Youth Feature

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working with Len Vis of Mapelwood Holsteins. Jack worked on the farm for two to three years and went to bigger shows like the Royal, all the while continuing to learn from Len. “Len taught me the finer By chance one day, a young Jack happened to attend a local 4-H show where his cousins were showing their calves. He was instantly hooked. “As soon as I was old enough, I started showing,” says Jack. IIT MAY HAVE BEEN DESTINY THAT HAD A HAND IN BRINGING JACK MELIA TO THE DAIRY WORLD.

“It fast became my entire life.” points of getting cattle from the barn to the ring,” says Jack. Len Vis

Neither Jack nor his cousins had any experience with dairy calves also introduced Jack to the folks at Vogue Cattle Company. until 4-H. It happened that his aunt was friends with 4-H leader Following his time with Mapelwood and Vogue, Jack was the

Martina Arth and that’s how his cousins got involved, followed by herdsman for Joe Russworm and learned about boarding high end him. “Sports were the biggest part of my life. Once I started showing show cattle. Unfortunately, with that year being the first of COVID, calves, sports petered out quickly,” laughs Jack. “It was eat, sleep, most shows were canceled. breathe sports, then it was dairy cattle.” He hasn’t missed a year in the dairy club since he joined, now in his ninth year for 2022. In 2021, Jack took the skills he’s gained over the years and went on his own boarding 15-20 in Len Vis’s old recipient barn. In his

Growing up on a rural property near Lynden, Ont., the logical place time at Summitholm, he saw how an extremely well-managed dairy to get a 4-H calf for the first few years was at Summitholm Holsteins, operation can be so successful and learned a lot from one of the top run by the Loewith family. This led to Jack’s first part-time job. “I managed dairy farms in the country. It has proven to be extremely was there all the time anyway leading calves and helping out, so they valuable for him. “At Summitholm, I learned 95 per cent of my started paying me,” joked Jack. He fed calves there for about seven management and cow knowledge. I apply that and the knowledge years. He also chased cows for milking, cleaned stalls, milked and I’ve gained from my other mentors on the show side to get the best helped with cropping over they years. As he got older, he gained out of my clients’ calves and my own,” says Jack. more responsibility. Jack continues his quest for knowledge and is now learning from

Jack has been extremely lucky to have some top players in the dairy David Dyment, currently boarding cattle for him as well. and showing world act as mentors for him. That mentorship has played a key role in Jack developing his skills and success within the 4-H program and his career. At 13 years of age, in his third year of 4-H, Jack’s first big mentor was Jeff Stephens. “He took me on, taking me to the bigger shows. He helped me fine-tune my skills in showmanship and getting animals ready.” Jack would go on to work Alongside his boarding, buying and selling and fitting career Jack now has his dream job. After helping with social media for a year and a half, he is now the Director of Marketing and Sales for online bull company AG3, owned by David Dyment. “I’ve always been able to talk to people and sell. Now I get to do that for a job,” says Jack. with Jeff for four to five years. While some 4-H members want a high-type calf to try to win

Jack’s next big mentorship opportunity came when he started conformation classes, Jack wants to reach his highest potential in

PHOTOS 1. Jack helps prepare calves for the Spring Sensation Sale at Oakfield Corners, in spring 2022 in Oakfield, NY, 2. Jack (left) with his friend Tyler Gunby in 2014 at the West Niagara Fair. The calf is his 3rd 4-H project, Summitholm Liquid Gold Rapscallion, 3. 2021 At the BrantWentworth Holstein Show in Paris, Ont., with Fraeland Solomon Frost, 4. Jack uses his marketing talents while taking photos for Cowsmopolitan at The Western Spring National Holstein show in Richmond, Utah. PHOTO 1

BY ANDREW HETKE PHOTOGRAPHY, PHOTO 2 SUBMITTED, PHOTO 3 BY CLAIRE SWALE, PHOTO 4 BY THE BULLVINE. “Never stop trying to learn; there is always something you can take away. Be passionate and be persistent. Do what you want to do, not what others want you to do. And most importantly, follow your dreams.”

- JACK MELIA

showmanship. “My biggest focus point since I started has been showmanship, always wanting to be the best,” he says. “My favourite part of it is working with the calf at home and getting to know her on a personal level.” He has done well over the years at Wentworth County shows, being Champion Showperson a number of times and winning the various age groups. This has led him to representing his county at the TD Canadian 4-H Dairy Classic, where he has consistently placed close to 10th in showmanship the three times he has participated. His goal for this year and next is to win his class in showmanship and be Champion Showperson. “I don’t like being the centre of attention, but I love being in the centre of the ring.” Judging has been another key factor of Jack’s 4-H career as well. It started with his mentor Jeff Stephens. “I’d clip off the best three calves in the pen and Jeff would come and quiz why I liked them, and we’d talk through it,” says Jack. “It was a mini class to pick my 4-H calf!” Every year he’s had a goal of going to the Intercounty Judging Competition and doing well. He would like to pursue becoming an official judge in the future.

Speaking of mentors, Martina Arth, his 4-H club leader since he started, has been pretty influential. “She always takes the time to help you if you have questions,” says Jack. “She’s been a great mentor and role model for me as well.”

One memorable calf Jack had was in 2019, a nice intermediate calf Mapelwood Doorman Beauty. She did well on the local level placing in the top two in her class all year long and was pulled out for Champion Calf at the Eastgen Challenge. Currently, there is a huge demand for fitters. Having always clipped his own 4-H calf, he now does it professionally as well. “Learn how to clip,” he says to younger 4-H members. “You can go a lot of places. That clipper bag is your passport. If you can clip well or know how to get a cow ready you can go anywhere.” For the last two to three years, Jack has been going to the United States clipping and working at shows. He’s experienced the various aspects of the US dairy industry. “It’s a big world out there,” says Jack. “I find it very cool how one industry can be so profitable with so many different ways of doing things. I was in Utah in March, and they just have a roof, and the cows live in a yard. Compare that to New York state where they have such different styles of barns. Cattle breeders can be successful in so many different ways.” When asked what his plans are for the future, Jack says he would like to continue showing cattle and being involved in the industry. “Showing is my biggest passion. I like the path that I’m currently on. I love it so much and don’t see myself changing.” Jack knows he wouldn’t be where he is today without his various mentors. “I would not be here without any of them, and I don’t know what I’d be doing. They taught me what to, what not to do and the passion for showing dairy cattle, any breed.” Jack’s now at the place in the 4-H program where he is a mentor to younger members. He likes teaching young people who are passionate about the same things he is. His advice to them is don’t be afraid to ask questions. “Never stop trying to learn; there is always something you can take away. Be passionate and be persistent. Do what you want to do, not what others want you to do. And most importantly, follow your dreams.”