Record-breaking sales and strong exhibitor participation at pig shows across the country are just a couple indicators that there’s a lot of momentum and enthusiasm around the purebred swine industry and the exhibition of hogs in 2021.
Clay Zwilling, chief executive officer of the National Swine Registry (NSR), believes this could be a result of more disposable income coming out of the pandemic after so many vacations, activities and entertainment options ceased when COVID-19 shut down the world as we know it last year.
Still, with all of the ways people could spend their money, why are they choosing to invest in showpigs?
“There’s just a lot of passion for the business right now,” Zwilling says. “Second-generation National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) members and their families are investing and wanting to be a part of this industry long-term. And frankly, I think that because of the market we’re in right now, there’s some disposable income as well and people want to invest in a project that builds kids.”
A Wise Investment
That’s why A.J. Williams, a show pig judge and livestock show dad from Cory, Ind., is a firm believer in the value of youth livestock shows.
In 2021, their family has attended the NJSA Southeast Regional in Perry, Ga.; The Exposition in Indianapolis, Ind.; and the National Junior Summer Spectacular in Louisville, Ky. He says they plan to attend the Southwest Regional in Woodward, Okla., and the Eastern Regional in Hamburg, N.Y., before the year is over.
“It’s one of the best investments we can make to enhance the next generation,” Williams says. “I recall a quote from many years ago that simply says, ‘Success breeds success.’ I think that exemplifies what we, as show livestock parents, are trying to accomplish for our younger ones.”
In addition to showing pigs, Williams’ children are very involved in sports and other activities like FFA and 4-H. However, the onset of COVID-19 shut down many of their other activities and allowed them to attend more shows than ever in the past year.
He says this is one of the best ways that he and his wife can invest in their kids’ futures while providing them with the most tools possible to be successful members of society as adults.
“We are exposing our children to an environment that at times can be very tough, yet very rewarding,” he says.
Friendly Competition
Sue Schafer, an FFA advisor and livestock show mom from Owaneco, Ill., agrees that the purebred youth swine organizations, NJSA and Team Purebred, have made a huge difference in her children’s lives.
“It’s not just the awards. It’s not just the accolades. It’s the competitive atmosphere that has made this such a great experience for our kids – a competitive atmosphere where they realize they can be competitive and supportive of their friends at the same time,” Schafer says.
She describes it as friendly competition at its finest – the kind of competition that makes you better while bringing up the people around you.
“I don’t know how to explain it – but it’s different than other shows. You’ll find these kids sitting around studying for the skillathon together or helping each other get to the show ring,” she says. “But when it’s time to compete against each other, they compete. Then, when it’s time to congratulate each other, they congratulate. That’s a rare thing these days.”
The community atmosphere is what keeps these families coming back and going to more youth swine shows throughout the U.S.
“We are exposing them to other young people who are currently and will continue to be successful in life,” Williams says. “If we sit back and look at the majority of our industry’s leaders that are 40 and younger, they have a common denominator: participation in youth swine shows.”
Photos by Seedstock Edge Media/National Swine Registry
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The Stock Show “Prize” We Need to Talk More About
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