TX
Tracy’s passion for cattle sparked at a young age where he was active in 4-H showing cattle and grew up on a farm. Dave Jennison helped Tracy get started showing and clipping as a child. He later worked for Lavern Massman when Lavern was having sales. “Lavern gave me the opportunity to work for him. He showed me the ropes and taught me invaluable lessons for which I’ve always been thankful,” Tracy recalled. “Clipping was how I started out – I clipped a lot of sales all over the Midwest, including for Bob May, where I learned a lot.” Tracy also did a lot of clipping in Nebraska; where he became friends with Dave Stoltz. “I always hoped I would be able to clip half as well as he could!” Tracy spoke a lot about how much he admired and looked up to Davey. In 1996 and 1997, he and Barry Nowatzke hosted a sale together in Michigan City, Indiana. In 1998, Tracy decided to try to sell a few calves out of his home in Russell, Iowa, where he has had his annual fall sale ever since. ▪
FAVORITE PART OF WHAT HE DOES...
...being able to make a living doing what he loves to do. He loves going to shows with his daughter Macey and looks forward to when his son Cash is old enough to show.
BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT...
...the overall accomplishment is just being able to do it. He is thankful that Goretska Show Steers has had some success over the years.
ADVICE FOR OTHERS...
...Work hard. Take small steps – it doesn’t happen overnight. Don’t get discouraged.
FUTURE GOALS...
...to continue to sell the highest quality of cattle we can.
BARRY NOWATZKE, IN-
I have known Tracy for over 25 years. I have been associated with him on many different levels - from competitor to co-worker to partner and mostly as a friend. From the first time I worked with Tracy, it was clear to me that he had such a passion that he will settle for nothing less than perfection. With that passion and unparalleled talent, he is nearly unmatched in the Show Steer Industry for his ability to find them, sell them, fit them, and make them win. There are few that have the ability to do those things on the level Tracy does, let alone do all those things on that level. The mark he has made on the Show steer Industry will be everlasting.
There are a lot of young fitters and clippers that look up to Tracy and want to clip like him. Good luck with that! LOL! We all know Tracy is a great clipper. What everyone needs to know is that that is only a small reason why he is so successful. His work ethic is second to none. He always pays attention to the little things that some people take for granted. He conducts his business as a professional and has earned the respect from his peers and customers by doing so.He is the kind of positive role model we need in today’s society. ▪
WADE RODGERS, IA-
I’ve known Tracy since I was about the age of 15. He is someone that I have always looked up to. It was constantly my hope that I could someday be able to achieve the talents of presenting show cattle at the level of quality that he can. Tracy has a very good eye for cattle and an unmatched work ethic. He is a true example of how doing honest and truthful business will lead to success. I’m very fortunate to have been able to meet and role model myself after several great people in the show cattle industry at a young age. After all of the people I’ve had the pleasure of doing business with in my short time, he’s still at the top of the list!! ▪