To download a printable brochure with the information contained on this page, click here.

CHAMP — Check the Details

Know the Rules

Rules vary from show to show, so it’s important to know and understand the published rules, which often change from year to year. Important things to know:

Get Informed

The Internet, along with show and breed publications, offers information on the latest techniques as well as dates and times for shows, sales, and clinics. Well-respected breeders are usually eager to help. Find out what’s new to maximize the look and performance of your pig.

Prepare the “Home”

Before bringing your pig home, you should be sure to:

CHAMP — How To Select Your Pig

Select the Right Size Pig

Whether selecting from your own herd or purchasing from a show pig breeder, your goal is to find the perfect pig. Buy from someone you can trust. Use all available resources such as 4-H leaders, FFA advisors, county agents, and breeders.

What makes the perfect pig? Although it is difficult to predict at 40 to 80 pounds what an animal will be at 260 pounds, there are several key factors to keep in mind:

Ground Up

Check feet (evenly sized toes) and legs (sound and square on the corners of the body), along with structural correctness. Any problems will only get worse as the pig matures and carries more weight. Select a wide-chested pig with a wide base and plenty of center body.

Muscle

Check for a grooved top with a crisp loin edge free of fat. The ham should be thick from side to side, long from front to back, and carry down the leg to the hock. Be sure shoulder blades move under the skin when the pig walks. Make sure movement is not restricted because of too much muscling.

Leanness

Look for a lean pig without signs of fat cover early in its growth period. First signs of fat appear in the jowl/neck area, shoulder area, loin edge, and lower one third of the body.

Body Condition

Consider showing a softer looking pig by incorporating feeding strategies containing fat. The genetically selected extremely lean and heavily muscled pig is not winning the shows today. Fat supplements have become very popular with several new products introduced. Products range from 5% to 99% fat content and come in liquid, pellet, and meal forms. Palatability, ease of feeding, and amount of time for a desired response need to be considered when choosing a fat supplement. 99% crude fat supplements produce the desired results quickly. Lower (<20%) crude fat products do a great job putting on the desired cover, if you have enough time. Palatability may be a problem when using liquid fat.

Pig Selection

Select a pig that is well balanced in all desirable traits without any glaring negative traits. Improve your selection skills by practicing as often as possible. Remember how top-performing pigs looked as babies. Stay current on the latest trends that judges will be selecting for in the future.

The following formula can help determine the size animal needed:

  Example:
Project Start Date April 24
Show Weigh In Date August 16
Days To Show 113 days
Desired Show Weight 260#
Estimated Average Daily Gain 1.8# / day
____Days To Show x ____Estimated ADG 113 days x 1.8 = 203.4#
Desired Show Weight –Estimated Weight Gain 260# - 203.4#
Start Weight Of Pig 57#
Keep in mind certain show rules regarding age, weight, and minimum average daily gain requirements. It is best to use your own average daily gain number.

CHAMP — Assessing / Managing Your Pig

After your show pig arrives at your facility, it is important to give the proper care so it will grow to its full genetic potential. The extra attention and added effort in the daily care of your show pig will pay off at show time.

It is critical to monitor your pig closely for the first three weeks at its new home. The stress of hauling, a new environment, and new pen mates from multiple farms create one of the most stressful periods in your show pig’s life. Check your pig at least twice a day. Pay attention to stool condition, listen for a cough, and look for a runny nose or labored breathing. Consult with a veterinarian or swine professional if needed.

The following are all important factors when caring for your pig:

Facility

Keep the facility clean, dry, and draft free. This will help reduce disease, increase pig performance, and keep hair coat in good condition. To maintain a dry pen, provide adequate bedding such as wood shavings or straw. Keep the pen draft free, especially early in the pig’s life, to help prevent chilling and respiratory problems.

Water

Provide ample cool, clean water at all times. Water access, temperature, and pressure can affect the pig’s water and feed consumption as well as health.

Feed

Provide fresh high-quality feed that is matched to your pig’s age, weight, muscle, and body condition. Feed must be fresh, free of molds, and easy to access. Monitor feed intake often to be sure your pig is healthy and growing at optimal levels.

Temperature

Protect the health of your young pig by keeping it warm and comfortable. A young pig can chill easily, leading to several health problems. In cold weather provide adequate bedding, heat lamps, and a draft- free enclosure. Later in the growing period high temperatures can stress the pig and slow the growth rate. In hot weather provide cool water, fans, misters, and shade.

Parasite Control

Deworm your show pig soon after it is brought home and again one month later. Failure to deworm may lead to slower average daily gains and cause the pig to look rough. Watch out for lice and mange.

Vaccinations

Consult your veterinarian to determine what vaccinations should be given for your area. Get and keep the breeder’s vaccination records. The breeder can also inform you of any specific health problems he has on his farm.

Transportation

Transport your pig with care because some genetics stress easily due to the presence of the stress gene (Porcine Stress Syndrome). If your pig becomes stressed, you may see a change in skin color and increased respiration and heart rate. Your pig may act unruly and excitable. To minimize the risk, make the process as calm and easy as possible. Handle and transport early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid high temperatures. Be gentle!

CHAMP — Make Adjustments

Get your pig on the scales regularly to monitor weight gain. Extremely hard and empty looking pigs are not winning in today's show ring. It’s all about weight management and the desired appearance you wish to achieve.

Too Big

Maintain muscle volume with adequate protein intake. Freshness, bloom, and body capacity are important, so we cannot simply hold pigs on a small quantity of feed. High fiber ingredients such as beet pulp and rolled oats help give a full appearance without weight gain. Please note, Paylean will enhance weight gain.

Too Small

Achieve maximum growth rate by keeping pigs comfortable, increasing the energy level of your ration, and providing smaller meals multiple times a day. The biggest factor helping growth rate is intake. Try different ingredients and flavors to stimulate intake. Paylean at the proper level can also increase growth rate.

Too Fat

Help burn off fat cover using high protein feeds with lower energy levels. If the pig is sound, consider feeding Paylean at a higher rate. Walking 15 to 20 minutes a day can help firm up a pig as well.

Too Thin

Soften the look of those hard, flat ribbed no gutted hogs by feeding higher levels of fat to achieve the desired look. Skip Paylean for these pigs.

CHAMP — Perfect Show Day

Pre Show:

Review health requirements and show rules. Your goal is a fresh looking pig with a youthful appearance. Wash pig several times making sure you rinse all the soap out of the hair. Consider using a skin conditioner. Keep water out of pig’s ears....it’s a leading cause of a pig tilting its head to the side. Clip your pig at home, if the rules permit, to make it appear fresh, youthful, and natural looking.

On Show Day:

On the day of the show, be sure to: