Abby Rohrer is a senior at Springfield-Clark CTC where she specializes in Digital Media Design. Creating designs is her biggest passion, making logos for businesses, designs for clothing, and designs for posters, are just some things she works on. Her company, Your Vision, is how clients can reach out to her and ask for designs. Abby has been creating things since she was a young child, and has fine-tuned those skills through CTC. She hopes to continue to create professionally and satisfy customers with her work.
If you would like to learn more about a market pig(s), you can look into downloading this book linked below. The book’s key point is butchering your pig(s) and selling your pig(s) to be butchered. The different types of cuts you can get from a pig is something I must know for skill-a-thon. I must also know what lean, muscular, and fatty cuts look like. When raising a market pig(s), the end goal is to have a healthy amount of each type of cut.
To learn the top 10 things to do before and during the fair, listen to my podcast linked below. This list of things is something I wish I had as a beginner and things I use every year. It includes tips for raising your pig(s) and for show week, things I had to learn the hard way so you don’t have to. Some of the tips apply to the pig(s) and others apply to you as a competitor. I have been a member of 4H for 8 years, and have been showing swine for 5 years.
There are many different pig breeds, all have poor eyesight, but a great sense of smell. Their nose is sensitive, but they use it as a tool to root (dig in the dirt). https://www.livestockoftheworld.com/pigs/
Sex of Pigs
I have been using the word pig(s), but the term swine is interchangeable. Hog usually refers to a domestic pig over 120 lbs. Boars are wild pigs or uncastrated male pigs, male pigs are barrows. Female pigs are gilts, and a sow is a female pig who has reproduced. Domestic pigs have bred so many times it’s rare to see one with tusks. Piglets with tusks will have them removed or trimmed once or twice a year. Most people have them removed so the pig doesn’t hurt itself, other pigs, or people. You can tell the difference between a male and a female pig because males have a seeth, while females have vulvas. A seeth is between the male’s legs and a vulva is on a female’s rear.
Female pigs go into heat, so you want to make sure this happens before you go to the fair. The term ‘heat’ refers to the period in which female pigs are ready to reproduce. You should practice loading up your pigs on your trailer and taking a drive a week before the fair. Pigs are less startled when you load them up to leave, and you know the most effective way to load them. I bring this up because this can put your gilt in heat. You want this to happen before the fair so your gilt (most female show pigs will be gilts not sows) shows well. During heat, your gilt won’t want to move and its body temperature will rise.
Breeds
There are twelve recognized domestic pig breeds that can be shown in 4H. These are, Herford, Duroc, Hampshire, Berkshire, Tamworth, Poland China, Pietrain, Landrace, Yorkshire, Chester, and Spotted. There are other breeds such as potbelly or mini, but there’s not a show for these breeds. The difference between these breeds is mostly physical appearance, but certain pigs have greater capabilities than others. For example, Berkshires have a good memory and facial recognition, so you have to be extra patient with them. Some think a certain breed shows better or tastes better, but that’s opinion-based.
I show pigs because I think it’s an important life experience. It shows you the responsibility of raising an animal and the challenge of doing things on your own. It prepares you for research projects at school because you must learn about the pig for your project book. Also, that applies to science and math because you write down how much things cost. It’s like an experiment or equation, so you can estimate how much you’ll spend each year. It gives you connections because you become a part of the community and you ask people for financial support. It shows you how to respectfully talk to people about business. I think it helps show you what career you want in life, in terms of manual labor or something less physical.
Why pigs?
I specifically like pigs because they remind me so much of dogs. They want to roll in the mud, run, and be pet (https://youtu.be/xeew7JmhdM4). By the way, pigs roll in the mud to cool down, because they don’t have sweat glands. You must bathe them, they let you know when they’re hungry, and they’re usually hard to walk. I feel as though I form connections with my pigs. They know the difference between people and they have a preference. In the past, it’s seemed as though they care for me. I only like to have animals that care for me as I care for them, and pigs fulfill that. They each have their own personality and like different things. Like a puppy, if you teach them something young, they’ll remember it. This could apply to other farm animals, but I think pigs are a perfect size and maintenance level.
Although I know each year they’re not coming home with me, and they’ll be brutally dragged off to the butcher, I cry every year. Like I previously stated, I form a connection with my pigs, they have no idea what’s about to happen, and I feel as if I’ve betrayed them. Pigs can get on your nerves and seem like they have no brain, but they really are just like every other pet. That’s why I show pigs.
My hero in the 4h pig community is a pig breeder, Mark Waddle. I met him through his wife, who is my mom’s cousin. Mark is one of the big three pig farmers in Clark County. He has lived on and taken care of a farm his whole life, which originally was a cow farm. When Mark took over the family farm he turned it into a pig farm, so now there are many breeding pigs. In one barn he keeps pigs to breed, these pigs are about four feet tall on all fours. In another barn, Mark keeps the fair pigs, since they will only be on the property for a couple of months. That barn was recently built, so it has everything you could need to take care of a pig.
Mark’s Involvement
Each year I buy a pig from him, and he has generously let me keep my pigs in his barn. I also buy a pig from a different pig farmer, who breeds a specific breed, and Mark doesn’t mind. He has taught me a lot of tips on how to show a pig and take care of one. Such as, keeping the water and food up so the pig’s head stays up when showing. Also, sometimes the judge wants you to shake their hand when entering/exiting the ring. His knowledge of pigs and experience have made him a great mentor. Mark really cares about each of his pigs and wants to see them live a good life. He stays with each of his pigs as long as he can and insures they look/show the best they possibly can.
The Waddle family, as a whole, has been very kind to me and really helped me be in the position of pig showing I am today.
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.
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.
