There are certain things an exhibitor should not leave home without. Ashtin and Nalaney Guyer are pros at packing for shows, and have taken the time to share a few of their packing tips.
Presentation is everything, says Adam Crouch. Whether a show pig is in or outside of the ring, Crouch says it should be kept clean and fresh to give it the appearance of a champion.
When the Oldenberg family arrives at a livestock show, the first thing their travel crew decides is where to set up the kitchen. This decision is as essential as the tack and stalling location for them.
When it comes to breeding sows, timing is everything. And when it comes to equipment a breeder should choose the type of rod that fits their comfort level.
Sounds simple, right? Yet there are many factors that affect the type of rod a breeder can choose. Showpig.com visited with D.J. Sanders, sales manager for Reproductive Provisions, to get the scoop on what to use and when.
For the 7,000 youth who exhibited at this year’s event, only the breed champions experience the stage-like atmosphere that being in the Grand Drive offers. This year’s Grand Champion Market Barrow exhibitor can testify to the amazing feeling of being a top winner at OYE.
“What is your best pig in the offering?” or “Which pigs would you consider the top five in this sale?”
These are some of the most common questions that breeders receive when talking to buyers about their online sale offering. However, the answers to these questions are not as simple as one might think. Providing the seller with some basic information about your goals, budget and expectations can lead to a much better answer and ultimately provide you with the best pig for your specific needs.
Showing pigs is what Taylor Norris loves to do. When she was younger Norris tried gymnastics and still manages to play a little basketball in the winter. But this Honey Grove, Texas, girl has spent numerous hours in the show barn, and on the weekend of February 26, 2016, those hours paid off.
Russell Pedrett has been around show pigs since he joined 4-H at the age of 9. He purchased sows for his project, and by the time he graduated high school he had 30 sows to manage. Pedrett says pigs are all he knows, and they led him to his current career of working for Ottenwalter Show Pigs in Colusa, California.
WPX Keeps Growing
The World Pork Expo is the Super Bowl of the show pig season, bringing families and their show pig projects from all corners of the United States to Des Moines, Iowa, in early June. The WPX has seen major growth in numbers and foot traffic during the past five years, but last year its growth exploded. Brian Arnold, who oversees events for the National Swine Registry, says NSR anticipated growth, but never would have guessed how big it would be. In 2015 there were 4,000 junior hogs entered and 2,200 exhibited. In the open show, another 778 gilts were shown, making the event just shy of 5,000 hogs and the largest swine show of the year.
It’s the Super Bowl of the swine industry. The week-long event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds includes junior swine shows, open pig shows and sales, a huge trade show and international visitors. It’s a chance to build business relationships, rekindle friendships, conduct business and have fun. One week may not be long enough, for this granddaddy of an event that takes place each June. But, what is this event?
When it comes to raising show pigs, and getting them ready to sell, there is no substitute for time. Jennifer Slagle believes that time is the best resource they have in preparing their pigs for sale.
Blake Logan entered the show ring hoping to win his class. Two hours later, he was showing for Grand Champion Market Hog at the 2016 National Western Stock Show.
Stohlquist Show Pigs originated from a 10-sow, father son 4-H project that, at one time, was second priority to a herd of Registered Holsteins. Ryan and his wife, Vicky, both grew up on a Dairy farm and shared the passion of showing dairy cattle. To this day, Ryan credits his success to the strong work ethics he built being raised on a dairy farm. Today, Stohlquist Show Pigs, located in Poplar Grove, Illinois, farrows 150 sows and has 15 boars in stud. Ryan says there is no doubt in his mind that they are working with the very best families in the industry and have set their dreams and goals high to help those families accomplish theirs!!!