DIO-Ltucaster Farming Saturday, September 6,1986 BY RICHARD BARCZEWSKI University of Delaware NEWARK, Del. - Every summer I have the opportunity to serve as a judge for several livestock shows on Delmarva and in surrounding areas. Prior to my arrival at the county fairgrounds, hogs are washed, brushed and trained to drive by a lot of enthusiastic young 4-H and FFA exhibitors. Hours are devoted to raising that one animal that will be named champion of the show. The champion is then offered for sale at a livestock auction and usually fetches a handsome sum far in excess of the going market price. Parents and supporters of such sales are always trying to find buyers willing to spend record amounts of money for an animal that for all intents and purposes is worth the market price. Why are these sales popular and why do we put so much emphasis on one judge’s opinion? These are questions that deserve thought Livestock projects provide a youngster with the opportunity to raise an animal to market weight. Along the way, he or she should leam some of the finer points of feeding, health and general management of the livestock species being raised. In addition, some general costs of production should be kept to determine the profitability of the project. These records keep everything in perspective and let the youngster know how they’re doing in the hog business. But then, along comes the champion hog with its high price tag. |h While it’s true that selling a tampion hog at a fair provides a youngster with money for college or further livestock endeavors, the experience doesn’t paint a realistic picture.’ How many times do we in the industry get to sell a hog for two, three, five or 10 dollars a pound or more? You know the answer is never. While we like to see a youngster receive a good price for a champion, it’s up to us as leaders of 4-H, FFA and other youth groups to keep the experience in per spective. One of the biggest disap pointments I’ve had over the past few years regarding livestock projects is a direct result of high selling champion animals. As the price per pound increases, so does Wortint Unit Oi Display ESHIAND WoodGCn • Eliminates Creosote Build-up • Lower Fuel Consumption • 84% Wood, 85% Oil Efficiency • Available in sizes from 80,000 to 500,000 BTU/hr with auto, oil backup. By using dense refractory material, com plete combustion occurs at temperatures exceeding 2000*F No smoke... No creo sote build-up' ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS Allen Lawyer 504 E. Main St., New Holland, PA 17557 PH: 717-354-0412 ★ FREE HEATING SURVEY & ESTIMATE ★ Keeping The Show Circuit In Perspective the amount of money a youngster will spend for the project animal. It’s not uncommon at all for kids to spend a hundred dollars or more for an outstanding feeder pig. This in turn makes it next to impossible for the exhibitor to break even unless they win the championship. Believe me, there have been a lot of disappointed kids when a judge’s final verdict comes in. Remember that there is only one champion, and at larger shows several youngsters may have paid big bucks for their project animals. Who profits from all of this? You can’t totally fault the producer, some 3 become involved in a livestock animals keep a realistic per project. spective on their projects. I’m one of the fortunate in- Hog producers can help by dividuals who became interested making a few good feeder pigs in livestock through 4-H projects, available for project animals at a It doesn’t matter how much you fair market price. Invite a spend on an animal if the main youngster to view the pigs and objective is learning about provide adequate information livestock and the livestock in- about them with regard to their dustry. Learning is a main ob- potential growth rate and ef jective of 4-H and FFA, and as ficiency. Better yet, become in project leaders it’s our respon- volved as a project leader for a 4-H sibility to ensure that the youth club or FFA chapter and share involved are aware of the realistic some of your knowledge about the objectives of raising livestock. hog industry. I’m not trying to say that Working together we can ensure champion sales should be that knowledge remains the discontinued, but rather that the number one objective of our junior youngsters involved in raising livestock projects and shows. > »»»»»)>»»»»»»»»»»»»»)»»»»»»»)»»»)»»»»» > »» > »»» >> > >) > > »»» > > >)>> > >> > >>>> > > > >) » > ) >> > >>>> > >> » >> » >>> > > > > > > > >> > >) » > »>»» > » >>> »»>» > >»»)»)»»»»»»»»»)>m») QUALITY WORK AT OUR END I MEANS QUALITY WORK AT YOURS. || Carlisle, PA PETERMAN FARM EQUIPMENT 717-249-5338 Chambersburg, PA CLUGSTON IMPLEMENTING. 717-263-4103 Harrisburg, PA HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY CO. 717-573-2250 Palm, PA WENTZ FARM SUPPLIES INC. ; - 215-679-7164 „ 717-564-3031 Hatfield. PA LCL CONSTRUCTION EQUIP. SALE CO. 215-362-2510 Wilmington, OE 302-998-0128 who finds out that all of a sudden his pigs can demand a higher price. However, it’s important to realize that spending a lot of money for an outstanding feeder pig does not ensure a champion. Then there’s the judge. A judge is only one person giving one opinion. What if the judge at your particular fair doesn’t like your pig? The judge doesn’t care how much you paid for your hog, only what it looks like on show day. The point I’m trying to make is that winning a championship at a fair is a nice thing to have happen to you, however, learning about livestock is the real reason to The Melroe Company insists on maintaining the highest standards of quality in design and manufacturing in their versatile Bobcat loader line. Like farmers, we demand high quality materials and workmanship, and that goes into every machine we build. Even with those stringent requirements, we supply you with a top quality loader at a competitive price. 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