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“The Pinnacle” Archives
The newsletter of the National Junior Swine Association
Spring 2001 Highlights
ARTICLES
Eddie Robinson: Supporting the Future of the Purebred Industry
by Katrina Waters
Judging Livestock: An Introduction
by Jennifer Shike
Registration Made Easy
by Shandy Froedge
Thoughts from the Word
by Ray Perryman
Tips for Winning the Blue Ribbon
by Terrell Buck
Value in the Land of Plenty
by Warren Beeler
Your integrity is your destiny...
It is the light that guides your way.
ATTITUDE: Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference!
Eddie Robinson
Supporting the Future of the Purebred Industry
by Katrina Waters
On March 10, 2000, the Grand Champion Yorkshire Gilt of the Southwestern Type Conference sold for $17,000 to Terry Stade and Wayne Huinker, and became the highest-selling Yorkshire gilt of all times. As anyone can imagine, the breeder of this tremendous gilt, Eddie Robinson, Wellsville, Mo., was ecstatic. But instead of buying a new pickup or building a new barn with the money, Eddie had greater plans. He and his family decided to give the proceeds to a group of people that they truly believe in—the future of the purebred swine industry. The $17,000 was then divided equally between the National Junior Swine Association and the University of Missouri. The University of Missouri money went into a scholarship fund in the name of the late Claude Robinson, Eddie’s father.
Eddie grew up around purebred Yorkshires, and has managed his own herd since the ‘70s. Growing up on his father’s purebred operation taught Eddie many life-long lessons such as hard work and responsibility, but it also had an even greater impact on his life as he grew more passionate about the Yorkshire breed each day. From a young age, he knew that he wanted to raise purebred Yorkshires for a living and do what he could to improve the breed and the industry.
Eddie’s wife of 16 years, Tammy, says it is that passion for raising good hogs that has made Eddie so successful as both a seedstock and show pig producer.
“Yorkshire hogs are Eddie’s first love,” Tammy said. “As a wife, I am grateful that he can do what he loves for a living. There is nothing that makes him happier.”
Eddie and Tammy have three children, Will, Lindsey, and Kaitlyn. Their oldest two children are already involved with showing pigs and are members of the National Junior Swine Association. Both parents feel very fortunate that their kids are able to be a part of an association that allows them the opportunity to travel all over the country and meet people, while simultaneously learning about responsibility and hard work. Although Eddie said that it is up to his children whether or not they follow in his footsteps and raise hogs. For now, the whole family enjoys breeding and showing their Yorkshires.
Presently, the Robinson’s farrow-to-finish operation consists of 150 purebred sows and a boar stud that includes 15 Yorkshire boars. The industry has certainly changed since the ‘70s when Eddie was starting out, as the typical operation has changed from being a family business to a corporate business. Of course, there are still many family businesses out there like Eddie’s, but they have transformed from a breeding stock focus to making most of their profits by selling show pigs to youth, or semen to fellow breeders.
“When I started out, little emphasis was placed on selling show pigs and semen, but now, those two aspects of the business are what keeps a lot of us in business,” Eddie said.
In 1989, Eddie gained a partner—Trent Tiemann of Martinsburg, Missouri. Together they formed Mid-Mo Genetics. The two have been a very successful duo, primarily because they share many of the same ideas and philosophies, Trent said.
“Neither of us are afraid of hard work,” Trent said, as he complimented Eddie on his ability to plan and organize for the future. “Eddie has a tremendous ability to see the future and breed hogs accordingly.”
But what has inspired Eddie to be so supportive of the National Junior Swine Association and the youth involved in the swine industry?
“Yorkshires have been very good to my family,” Eddie said. “Back in the ‘50s and ‘60s, several breeders helped my dad get his start in the business, and we were very grateful. Now, I feel like I can return that favor by giving back to the future of the swine industry.”
He also feels that the NJSA deserves his support as it is one of the most worthwhile organizations available to young swine enthusiasts.
“It really opens up some opportunities for youth and allows them to meet people from all over the United States and see how things are done elsewhere,” he said.
Eddie also explained that future breeders should keep in mind some of the challenges facing both the purebred and the show pig industry and do what they can to help in these areas. He feels that breed purity is the biggest issue right now, but also worries about breeders getting carried away with winning hog shows or selling their animals for the most money.
“We can’t lose sight of what we are supposed to be doing—breeding better genetics,” he added.
Eddie’s last piece of advice can be useful, no matter what walk of life you are in. He said, “Don’t let yourself be limited by anyone else’s ideas. Always dream—because, without dreams, there is nothing to strive for.”
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Judging Livestock: An Introduction
by Jennifer Shike
Livestock judging requires a careful analysis of each animal in a class by comparing them to one another, and to a standard that is considered ideal. Livestock judging is the study of the relationship between form and function of the animal.
While increased awareness and knowledge of livestock is the most common purpose of livestock judging, there are many benefits that can be attained by participating in livestock judging contests. If you want to become a better stockman, livestock judging teaches you how to visually appraise livestock and understand performance records. If you want to gain confidence, livestock judging stimulates your mind to make quick and educated decisions, and then defend those decisions in the oral reasons room.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of livestock judging is the opportunity to travel and meet other judges who have similar interests. By meeting prominent livestock breeders, you can learn new ways of breeding, raising and showing livestock. As well, lasting relationships will be made along the way.
In order to be a successful judge, you need to achieve the following criteria.
• Have the desire and develop the ability to know livestock.
• Be able to observe, identify, and describe parts of the animal.
• Know the purpose of the animal (breeding versus market animals).
• Stay current with industry trends and philosophies.
• Make logical decisions.
• Use correct terminology when recognizing good versus bad traits.
• Justify decisions through oral reasons.
In a livestock judging contest, it’s important to pay close attention to the instructions given prior to the contest. The information provided before the contest could make a difference on how you place a class during the contest.
Don’t waste time when you’re judging. In most contests, contestants will be given 12-15 minutes to place a class and organize their notes. Don’t ignore your first impressions because they are usually correct.
Finally, most classes have been picked out to go a certain way. Don’t overanalyze a class. If it looks easy to separate the animals into pairs, it probably is. Find the most obvious placings in the class, and then spend your time on the less obvious. Place the class on fundamentals.
Livestock judging requires continual practice. A good judge understands that each animal has different positive and negative traits. These traits must be weighed before making a decision. It’s a good idea to study winning animals at livestock shows, and listen to the reasons why the judge placed these animals at the top of the class. The more time you spend evaluating and watching livestock, the better you will become at judging livestock yourself.
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Registration Made Easy
by Shandy Froedge
With the summer show season just around the corner, many of you are putting on your old Carhartts and hitting the road for those pig sales. Keeping both the breeder and the 4-H exhibitor in mind, I've made a survival kit for registering litters, as well as transferring the individual pigs to their new owners.
To make registering litters easier, I've prepared a list of what you'll need:
• a litter application
• original AI certificate
• copy of natural breeding certificate (if you used someone else's boar)
• breeder herdmark
• breeder number
• dam's ear notch and registration number
• sire's ear notch and registration number
• farrowing date
• ear notches of individual pigs
• total born
• number born alive
If you have a naturally bred litter, a copy of the breeding certificate is acceptable; however, if you are registering an AI litter you must have the original breeding certificate. There are no exceptions to this rule. Also, you will not have a breeder herdmark or number if you have never registered or transferred pigs. The breed secretaries will assign a herdmark and number when you send in your paperwork.
To transfer a pig to a new owner you'll need:
• ear notch of individual pig
• registration number
• date of sale
• name and address of whom the pig was sold to
A transfer may be called in by the breeder of the pig or by completing the information on the back of the pedigree (if the pig has already been registered). It is also possible to register and transfer at the same time. All registration papers are processed within a 24-hour period provided all the information listed above is present.
Remember not to wait until the last minute, and good luck to everyone registering and transferring litters this spring. See you this summer!
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Thoughts From The Word
by Ray Perryman, Short Round Ministries
Hey guys and gals! I consider it a great honor to write to y’all from time to time. In each article you will read from me, I will simply be sharing something God has been dealing with me about in my own personal life. I hope and pray that this article ministers to each of you as you read it.
In Genesis we find the story of how God created the earth and man. I have been thinking a lot about this lately. Can you imagine what Adam must have thought on the day that God created him? Even if God had never spoken to Adam, I guarantee you the first second Adam’s eyes were open and he saw the trees and the water, and felt the wind gently blow on his face and the cool soil under his feet, Adam would have known there had to be a creator.
Isn’t it amazing that many people have trouble believing that God exists? Now think for a moment and look outside at the sun, the clouds or the stars. Once you’ve taken time to do that, close your eyes and you will realize that God made this world with many purposes. When we slow down and actually look at his creation, he intended for there to be no denying God’s existence. Did you notice those two words - SLOW DOWN?
I hope and pray that each of you realize that there is nothing more important, or so pressing, that compromising your personal time with God is acceptable. God wants more than anything for you to get to know him more and more and more each day. All it takes to get to know him better is making time for him each day. Think of it this way. You would never have found your best friend if you had not taken the time to see what made him or her different from all the other people in this world. Would you? It’s the same with God. He’s got so many qualities and good things for us, if we will only take the time to see what makes him different than all the other things in our lives.
Remember if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it only takes a second to change your life. If times get hard and you need someone to pray with, or you just need someone to talk to, please feel free to call me at (936) 546-1987 any time day or night.
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Tips for Winning the Blue Ribbon
by Terrell Buck
Picture this - you are in the holding pen, waiting for the judge to let you into the show ring to show for Champion Showman at your county or state fair, or maybe even at a major national show such as the American Royal, National Western or N.A.I.L.E. Are you completely confident that your pig is going to allow you to show to the best of your ability? It is a well-known fact that your pig is a major factor on whether or not you are going to be competitive in your showmanship competitions. The only way to be sure that your pig is as ready for this contest as you are, is if you have done your homework.
Here are a few ideas that may help you to be more prepared for the next time you step into the ring:
1. Spend time with your show pigs.
Begin working with your show pigs when they weigh between 80 and 90 pounds. Start walking the pigs in small groups of two or three, and later, after they become comfortable with walking, begin walking them in the open field by themselves. Other than walking the pigs, it is important to spend time brushing and rubbing the pig to calm it down while it grows accustomed to your touch. The more time you spend with your show project, the better your pig will perform on show day.
2. Train your pig to show.
I am sure that everyone has heard the old sayings, "You perform like you practice," and "You reap what you sow." Well, the same applies with show pigs. Practice walking your pigs in a open area, but be consistent and use the same commands as you would in the show ring. Also use the same show stick or cane while you are practicing as you will use in the show ring. Practice showing your pig to a tree or other object, and pretend the objects are the judges. The practice that you do at home is not only for the pig, but also for yourself.
3. Weigh your pig.
When you first begin working with your show project, find out the weight limit at your target show and begin planning early. Know how much your pig is gaining and how much he needs to gain to be at the ideal weight for your target show. This tip is especially important for older show pigs that may be close to exceeding the weight limit.
4. Condition your pig’s skin.
It is important to wash your show project regularly, especially white pigs. Many show supply companies carry special purple soaps that work especially well on predominately white pigs. Another tip that might prove useful is to use a soft bristle brush when washing the pigs. This creates less irritation to the skin. Conditioners are very important to the skin coat of your pig. At least two weeks prior to the show, begin applying conditioner daily to the pig's skin. Nearly every show supply company makes a product that will work effectively. Probably the most important thing you can do for your pig’s skin coat, however, is to provide a good, clean living environment. A clean environment will not only help with the skin condition of the pig, but it is vital for the growth and freshness of appearance at the show.
5. Clip your show pig.
The secret of clipping is to make your show project look as natural as possible. When clipping the show animal, don't make obvious lines anywhere on the pig’s body, because that is unnatural. Before clipping, check rules and regulations of the show. Make sure clipping rules do not exist. I suggest you do all of your clipping before you go to the show. By doing this, you will reduce the stress factor of your show pig while at the show.
6. Tips for show day.
The big show day has finally arrived. You are appropriately dressed with a brush in your pocket. You are ready to take your pig into the ring. When your clean, well-groomed pig, which has a natural amount of fill, is first seen by the judge, the pig should look as good as possible. The judge's first look is the most important, therefore it is essential that the pig is moving at a slow pace so the judge can effectively evaluate your show project.
After the judge has viewed the pig, it is common courtesy to take your pig to the other end of the ring so your competitors will have the same opportunity for the judge to view their project. Once the entire class has entered the ring, keep your pig 10 to 15 feet in front of the judge and on the move at all times. The key to being in the right place at the right time is to anticipate where both the judge and your pig are going next. Everyone needs to pick a showmanship style in which he or she is comfortable, and able to drive the pig with ridiculous ease. In most successful showmanship styles, the driver is usually close enough so that he can touch the pig with the show stick, pipe or cane at all times.
Chances are you began showing because you thought it would be fun and you could win a ribbon. Now, many years later you have matured and realize just showing is not nearly as fun as showing and winning. Your focus is on one thing--winning that blue ribbon. I have to say, I too, get caught up in striving to win the blue ribbon, but I don't let that stop me from making friendships that will last a life time. So I want to say, just as Jennifer Shike said in her article, A Few Thoughts, "Don't be afraid to make competition fun. It's easy to get so caught up in trying to win, that you forget why you're really in the ring. If you aren't out there because you love it, then you aren't out there for the right reason. I've always believed that the happiest people don't necessarily take home the blue ribbon. Competition is a serious event and a great learning experience for our youth, but it is also a time for fun and meeting new people."
Whether you are a beginner, or an individual who loves showing pigs because of the extreme competitiveness with great friends, hopefully this will help you remember the key to success is hard work. If you are working extremely hard, doing your homework prior to the show, and getting your pig ready for show day, the awards you receive will mean a great deal more to you. On the other hand, if you are not doing your homework, I suggest you get started as soon as possible because I promise you, your competitors already have.
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Value in the Land of Plenty
by Warren Beeler
The true values of the junior swine project are so great in numbers and so diverse in forms that they happen so often that we rarely notice. Emphasis on winning has caused some of us to lose focus on what is really happening in this youth development project.
The successful project starts with a willingness to work hard and responsibly. I was taught that it is what you do when you do not have to do anything, that makes the difference. We sometimes wonder why certain individuals are successful. It usually boils down to the extra effort they make in finding, feeding, or fitting their pig. A person who is willing to work hard, whether it be digging a ditch or sitting at a computer, will accomplish many things and benefit themselves and their employer.
Winning and losing are the teachers within the junior swine project. The art of winning with humility, or being gracious in losing, greatly broadens one's scope of life and builds character. Winning is a contagious, wonderful feeling that brings gifts such as confidence and pride. I believe proud people do not get in trouble, take drugs, or self-destruct because they have too much self-respect. Confident people go on to become leaders and bosses because of their self-belief and ability to get others to believe in them.
Losing teaches many more lessons than winning. Experience at being the world’s best and most truthful teacher makes losing a prominent instructor in the junior swine project. Losing should never be taken personally. Losing helps us understand how we can make changes and improve. It takes a person of great character to congratulate the winner and the judge when they would rather not.
Learning at this level requires the ability to listen. People love to talk - especially about themselves. So, if you listen patiently they will tell you all they know and you will gain new knowledge. Oh, don't forget to sort off the useless, bad, or even illegal advice from the good. Projects demand you make many decisions about animals, people, and right from wrong. People with the courage to make good decisions will normally end up making decisions for others someday.
Frame of mind is another value influenced by the youth project. We all leave for the show with such high expectations. This is positive. But, remember that no matter how we place at the show, we need to maintain a hopeful, positive attitude for the next show.
How we look at a situation is critical to our future success. For example, when someone says, “it is going to rain”, do we think about the grass growing or making mud? One thought is positive, and the other is negative. The ability to look on the bright side of a problem opens our minds to thoughts and solutions to solve the problem. The dark side only emphasizes the problem and its possible effects. Positive people fix problems and have the same effect on others.
The junior swine project was not designed to make improvement in the hogs, but to develop quality values in young people. Hard work, self-respect, confidence, responsibility, decision making, teamwork, and maintaining a positive attitude are only a few highlighted values among the many received.
I saved the most important value for last. When I load up our stock and kids and head for the show, my wife describes the day as a "FAMILY DAY." The value of family spending time together in this “hurry-hurry world” is immeasureable. No institution seems more threatened these days than the family unit. Showing livestock builds bonds within the family and teaches the next generation a vital lesson about the importance of family.
I have been greatly blessed by seeing many of these values established among youth all over the country. I am now judging the second generation of show persons, and I am still very impressed. The next time you see me judging or participating in a show with my family, come shake my hand. Then, we’ll will both feel a little more value in our lives.
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