Belton, Texas, is the home of the Southwest Type Conference (SWTC). It’s long been a favorite swine show stop for barbecue lovers and Midwesterners searching for some Southern sunshine. While there has been a lot of talk about some favorite stops, we decided to try and find some of the obscure, hole-in-the-wall attractions for you to enjoy – with the exception of Schoepf’s, since it is a Belton classic.
Luke Lindner runs 110 sows in Comfort, Texas with his father, Jason Lindner and girlfriend, Fallon Ferguson. Luke was introduced to the showpig world at a young age by his father, Jason who is the owner/operator of Linder Feed and Milling. In 2010, he and his father started raising crossbred hogs just for Luke to show in the competitive Texas major shows. In 2015, after Luke graduated high school, he made the decision to stay home and work at the feed store, and built his own sow operation. Luke has always taken great pride in being a part of the showpig industry, whether it’s raising show stock or making feed for the youth!
Going to a jackpot show can be super fun. The people and the laid-back atmosphere make these events a worthwhile experience for any showman. The benefit of going to a jackpot show are more than playing cards at the show box and taking home a great prize for breed champion. In fact, jackpots can provide an invaluable and unique experience for most young showman.
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.
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.
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.