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September 2005 Issue
More Good News
by Darrell Anderson
Wow – what an incredible year so far! And I’m not talking about the hot weather that has permeated the entire country this summer or the constantly increasing price of a gallon of gas. I’m referring to the incredible year it has been for the purebred swine fraternity.
The excitement surrounding our junior events at the World Pork Expo and the National Junior Summer Spectacular reached new heights again this year. The WPX Junior National in Des Moines, Iowa, attracted young people from 23 states and almost doubled in entries from last year’s inaugural event. It had many highlights, one of which was a purebred Yorkshire barrow being named grand champion of the very competitive market hog show. It was “standing room only” at all of our shows in Des Moines, and it was obvious that the majority of the WPX crowd wandered through the hog barn at some point, just to see what was generating all this excitement.
Then a few weeks later, a record number of 30 states were represented by nearly 600 junior exhibitors in Louisville, Ky. As you can see from the coverage in this issue, they thoroughly enjoyed their time at “Hoggywood.” Jennifer and her crew did an incredible job of orchestrating all the various events, and it was so encouraging to see the talent displayed by our next generation of leaders in this industry. Only time will tell the incredible difference NJSA has made in the lives of our young people today.
One truth becomes very apparent to me as I reflect back on this summer’s events – to succeed in this business, you have to believe in that success with such a passion that it becomes a reality. It has been so rewarding to see such a diverse group of breeders and young people from all corners of this great country succeed – both in the show ring and the auction ring.
Let’s look at some of the specifics surrounding this good news:
Demand for purebred Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace and Yorkshire breeding stock is incredible and shows no signs of diminishing. When you combine the sale totals from the last three NSR-sponsored events (SWTC in Belton, Texas, WPX in Des Moines and STC in Louisville), we have sold 413 gilts, which is nearly every gilt entered, for an average of $1,019! I don’t think that has ever happened in the history of NSR.
The boar business hasn’t exactly been at a poverty level either. At those same three events, we have merchandised 255 boars, and they have sold at a $3,387 pace. Coming from 25 states, they have sold to new owners literally coast to coast.
Ironically, the four top-selling boars have been purple-ribbon winners. They are as follows: $70,000 – John Huinker’s Champion Duroc Boar at the STC; $57,000 – Robert Wehmer’s Reserve Champion Hampshire Boar at the SWTC; $50,000 – John Graber and Gary Baker’s Champion Hampshire Boar at the WPX; and $42,000 – Goff’s Select Swine Genetics’ Champion Yorkshire Boar at the STC.
The other good news that I’ve observed at these same three events is what I would call a return to recognizing the value of a strong breeding program. More and more folks are researching our pedigree files and are truly trying to build their sow herds from boars and gilts that originate from a sound, predictable breeding program.
I could give many examples, but a few obvious ones should be highlighted. At the SWTC, Joe Lancaster was rewarded for his commitment and passion for the Hampshire business, as his champion gilt sold for $14,000. Veteran Hampshire breeder John Penner invested in a very strong breeding program with the purchase of select individuals from the Darrell Epp Yorkshire herd. At the WPX, John’s Yorkshire gilt was champion and his class-winning boar was also very popular. John Huinker brought a powerful pair of littermate Duroc boars to the STC and was rewarded with $100,000 for his efforts and attention to his breeding program.
As you can see, it’s been a great year for our four breeds and the breeders that raise them. I once read somewhere that “every life has its dark and cheerful hours – happiness comes from choosing which to remember.”
We’ve had plenty to be cheerful about in our business this year – let’s all be grateful and remember the “good news.”
