how much work and money it took to raise his 4-H project animal, a Speckle Park cross steer named Lester. Allan says he learned as he went, relying on guidance about everything from how to feed and care for a market animal, to how to train and fit his steer for the show ring.

Allan was inspired to join the Eramosa 4-H Beef Club in Wellington County by some friends and says it’s been a fun experience. He’s learned about the beef industry and how to show cattle, and says he’s especially enjoyed making new friends and the delicious snacks served at 4-H meetings. One of his 4-H leaders, Scott Bessey, also supported Allan by visiting him to check on his progress and lend him some show equipment.

Learn to do by doing

“It feels good to have people I can go to and ask for help or ask questions,” says Allan. “I had someone to reach out to at every step.”

Allan purchased his steer in the spring from a local farmer, Dave Bolger, who helped him during the year, advising on feed rations and general animal care. Bolger was also on call throughout the year, checking in on Allan’s success and cheering him on at the show.

Budgeting and realizing just how much it cost to raise a market animal were Allan’s greatest take-aways from the experience. He even got a summer job to pay for the feed. Allan says he also realized the importance of a routine, including feeding, health checks and training. His dad Jeff was his day-to-day go to for help and guidance.

Industry support

Allan’s goal this year was to exhibit his steer at the Rockton 4-H Finale Beef Show and Sale at the Rockton Fair, held on Thanksgiving weekend. This year’s event marked the sixth anniversary of the show and sale that began when the 4-H Queens Guinea’s Competition at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair ended.

“We recognize the importance of supporting youth in the Ontario beef industry,” says Amy Reinhart, Finale chair, explaining why the committee first started the event. “We needed somewhere for 4-H members to exhibit market cattle, so we organized the 4-H Finale Beef Show and Sale as an elite event.”

Without an opportunity like the Rockton finale show and sale, local 4-H members like Allan wouldn’t have the first-hand experience of raising a beef calf and understanding just what it takes to finish a market-ready animal for a local show and sale event.

The finale event is open to 4-H members in Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Oxford, Waterloo and Wellington counties and attracted 14 exhibitors this year. With the tagline, “Local 4-H Youth Promoting Ontario Beef,” Reinhart explains the finale organizing committee is committed to providing a positive experience for young beef enthusiasts like Allan, by hosting an event where members can exhibit their hard work and sell their 4-H market animals to local industry supporters.

Reinhart says the event has expanded over the years, and notes that the return for each participant, or price paid per pound, has also increased year after year, as support grows for the event.

Many of the same buyers return each year, including long-time supporters like Highland Packers, Norwich Packers, Burger Barn, St. Helen’s Meat Packers and the Ontario Livestock Exchange. Reinhart says that some of the long-standing supporters have even made the finale event a family tradition, bringing their family to enjoy a day at the Rockton Fair and capping it off by purchasing cattle at the sale.

“These kids are the future of our beef industry, and if we want to keep the Ontario beef sector thriving, we need to invest in the next generation,” says Norwich Packers manager and cattle buyer Matthew Heleniak who purchased multiple animals at this year’s event. He says his family is proud to support 4-H members at the sale and believes the event provides an opportunity for youth to enter into the industry.

First finale

Saturday October 12, 2024, marked the end of Allan’s 4-H journey this year. On top of everything he had already learned about raising his steer, he was also responsible for seeking buyers to support him at the sale.

Allan happened to be last in the sale order, and in an extra show of support, Highland Packers donated complimentary processing to the buyer of his steer. Tom Watson of Watson Land and Livestock Inc. in Branchton, Ont. purchased Allan’s steer that weighed in at 1,460 pounds.

As a Speckle Park breeder, Watson says he was impressed with Allan’s animal and was eager to support a young person interested in the breed. “We all have to do our part to support our youth,” notes Watson.

“Our buyers and supporters recognize the hard work that’s gone into raising each animal and the pride these 4-H kids have in selling their market animals as premium Ontario beef,” says Reinhart, who added this year’s event was another success, showcasing just how much the beef industry has to offer youth.

For Allan, the entire experience has been a success. He looked forward to seeing and caring for his steer every day, and will miss Lester, but says he’s eager to learn more and do it all over again next year with the help and support of his new community.