National Swine Registry

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Seedstock EDGE

History is Being Made
by Samuel Howell, NSR Field Director

A short time ago I received the Summer 2001 copy of The Pinnacle, The Official Newsletter of the National Junior Swine Association. I really enjoyed reading the various articles that were written by our junior members. Like the man said one time, “How do you know they can play ball if they sit on the bench?”

To read their thoughts, to watch their involvement at the different swine events, to visit with various junior members at the shows is a pleasure. As Darrell Anderson put it, they truly have a “passion” for our industry. The NJSA has given the youth of our industry a chance to be involved. The response from all parts of the country has been nothing short of “astronomical.” To Jennifer Shike, thank you and congratulations! You are serving a “noble cause.”

While on the subject of the many great articles found in this issue of The Pinnacle, I especially enjoyed the one found on page 4, written by a very special friend of mine, Allen E. Christian. If you haven’t read this article named “Changes” take the time to read it. It is thought provoking to say the least, especially if you raised hogs through all the years Al wrote about. You probably have a few grey hairs! As Al covers all the different types and trends we’ve been through, it is very clear these changes took place for ‘economic reasons.’ I raised hogs through every type change Al covered from 1960 on. As I think back to the different trends we have went through one thing is clear. We always went too far! A walk back through history is good for everyone to reflect back. The terms that Al wrote about that were used in judging circles back then are as clear in my mind today as they were back then.

The sobering thought to me however was when Al got to the year 2000. Like the man said, “If you don’t learn from your past mistakes you are destined to make them again.”

How will the history books record the 2000s? Will it say it was a time when:
A. It was show pigs at all costs!
B. Breeding programs were based around producing grooved tops and big dimples and better!
C. Little or no emphasis was placed on sow productivity, growth rate or soundness.
D. Some even thought the Stress Gene was needed!
E. Tight flanks, tipped up, small vulvas, even swirls were acceptable!
F. Computer enhanced photos were widely used in some advertising programs! Ethics!
G. The use of feed additives took the place of well planned breeding programs.
H. Muscle Quality – who cares?

Today will be history tomorrow. One can never go back and change things. We have an obligation to the next generation. The old saying, “Do what I say . . . not what I do,” has a way of coming back to haunt you.

My biggest fear for our industry today is that of having a market for show pigs after we are done showing them. The youth of today must be taught that their pig projects eventually become part of the “Food Chain.”

It’s not a matter of choosing up sides and drawing a line in the sand. To protect and preserve our future we must all be on the same side.

Let the history books record that in the 2000s the show pig industry took a giant step forward. Let it show that the “ideal” in show pigs can:

A. Grow fast, be efficient and be out of productive mothers.
B. Be made with Stress-Free parents.
C. Be made with pureline boars.
D. Be the “Ultimate” in “Muscle Quality.”
E. Be bred to be a Champion – not fed to be one!

Let the history books show that in the 2000s the only difference between the “ideal” in show pigs and the “ideal” in commercial hogs is that the show pig gets a “bath!”