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June 2005 Issue
See the value
by Sara Houret
Before I became actively involved with NJSA, I honestly did not understand the value of pedigreed swine. Like so many other youth, I just looked at a pig as a pig – no matter what genetics stood behind it.
Thanks to NJSA, I have a new perspective. I now believe strongly in purebred swine.
During my last year showing at the California State Fair, I was fortunate to win Reserve Grand Champion with a purebred Yorkshire gilt. I truly believe that this victory would not have been as sweet without a pedigreed gilt.
My state fair does not require that you have registered market pigs to meet breed classifications. Four or five years ago, I would not have thought twice about this qualification. Now, I think that if you are competing in a breed class, you need to have a purebred pig to belong in that class. Otherwise, you are falsifying what that gilt or barrow really is.
f your gilt or barrow is a crossbred, it needs to be in the crossbred class. Each pig needs to compete against its own type in class. You would not take a Hampshire in a Yorkshire class and expect no one to notice. This is the same thing as entering a crossbred in a Yorkshire class.
I am not saying all pigs have to be purebreds. But I am saying that if you are going to refer to your animal as a purebred, it should be registered. I think those individuals who do have purebred pigs should compete against others who have the same type of pig. This passion for showing a pig for what it truly is has been instilled in me because of the NJSA.
A pedigree is valuable information that can be added to your sow herd. This piece of paper is the “family tree” for your pig. It will tell you the parentage and important individual information about that litter. Not only is it a “family tree,” but it’s also a “birth certificate.” It includes the birth date, pigs born alive and litter number, along with other helpful data. All of these facts can be used for identification and record keeping.
Purebred breeding shows are the foundation of all NJSA events. We need these shows to keep the purebred industry current and vibrant. As the NJSA continues to grow in membership and influence, we’ve been able to join forces with existing national shows such as the American Royal to create more avenues for pedigreed swine shows. This, in turn, increases demand for purebred gilts and barrows.
Pedigreed swine assures a bright future for NSR and NJSA. More shows and activities have and will become available because of registered pigs. This is an additional reason to breed, purchase and exhibit purebreds.
Kim Brock of Oklahoma State University says, “Change is slow… but in the future we will see more and more pedigreed market shows. The values to the youth and to purebred show pig producers are too great for show management to ignore. Producers must speak up and let show management know what is best for both the breeder and exhibitor to allow this positive change to happen.”
I commend those shows that have always required papers for pure breeds, and those who are moving in that direction. I would like to see more shows follow this movement.
If you attend NJSA shows, I am sure you enjoy watching the outstanding purebreds at these events as much as I do. To me, it is great fun to watch these quality purebred gilts at the National Junior Summer Spectacular glide across the ring.
NJSA shows are not the only places where this feeling could happen. If more purebred shows required registration papers, we could have even more great purebreds visible in show rings from coast to coast.
