Northwest Michigan 4-H Livestock Council
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Swine

Species-Chair:
Nicki Brown   *   nbrown7@mhc.net  *
   231-883-9523

Assistant Species-Chair:
​Todd Brown
  *   231-883-9528

IMPORTANT DATES

 

IMPORTANT INFO

Registration

February 1st

 

Minimum Weight @ Fair

225 lbs

Birth Date

After January 1st, 2021

 

Maximum Weight @ Fair

315lbs

Possession

May 1st

 

Record Book

Required

Tagging

TBD

 

Thank You Note

Required

 


IMPORTANT Tagging Update for 2021
If your breeder does not tag with a USDA 840 tag prior to your project pig leaving their farm, you will need to secure your own premise ID tag from MDARD.
​Read this article for more information.
https://www.michiganfarmnews.com/updates-made-for-obtaining-official-identification-for-exhibition-swine-in-2021?fbclid=IwAR0_ITSkiSPfVTx12Dq7zge5nZdSBQGYS37Dvg8gd1YVFb-t8g_4f5bQ0tg

2021 Swine Guidebook
File Size: 208 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Swine Tagging Form
File Size: 19 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Swine Health Record
File Size: 355 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

UPDATED RECORD BOOKS COMING SOON!!!

Newsletters
Issue #1 - 2/8/21
File Size: 350 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Fair Week Expectations

THURSDAY
 AND FRIDAY

Decorate and prepare pens with sawdust.
Give your pig a good bath before coming to the Fairgrounds.

SATURDAY
Bring your clean pig to the Fairgrounds.
Ear tag must be CLEAN and readable.

Your pig will be weighed when you unload.
    Jot down the weight and take your pig to its pen.
Attend Barn Meeting
Attend Meeting in Grandstands.
Washing Pigs-Adult must be present.

SUNDAY
Green/White Market Card must be up in your pen.
Washing Pigs-Adult must be present.
Practice Time in Haberlein Arena - Times will be assigned by club

ARENA SET UP--For shows on Monday and Tuesday-- Approx 9pm
  Please help us out, if you are on the grounds, parents, leaders, and 4-Her's.

MONDAY AND TUESDAY
Back tags will be available in the back of the barn.
Clean show clothes-button down shirt or polo, jeans-no holes, please,
     work type boot or shoe.
Know your class or division number.
Monday is all about you and your knowledge of your project.
Tuesday is all about your pig and how it will end up in the market.
PARENTS/LEADERS - We need 2 - 3 volunteers from each club per show.

CLEAN BARN AFTER SHOWS--it is everyone's responsibility.

WEDNESDAY
SMILE--IT"S PICTURE DAY--PLEASE DO NOT FEED PIGS
  UNTIL PICTURES ARE FININSHED.
All clubs are responsible to help their club with pictures.
Bring some treats and feed for your pigs.
Collect your ribbons and wear club shirts.
CLEAN BARN-after all pictures are taken.
Sit in your pen in the evening and speak to potential buyers.

THURSDAY
AUCTION DAY
Gather your ribbons and sell your pig.
Remember to thank your buyer after you put your pig away.
A small gift and thank you card can be given to your buyer.
GREEN /WHITE MARKET CARD--add your buyer and price per lb.
Sit in the arena and cheer on your friends.
CLEAN BARN--after last pig is auctioned off.

FRIDAY
**REMEMBER: Just because this is a free day and the pigs have been sold, does NOT mean
that you do not need to feed your pig and clean its pen**

SATURDAY
Leaders Only--You may pick up your trucking papers in the back of the barn.

SUNDAY
Be in your pen by 6am with your paperwork. Do not take down your
market card until your pig has been loaded. Clean your pen before
your leave.

 ​ Swine Registration Information
TO:                  All 4-H Leaders with 4-H Members Raising 4-H Animals
FROM:                         Kim Franke - 4-H Swine Species Chairman 
                As you may be aware, the 4-H Species Chair and assistant and the Fair’s Superintendent of Swine and assistants spent many hours drafting a proposal.  Two additional meetings were held - November 30 to elicit input from leaders, parents and 4-H members and on December 23 with 4-H staff.  A wide range of ideas were suggested; thank you to those who attended and shared ideas.  The 4-H Council leadership listened and is trying to accommodate as many viewpoints as possible.  The goal is to limit the number of swine to the capacity of the swine barn in the most fair and equitable way possible.
 
                4-H is all about learning and responsibility.  Thus we have decided to strengthen the learning experience for 4-H members. 
 
                The expectations of all 4-H members raising swine are (new expectations are in italics):
v  The registration deadline for 4-H swine is the 4-H Livestock Council meeting in February
Completed registrations can be:
 Ø Scanned and emailed to Livestock Council (nwmi4hlivestock@gmail.com) No later than midnight the day of the February meeting
 Ø  OR hand-delivered to the Grand Traverse or Leelanau MSU Extension office by 4:00 p.m. the day of the February meeting
 Ø  OR handed to a Livestock Council Board Member at the February Livestock Council meeting.
 Ø  Registrations may be submitted prior to the deadline; early registration is encouraged.
 Ø  No late swine registrations will be accepted
 
v  There are two new 4-H swine registration forms --- one for individual members and one for the 4-H club; see attached.  Both forms must be submitted by the deadline above.  The forms will be posted on the 4-H Livestock Council website as well as the Animal Science page of theGrand Traverse County 4-H and Leelanau County 4-H websites in early January.
 
v  Space in the swine barn is at a premium - there are only 193 pens thus it is essential that whenever possible each pen house 2 pigs.  Pigs that are raised on the same property will be housed together at the fair.  On the 4-H club registration form (mentioned above), 4-H members must identify what pigs are being housed together.  Note that at home the pigs do not need to be housed in the same pen but must be in pens next to or very near each other.
 
v  All 4-H swine will be tagged at the NWM fairgrounds on two dates in May. All 4-H swine must be ear tagged on one of these two dates.. Even if your breeder tagged your pig, your tag must be verified at the fairgrounds on one of these dates. 
 
v  4-H’ers are allowed to tag and raise a second pig ($10 fee for second tag which must be paid on tagging day); all the members in that immediate family can choose and bring the best pigs to the fair.
 
v  If a pig becomes sick or dies, it may be possible to replace it; the deadline for replacements is May 31.  Members should contact their club leader who should contact the swine Species Chair for approval of the replacement.
 
 
v  All swine members are required to attend a minimum of 2 educational opportunities prior to June 30. Several opportunities will be offered locally; a list of qualifying opportunities will be available under the Education section of the website. 
 
v  All swine members must complete two hours of work during one of the work bees scheduled on the NWM fairgrounds prior to fair.  Any member who has not participated in a work bee will be excused from the program and will not be able to bring his/her pig to the fair.
 
v  Acceptable swine market weight is 225-315lbs.  Members who have swine that weigh less than 225 pounds or more than 315 pounds at weigh-in on Saturday will still participate in the appropriate 4-H showmanship class, however they will not participate in 4-H market classes, the 4-H auction and the animals cannot be sold by private treaty.  The member will be expected to remove the animal from the fairgrounds at the end of fair week.
 
v  Refer to the current 4-H Livestock General Guidebook & the Swine Guidebook for additional requirements regarding member’s age, animal’s age, possession date, vaccination, swine health record, replacements, worming, showmanship, clothing, etc.


​​
​*Cold Weather - Keep your pig comfortable and healthy by making sure it stays warm. If you are able, hang a heat lamp and put up a thermometer in your barn. You can also use an electric heater. Make sure bedding is always dry.

*Swine Health Record - *** New this year *** your vaccinations must be completed by May 30. The signed Health Record is required when you bring your pig to fair. Ask your breeder if they vaccinate for Circovirus, Influenza, Erysipelas, and Mycoplasma.

*Worming - You need to worm your pig twice before you come to fair. Memorial Day and July 4th are good dates to follow.

*Work Bees - All 4-Her's marketing an animal must complete a 2 hour Work Bee at the Fairgrounds. Make sure you sign in and out to receive credit. Please come prepared with your own tools (rakes, shovels, tarps, wheelbarrows.) Dates are posted on the home page.

*Volunteers - We can always use an extra hand with something. During Fair Week, sign up sheets will be posted in the barn and contact Kim or MaryAnn to help.

​

Resources
www.mipork.org

www.showpig.com
Click on Show Community, then resources.

http://pork.msue.msu.edu

www.mipork.org

www.thepigsite.com


Project Market Hog Purchasing Guide
​
Pig Parts

How to estimate the weight of a hog
"Preparing for the Final Drive" by Hannah Bollinger
File Size: 2759 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

​4-H Swine Breeders
Links for 4-H Pig Producers
www.boydshowpig.com/
Boyd Show Pig Auction - April 2 (Download Flyer)

www.svecfarms.com/#

Jim Demoulpied - 231-947-2186 or 231-631-6263

Tim Recker
reckerswinefarms.com

231-342-7698


Melissa Osborn 231-218-3770
​
Hilltop Feed
(Taking orders for delivery to Hilltop Feed from Trattle Livestock)
www.trattleslivestock.com

www.brightswine.com

www.mipigs.com

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Fair

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  • Home
  • Species-Specific
    • Dairy Feeder
    • Dog
    • Goat
    • Horse
    • Junior Beef
    • Lamb
    • Large Beef
    • Llama & Alpaca
    • Poultry
    • Rabbit & Cavy
    • Swine
    • Differently Abled Program
  • Council Info
  • Guidebooks
  • Education
  • Scholarships/Clover Award