Learning By Showing
For Berks
ANDY ANDREWS
Lancaster Farming Staff
WOMELSDORF (Berks Co.)
Perhaps when showtime nears
but before the exhibitors hear the
announcement for an approaching
judging class, the hogs get their
nicknames.
These names could be Freddy
the first, in honor of that prehistor
ic cartoon character on TV. Some
could be* named after a friend or
family member that you can’t
forget Maybe after some famous
personality. Maybe after a movie,
like “Thelma and Louise.” Or
maybe just the way the pig
behaves.
“Last year we named them after
friends or neighbors,” said Matt
Anita and Matt Manbeck help feed and care tor 200 sows
and 1,000 head of finishing hogs In Womelsdorf. They also
care for a 240-head finisher and another 400 head of finish
ing swine at a nearby farm, for a total of 4,000 head tar.
’• advice to would-be Farm Show awlna
exhibitors? "Stay calm and relaxed,” aha noted. "Don’t gat
frustrated. Groom and prepare them use good old Ivory
soap. And clean out the ears of the pigs.”
Manbeck.
Matt, 13. together with his sis
ter, Anita, 16, are preparing for the
big show. Right now they know
their hogs by numbers. ButatFarm
Show, before the show ring is no
longer a dream but a reality, the
hogs will get their names.
In the meantime, two weeks
before the big event, the son and
daughter of Herman and Connie
Manbeck of Womelsdorf were
making the final decisions on what
two hogs they would take to the
show.
For both, this is their fifth Farm
Show.
So far, the Berks County 4-H
Swine Club members have their
sights on Cambric 22 (C-22) hogs
More
Farm
TWO weeks ago, Mott Manbeck, 13, right, together with his sister, Anita, 16, were
preparing for Farm Show. Right now they know their hogs by numbers. But at Farm
Show, before the show ring Is no longer a dream but a reality, the hogs will get their
nicknames. Photo by Andy Androwo
from a 405 boar. Matt’s gilt weighs
180 pounds and Anita’s about 210
pounds, two weeks before show
time. The Hampshiie/Duroc/Yofk/
t jiutinea gilts are both the pro
ducts of their own farm and out of a
program that has already garnered
awards at the county level.
Matt, in the Bth grade at Conrad
Weiser, was named champion fit
ter and champion heavyweight at
this year’s county roundup. At
Kutztown, Matt, five-year 4-H
member, won first place in the
heavyweight class.
Anita, a junior at Conrad Weiser
High School and vice president of
the school's FFA chapter, also
serves as president of the county
swine club. The eight-year 4-H
member was named grand champ
ion showman in the senior division
at this year’s roundup and reserve
overall. Anita captured grand
champion in the swine market
classes at the 1996 roundup.
She also won grand champion
carcass on foot in 1996 at the Kutz
town Fair.
Anita was quick to point out that
competing is not important to them
learning and making friends
are.
The competitive events at 4-H,
Anita noted, are “so overrated. We
like to have fun.” Without having
the opportunities available
through 4-H, “I wouldn’t know
half the people I know.” she said.
Matt agrees. He noted it was vit
al to prepare die animal well and
more important to have the “proper
instructions in fitting than just get
ting fust place,” he said.
Matt uid that ai a result of his
4-H experiences, he has learned
how to properly walk and care for
the swine, how to groom them for
the show, and get the hogs to be
cooperative in the show ring.
At last summer’s Kutztown Fair
Beef Show, swine judge Keith
Bryan, a Pain State instructor who
speaks about show ethics in his
LancasUr Farming column, “It’s
Showtime,” took time with each
exhibitor at the event to point out
what they did right or wrong.
*1 never saw a judge do that,”
Important Than Winning
Show Family
Along with helping at the family’s 48-acre (41 tillable)
farrow-to-flnlsh farm In Womelsdorf, Anita is busy with FFA
membership, as president of the county swine club, is on
the high school track and field hockey teams, and works at
Rlsser’s Diner.
said Connie Manbcck. “I t is a
learning experience and so impor
tant for the kids.”
Matt recently undertook a 4-H
beef heifer project. He cares for a
purebred Angus heifer. Peaches,
and two Angus/Simmental cross
breds. One crossbred, “Mary,” was
bred and Matt became the “toast”
of the 4-H club.
Anita recalls that during the
Mardis Gras at the Kutztown Fair,
the Manbecks took along Mary.
They “borrowed” a lamb from
another exhibitor and kidded Matt.
They spoke about how “Mary had
a little lamb,” and had a good time.
Along with helping at the fami
ly’s 48-acre (41 tillable) farrow-to
finish firm in Womelsdorf, Anita
is busy with FFA membership, as
president of the county swine club,
is on the high school track and field
hockey teams, and works at Riss
er’s Diner.
Matt, already an FFA member,
works with the county 4-H team
and is on the school’s wrestling
team.
“We’re just everywhere,” said
Matt
Both help feed and care for 200
sows and 1,000 head of finishing
hogs in Womelsdorf. They also
care for a 240-head finisher and
another 400 head of finishing
swine at a nearby farm, for a total
of 4,000 head per year.
Both are heavily involved with
the 4-H livestock judging team.
"They did well with livestock
judging,” said their mother, Con
nie Manbeck. In 1997, team mem
ben placed second in the junior
division at the state level up
from 7th place in the division in
1996.
As for the Farm Show, the Man-
(Turn le Pag* AST)