Which Way Should We Be Going?

[Findarainbow]

I can't believe muscle is so high, heck muscle is why so many buy hogs that end up with problems! I agree with HogDoc soundness is where we need to start. In the past we have proven muscle type hogs are troublesome. Market hogs and show hogs have long had the reputation of being polar opposite! If we truly had market shows, there would be a lot of truly pissed off parents. Now I would commend a judge with the gumption to pick what would be best on my plate! Just saying

[shortleg]

it,s not about your Plate. It,s about feed bucket, thats what it take,s to win

[Findarainbow]

As far as show pigs, it starts with genetics, then your right you can take liter mates to different farms, and when they arrive at the show, they look totally different! Feeding is very important, yet genetics is where all great pigs start. I appreciate Hogdocs take on most situations, it always boils down to genetics. The rest is from trial and error, and learning from those that truly know feed.

[pigginit]

If they are sound, have bone and are wide shouldn't that take care of most of the rest on the list?????

[Mary-Okie]

Great discussion!

I agree with a lot that has been said. I do think that it all starts at the ground. Eventhough, we pay massive amounts for suppliments, pills, pastes, shots, etc, you really can't feed structural soundness. Now, you can delay the issue with protein manipulation and muscle development, but ultimately it catches up at the end.

I also agree with the body and rib. Without it, you have the slow growers and that really tough to get fat.

Lastly, I think muscle takes a slight nod over bone, eventhough I think bone is very important. You still have way too many judges out there that top and butt cut. You really see it in the Jackpot circuit and you see it with these fresh off the successful collegiate Judging team judges that get into these crossbred classes and just can't get enough muscle packed on one.

I'm surprised that width of chest isn't higher on the list of favorites. It's probably one of the most discussed factors you hear on the micraphone in both market hog shows as well as boar shows. Very rarely will you see a narrow chested hog win a show anymore. and it's the kiss of death when trying to sell a crossbred boar.

[MBMLVSTK]

I want to vote for soundness three times.

Definitely agreeing with Hog Doc on this one!