Tanner and Kerre Clark have a thriving farm and business, and promote the ag industry
AVA, MO. – A mutual friend introduced Tanner Clark and Kerre Shrable in high school. After the introduction and a dating period, the two were married while they both were attending college. Tanner received his degree in animal science from Missouri State University, while Kerre received her degree in agronomy from MSU. After college, they continued working with their families.
Fast forward 12 years and Tanner and Kerre are still in the agriculture community helping their parents, raising their three children, and being ambassadors on local, state and national levels.
Kerre and Tanner, along with their kids, Flint, Tenley and Dalley, live on the 450-acre CF Cattle Company ranch in Douglas County, Mo. Tanner, the ranch manager, oversees the registered and commercial Angus herd of 200 cow/calf pairs, in addition to approximately 125 bred heifers and yearlings, depending on the time of the year.
Kerre said their herd improvement plan is continuous, as they look to select the best bulls to breed with their cows looking for desirable traits that lead the beef industry, ranking their cows near the top for calving ease, weaning weights and carcass data. Kerre explained their marketing strategies include retained ownership of calves in the feedlot, selling directly to the consumer, value-added sales and private treaty seedstock replacements.
Over the years, the Clarks have incorporated rotational grazing systems into their existing pastures. By doing this, they hope to better utilize what pasture is available and to get more production out of the same ground. The cattle will have access to consistent and clean water sources year-round, thanks to the addition of tire tanks in pastures.
In addition to their farming responsibilities, Tanner and Kerre were nominated to serve on the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers (AFBF YF&R) committee for the 2021-2022 year.
Tanner sits on the Leadership Subcommittee.
“With this role, I assist with planning the YF&R Conference this year,” Tanner explained of the conference, which will be held in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 25-28, 2022. “Conference planning includes breakout sessions/activities, working to gather a group of well-diversified speakers and speakers who will pique everyone’s interest.”
The chosen activities will also allow attendees to see what Louisville offers while learning about agriculture in a different part of the country.
Kerre serves on the Promotions Subcommittee.
“I get the chance to assist with social media posts and advertising,” Kerre said. “I also had the opportunity to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis and was able to share the opportunities that YF&R has for the FFA kids.”
The couple said serving on the AFBF YF&R Committee has provided many opportunities to learn more about agriculture from around the country and has allowed them to meet new people and learn better ways to advocate for farmers and ranchers.
“I was able to meet a group of people through a monthly AFBF YF&R Connect Call from Abbyvillle, La..” Tanner recalled. “I, along with other chaperones, took a group of students from the Ava FFA Chapter to Texas and Louisiana to learn about agriculture in a very different way. They were able to visit farms with sugarcane, crawfish, alligators and rice. Those are not commodities you will see being farmed in Douglas County, Mo.”
At the encouragement of a friend, Tanner and Kerre became involved at the county level of Farm Bureau six years ago. In the latter part of 2018, they were nominated to be part of the Missouri Farm Bureau State Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee.
“It has been a unique experience, and we have both learned a lot, as well as having made several new friendships we believe will last a lifetime,” Kerre said. “Tanner was elected to be the Missouri State YF & R Committee Chair for 2020. He enjoyed getting to know many people from home, office, neighboring counties and state politicians.”
The Clarks involvement with agriculture and their dedication to the future of agriculture led to the start of the Ava FFA Booster club in 2017. The club has had tremendous success in the last four years by hosting a silent/live auction and dinner in September.
“Funding raised has helped provide meals for FFA members on judging trips, extend helping hands when needed, provide scholarships for graduating seniors, fund ag industry tours and assist with many other activities to benefit the chapter,” Terry said, adding that Kerre has served as the Booster Club President since the start.
In addition to their family farm and their Farm Bureau duties, Kerre and Tanner purchased Shrable Fertilizer and Feed in January from Kerre parents Jeff and Jo Shrable.
This year Shrable Fertilizer and Feed marks 14 years in business. They stay busy all the time.
They are also very active with activities in their church and keeping up with their children.
“All three of our kids enjoy being with us as we work on the farm and at the fertilizer plant,” Kerre said. “They are each very different and show lots of interest. We hope they will grow into eager and hard workers.”
