—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Jan. 8, 1977
36
Solanco Student took his pigs
from petting zoo to Farm Show
PEACH BOTTOM, Pa. - Up until six months ago, 15-year
old Mike Rhoads had his heart set on becoming a dairy
farmer. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rhoads, keep about
35 milking cows on the 110-acre family farm just south of this
southern Lancaster County community. Dairy farming was
all the young man had really ever known, as far as
agriculture is concerned.
That has all changed now.
In the Spring of 1976 Mike purchased two 8-week old pigs,
got them ready for the County FFA hog show and came close
to winning. He placed second and liked the idea of showing
hogs.
Asked what he would like to 3o after graduation, from high
school, Mike wastes no time in answering that he’d jlke to
raise bogs and earn his living that Way.
Two weeks ago his vo-ag teacher and project advisor, Dr.
William Fredd, informed Mike that he’d be going to the Farm
Show with his two pigs. The news came as a surprsie to the
young man, especially since his present projects started out
as part of an exhibit for the childrens’ petting zoo at the
Solanco Fair. '
When Mike enters the show ring in Harrisburg this coming
Thursday, it’ll be only the second time in his life that he has
done so. The first time was in July when he entered two pigs
in the FFA show at the Lancaster Stock Yards. He says he
was a bit nervous then, and claims it’s a similar situation
now. Nevertheless, the Solanco sophomore is anxious to
compete and looks forward to going. He remembers that at
the FFA round-up his jitters left him once he was in the ring.
Like his first reserve champion; the two hogs he’ll be
showing next week are three-way crossbreds. He selected
them out of Harry Kreider’s herd, who, like Mike, once had
his main interests in dairy cows. Kreider sold his dairy
operation several years ago and now specializes in pigs.
Bringing his two pigs home at eight weeks of age, the pan
weighed in the neighborhood of 35 pounds each. Three weeks
ago they weighed in at 175 and 195. Mike’s hoping for 230
pounds on each animal when they’re weighed in at the Farm
Show. “They have to weigh in between 190 and 250 pounds to
be eligible for the show,’’the young man explained.
Purchased last Summer, Mike’s two pigs were not
originally intended for showing. At least not the kind of show
they’re going to now. Last Fall these same two pigs were
cuddly members of the children’s bam yard at the Solanco
COMPLETE LINE OF:
GOLDEN ACRES SEED CORN
GOLDEN ACRES SORGHUM
AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS
FERTILIZERS
UREA (46 (H))
AMMONIUM NITRATE (33.5-04))
30% NITROGEN SOLUTION
DAP (18-46-0)
TRIPLE SUPER (0-46-0)
POTASH (0-0-60)
IComparyl
By DIETER KRIEG
m.
F air. They got petted and picked up and cßased and their
squeals mixed with those of the children. That was the idea
behind their purchase. Dr. Fredd made the suggestion,
although Mike himself did the selecting.
One of the developments in Mike’s relatively short FFA
career which may have been an 'influence in getting him
interested in hogs is the fact that he has consistently done
well in swine judging. Hogs have become a challenge to him.
Mike and his parents have never kept hogsup until now.
The FFA projects have therefore become a real learning
experience for both him and his father, who admits he finds
the creatures and their management to be interesting.
Among the reasons Mike prefers hogs to cows is that they
don’t take quite as much time, and they eat less.
Preparations for showing are also not near as tedious as they
are with larger livestock. He works with his two hogs for
approximately 30 minutes each evening. Using a cane, he
walks them around the concrete bam yard to help build up
good hams. Another phase of the training program involves
holding them in place. He strives for good discipline without
roughness.
Mike’s two show animals eat approximately 150 pounds of
a commercial pelleted ration per month. The heavier of his
two hogs gets less grain, and a little hay instead to “keep him
happy.” He’s trying to avoid overfattening them.
The end result will hopefully be an animal which is just
what the judge has in mind. According to Mike, who in the
last six month has learned a lot about showing, and has had a
fine swine judging record besides, the judges look for a long
bodied hog, properly arched from the tip of the nose to the tip
of the fail, with firm round hams, and not too much weight in
the forequarters. -
Potatoes shown
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Not
only is Lehigh County on the
top with the grand champion
potato exhibit at the Penn
sylvania State Farm Show,
but also the number of
exhibits of the “Beautiful
Spud” from Lehigh keeps the
Potato Show active.
ROYSTER CO.
500 RUNNING PUMP ROAD
LANCASTER, PA. 17601
717-299-2541
Lebanon County, call 717-866-5701
Cochranvllle, Pa. 215-869-2344
Several potato farms from
Lehigh County have been the
backbone of the State Show.
The 32 tuber tray, one
exhibit, is displayed with all
other potatoes in the 'front
foyer, west end, near the
vegetable display and the
hay and grain show.
Mike Rhoads purchased his first pigs in the
Spring of 1976. Less than a year later, he’s taking
two hogs to the Farm Show.
M. SIMON ZOOK CO.
CANE MOUSSES - Liquid a Dried
• TABLE & BAKING SYRUP
PHONE 215-273-3776
Box ISO - Honey Brook, Pa. 19344
For More Information Write Or Call
WANTED
- DEALERS -
TO MARKET:
GOLDEN ACRES SEED CORN
ROYSTER FERTILIZER
t
AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS
CALL OR WRITE TODAY!
717-299-2541
BOOTHS NO. 638-640
M
W THf ft