Month: April 2021

Warning

I would like to start by saying, not all pig owners are like this, I would say it’s a minority that behaves the way I’m about to describe. I have seen this every year I´ve shown, and I expect to keep seeing it. If you are sensitive to reading about abuse, I do not recommend reading further. This is what is expected of a person selling pigs, http://counties.agrilife.org/liveoak/files/2011/07/PorkQualityAssurance_36.pdf

Abuse

Some people are not very kind to their pigs. Some people hit their pigs hard, some hit their pigs when it’s unnecessary, and some don´t give their pigs basic necessities. Every now and then you’ll see a pig with welts on it from the owner whipping it too hard. It’s common to see a person kick their pig, usually it’ll be in the face. I´ve witnessed people not give their pig food or water enough. Some people don´t clean the pen and shavings out often enough or at all. At the fairgrounds, everyone gets the same size pen, but at someone’s personal barn it’s different. There are people who do not give their pig a healthy amount of room to live.

Food

Everyone makes a different mix of feed. Most people use, pig feed, whole kernel corn, oats, and other nutritional foods. The mix is based on the pig’s weight, the proximity to the fair, and what the it looks like. A good-looking pig will have a big belly but no bloated, to accomplish this you’ll use a filler (ex. oats). As a treat, people might feed their pigs eggs and marshmallows. Pigs will eat anything you give them, edible or not.

The Look

Your pig must be over two hundred pounds and under three hundred to enter in fair. It should have a balance of lean (muscle) and fat. Some people do everything they can to accomplish this balance, including the use of steroids. At fair, you´ll see people with several tubs of steroids, protein powder, and other substances. This can be harmful, because it can cause heart defects. It seems healthy and unnatural to try to bulk up your pig and let people eat it.

The End

When the fair is over, your pig goes to the butcher truck. I watched my pig go my first year and I´ve never stayed in the barn when pigs are being taken after that. I´ll see it happening though when I´m walking by. Your pig gets a stripe spray-painted on its back, letting the workers know to take it. The worker will open the gate and hopefully, your pig runs out towards the truck. If not the worker will herd the pig out and whip/hit it to the truck. It doesn´t sound bad, but the workers are not gentle at all. They hit the pig as hard as they can and will pull it on the truck by itś ears. Of course, the pigs are screaming the whole time this is happening, so it´s very traumatic.

Conclusion

This is something as a pig shower you have to decide you´re comfortable with or learn to live with it. It´s something I deal with almost every time I´m with another person who shows pigs. It´s not easy and I still get very upset when I witness this abuse, but it’s a price I pay to have the experience I do.

Bathing

Before you show, I highly recommend watching some shows. This shows what the judge is looking for, which helps you know what to do in the ring. Bathe your pig about an hour or so before your showtime. There is pig shampoo and a specific shampoo for ‘white’ or ‘pink’ pigs (http://www.tizwhizfeeds.com/ this is where I buy all supplies). There are bathing stalls in the barn, you have to bring your own washing things. Including a hose or showerhead of some sort, you’ll screw your hose on the water spout. To bathe, start with water, add shampoo on, and start scrubbing with your brush.

Before Entering the Ring

When finished, walk your pig back to its stall, you’ll get it back out less than a half-hour before the show. Between this time change into your show clothes, most judges prefer the ‘old school’ look. Which includes boot cut jeans, leather boots, a long sleeve flannel, and your hair out of your face. I usually tuck my shirt into my jeans and put my hair in some sort of braid. When you get a show number, pin it to your back. Take your pig out and walk it around the barn to loosen up its joints. Bring a spray bottle of water with you when walking to the holding pens. When your group/name is called walk your pig into the holding pen and spray it down. Brush off any shavings, dirt, or poop.

Entering the Ring

Once someone lets you out of the holding pen walk your pig into the ring. Hit your pig on its jowl (chin/neck area) with your whip or pipe, this makes its head stay up and moving where you direct. Most people prefer a whip, but some people use a hollow pipe, it’s up to you. Your stance should be a little crouched, and constantly make eye contact with the judge. Stay off the walls, away from crowds, and get close to the judge. Never get between the judge and your pig, stay on the side of your pig. You want to make sure the judge sees the front, both sides, and back of your pig.

Walking Your Pig

For the most part, your pig will want to walk/run around, so all you have to do is use your whip/pipe to direct it. Occasionally your pig will stop moving, you can use your whip/pipe to try to get it to move. If it doesn’t move, use your knee to slightly push it. You could also put your hand on its back and making a hissing noise. Remember, while showing the judge may ask you a question. Questions I’ve heard before are, ‘what is your favorite/least favorite thing about your pig?’ or ‘what would you change about your pig?’

Penning

The judge will start to pen, this might mean you’re receiving a ribbon. You’ll know by which pen your sent to, there are 10. Depending on the judge, if you are not penned you won’t receive a ribbon. Being penned could mean your one of the top 5 to get a ribbon. Each judge is different so pen 1 might be best or 10 could be the best. You won’t know unless you watch the judge earlier.

Ribbons

You’ll be brought out of the pen (if you were in one), if you were in the bottom 5, you will be let out of the ring. If let out, walk your pig to your stall and be done until your next show. If you were in the top 5, the judge will continue to judge. One by one they will pick a pig, the person showing the pig will be given a ribbon. The first one to receive a ribbon will be 5th place and so on until there are two left. The two left will be awarded Reserved Champion and Grande Champion. The judge will grab a microphone and tell their thoughts on the pigs. Once again, you will walk your pig to your stall and be done until your next show.

My name is Abby, I’m from the birthplace of 4h, and I am an expert on showing pigs. I am in my seventh year of 4h, I’m seventeen and I joined when I was eleven. I first showed a pig in my third year of 4h, when I was fourteen. The next year I showed my dog, but every year after that I’ve shown pigs. When showing pigs for 4h, you will buy one from a breeder at an auction or from their barn. You should be purchasing your pig around the beginning of April and pigs should be off fairgrounds by late July. If you’re sending your pigs to the butcher, the fair workers will take the pigs. If you’re keeping your pig, to breed or keep as a pet, then you take your pig home yourself.

Being a 4h Member and Judging

4h member must join a club, some clubs are for specific projects, others are for a variety of projects. At club meetings, you can ask questions and discuss what you need to do for your project and how to do it. My club helps me prepare to show my pigs, if I had any questions I could ask my club. You must complete a project book to show your pig, this book shows judges your knowledge of pigs. Once you’ve been judged you get a ribbon, I have several Grade A ribbons for my project books. While showing your pig in the ring, the judge may ask you questions. These questions may be about showing or about your pig specifically, so it’s best to have an answer ready.

Pork Producer Certification

Before you show certain animals you have to get certifications. I had to be certified for the title of pork producer in order to show pigs. Getting the title of pork producer is something you must do every two years. It isn’t hard to get certified, you just show up to a pork producer clinic, provided by 4h, and participate. At the clinic, a certified pork producer will go through a presentation about properly taking care of pigs. They will ask questions throughout the presentation and might give you a short test at the end. If you participate, by answering questions, and pass the test, if given one, you get your certification.

I keep my pigs at a pig farm, the owner of the farm, Mark, has raised, shown, and bred many state champion pigs. Mark, my club, and many members of the 4h pig community have helped me become the expert I am today.

4H website (Clark County specific)- https://clark.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development