Written by the TPPA Interns
You just purchased your show pig project…now what? There are numerous places you can start; however, there are a few essential tools to keep at the forefront as you begin your journey to the show ring.
SET CLEAR GOALS
Before show season, set goals for what you want to achieve that year. If you are a first-time exhibitor, those goals could be purchasing either a gilt or barrow, writing down why you want to exhibit a show pig in the first place, or what shows you want to attend. As you advance with your project, set goals that allow you to be competitive, such as learning more about fitting your project, as well as finding mentors, such as other showmen or breeders.
Setting goals is vital to success by allowing you to physically see the progress you are making. By writing down your goals in the barn where you can look at them every day, you can see how close you are to reaching your goal. By defining what success looks like for you, you will individually build yourself into the best person possible with the use of your show pig project.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Success is more likely to happen when you are prepared. Do your research on topics of what type of pig fits you best, set a budget you are willing to spend on the year, and what feed types you want to buy. If you just have outside pens with no shade, then it is best that you stick with showing dark pigs. If you have a barn and shade, then you could show both light and dark pigs.
With your budget each year, you should project what you want to spend on your project(s), expected feed cost, vet cost, and any miscellaneous costs along the way. Every year, creating a budget allows you to stay within the means of the amount you are willing to pay. While you are choosing your show pig project, you should also find a local vet that you can build a vet-patient relationship with in case you ever have any health-related questions. By building an established relationship with your vet, they will learn about both you and your project. If you have a good relationship with your vet, doing small things, like getting health papers from them, will be much easier. Research on what type of breed you want to show.
When doing your research, find a few mentors to help you along the way. The Texas Pork Producers Association has a breeder directory that shows you where many Texas breeders are located. Our Texas breeders are always willing to help youth with their show pig projects.
SELECT THE RIGHT PIG
When selecting the right pig for you, there are multiple areas to look at. Buying a pig that is within your budget is always important. When buying your project, look for qualities like being sound on their feet and legs, which means they have the right set to the angle of their shoulder and hock. They will also need to be flexible from the side and stay square in their hind leg placement when going away. The pig that you buy should have adequate muscle and bone. Also, keep in mind the size of pigs that you are buying relative to the shows that you would like to attend.
PRIORITIZE ANIMAL HEALTH
From day one, be sure you are prepared to always protect your pig’s health. A good rule of thumb would be to document all of your pig’s treatments and vaccinations. Be sure to work with your veterinarian to determine if any vaccinations are necessary. In addition, only take clean and properly disinfected equipment to the show. Ensure you have adequate supplies needed, so you do not have to borrow from others.
It is more than likely inevitable that you will be exposed to other pigs during this time of year. Be sure to wear different shoes and clothing from each barn, as well as those that you have worn at shows, sales, or around other pigs. Isolate sick pigs from healthy pigs to minimize the risk of a disease outbreak.. During the isolation process, you have the chance to monitor your animal to see if it shows any signs of disease. If your pig is not eating normally, coughing, having trouble breathing, or showing any disease symptoms, it is in the best interest of your pig and others to reconsider exposing the pig elsewhere.
Cleaning and disinfecting play a vital role in reducing the risk of your pigs getting sick. Before loading your trailer with pigs again, be sure to remove all bedding/manure and equipment from the trailer and clean it thoroughly. When disinfecting your trailer, barns, and equipment, be sure to properly apply the disinfectant according to its instructions. After this process, allow the equipment to fully dry using sunlight or a heat source to kill the remaining pathogens.
In addition, reduce exposure to other people. If visitors need to attend your farm, supply clean boots or plastic boot covers. All visitors need to wear clean clothing and wash their hands before setting foot in your barn. When your visitors are leaving, ask them to remove their plastic boot covers and place them in a garbage bag. Then make sure to dispose of them in a designated location or away from clean supplies. If you supply visitors with clean boots, make sure to disinfect those boots after each visit. Everyone should clean their hands with sanitizer or wipes before entering the vehicle.
Taking the necessary precautions is important right now to protect the health of our industry. While it may be simple to just rid the pens of shavings, disinfect your barns, and more, it can play a vital role in ensuring the health of the pork industry.
TRAINING AND EVERYDAY CARE
The day you bring your show pig home is the day you should start taking care of the little things that will make your project stand out in the long run. Daily care, such as skin and hair, training your project, and more, is vital to your success.
Skin and Hair: Brushing your pig not only trains the hair but also helps them get used to being handled. Wash your pig once or twice a week to keep their skin and hair clean and healthy, which helps them look their best in the ring. If you have dark-colored pigs (like Durocs, Berks, dark crosses, Polands, or Spots), giving them some tanning time in the sun is helpful. Start with just a little bit of sun and slowly work up to about 30 minutes a few times a week, using oil on their dark skin to help. For pigs with white spots, make sure to put sunscreen on those areas so they don’t get sunburned.
Exercise: Take small steps at first—maybe just walk them around the barn, in the alley, or even get the project out of their pen and see how they react. As they grow, move them to a safe walking area outside the barn so they learn to be comfortable in different spaces. This will make show day easier since they’ll already trust you in new environments. It is important to remember that every animal is different—be patient and take it one day at a time.
Feeding: Before leaving the farm or sale in which you bought your pig, ask the breeder what they suggest feeding it to begin with. Keep track of what you’re feeding your pig for recordkeeping as your project grows. If possible, find a mentor such as a breeder, ag teacher, or extension agent to help you. However, remember to stick to a few opinions rather than multiple.
PREPARE YOUR BARN FOR SUCCESS
Show pig projects require much preparation before you get to the show, which can certainly be overwhelming in the beginning.
Recordkeeping: Keep a log of everything that you have given your pig leading up to the show, including vaccinations. It is important to know the withdrawal dates on vaccinations, especially in pigs that are attending terminal shows. Recordkeeping can be simple and kept in a binder or in a safe space on your phone; however, make sure you note if you vaccinate your pig with the date and what medication you used.
Mark your calendars: Keep track of important dates such as when validation tag orders are due, when your pig must be validated for major shows, and when registration deadlines are for the shows you want to attend. Your ag teacher or county extension agent will know when those dates are; however, you can also find these dates online for the specific show you want to attend.
Essential items you may need: Below is a list of items that you will need when preparing for your show pig project. Although this list will need to be altered depending on your situation, it is a good reference guide to have on hand.
- Feed buckets
- Feeders (one for feed and one for water, if needed)
- Feeder hangers
- Feed
- Clean water
- Fans (depending on your barn situation)
- Water hose
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Skin and hair oils and water-based skin products (for the shows that do not allow oil-based)
- Whips
- Brushes
- Extra bedding
- Shovel
REMEMBER YOUR WHY
Whether it is your first year or not, it is easy to become overwhelmed with many emotions as you begin your show year. Although we all want to win, it is important to remember that winning looks different for us all – even when we do not realize it.
As an exhibitor, you learn the power of hard work, resilience, and how to serve others. Through showing pigs, you are always gaining skills that will be useful to you once your time in the show ring is over. Your show pig project is a tool for you to become a leader wherever you go. Through the highs and the lows, make sure you remember your why. Why did you want to show pigs? What keeps you motivated each day? Why is it important to you to spend your time in the barn? And so much more…
Try your best. Have fun. Enjoy the journey.