Transcript Market Steer Essentials

Market Swine Essentials
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Topics to Discuss
The following topics will be discussed:
• Selection
• Where to purchase pigs
• Validation
• Facilities and Equipment
• Nutrition, Management and Exercise
• Health
• Fitting and Showing
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection
Classification
• Up to ten breeds may be classified depending on
show
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Berkshire
Chester White
Duroc
Hampshire
Landrace
- Poland China
- Spot, Yorkshire
- Dark Crossbred
- Crossbred
• Some shows combine other purebreds into OPB
• Agents should become familiar with classification
guidelines
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection
• Classification cont.
• Classification relies on genetics and
physical characteristics such as:
– Color markings
– Physical structure
– Set of the ear
– Breed character
• Be familiar with the consequences of
classifying out of a show.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection cont.
Age and Weight of Market Hog
• Current trend is fast-growing hogs with plenty of rib shape and
capacity.
• Most market hogs are five and half to six and half months old
when shown.
• All shows have minimum and maximum weight limits, most have
weigh back rules.
• Agent should become familiar with weight limits
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection cont.
Quality Considerations
• Selection criteria include: muscle,
structural correctness, style and balance,
and growth potential
• Pigs might be tender footed when
selecting depending on the type of floors
they are on.
• Important to select for soundness
• Lameness in young pigs will typically
increase as the pigs get older.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Where to
Purchase Pigs
• Private treaty is becoming more and
popular over sales
• Pigs will generally be between 40 and 75
lbs. when purchased.
• Buying off the farm allows individual to see
sows, visit about genetics, vaccination
schedule, etc.
• When going to farm be on time, alert the
breed if you have been on any other farms,
always wait for the breeder before stepping
into the barn
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Validation
• State Fair of Texas – June deadline
• Major Winter Shows (Fort Worth, San
Antonio, San Angelo, Austin, and
Houston) – November deadline
• Most county shows require either county
or state tags.
• Tags for the State Fair of Texas are
ordered the last of April
• San Angelo pigs must have been born
and bred in Texas
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Facilities and
Equipment
• At least 20 sq. ft. of spacer per pig
• Barn should be well ventilated, well
drained, and open to south or east
• Shade is essential
• Keep cool during summer and warm
during winter
• Can be kept on cement or dirt floors
• Avoid slippery flooring, sharp edges, etc.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Facilities and
Equipment
• Feeders should be hung at a height
which equals top of pigs’ shoulder
• Most market hogs are individually
housed to monitor weight gain and feed
consumption
• Fresh water is very important
• Nipple waters or trough waters may be
used
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Facilities and
Equipment
• Other equipment needed includes:
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Brush
Show stick
Pipe or whip
Shovel
Electric clippers with
proper combs and cutters
– Syringes and needles
– Small portable feed trough
– Water bucket
– Show box
– Portable livestock
scale
– Extension cord
– Heat lamp
– Electric fan
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Nutrition, Management
and Exercise
• No magic formula for champioins
• The total feeding programs creates success
this includes: feeding schedule, exercise
program, careful observation
• Five basic nutrients include: water, protein,
carbohydrates and fats (energy), minerals
and vitamins
• Balanced commercially prepared ration
should be prepared
• Should be at least 16 to 20 percent
• Do not constantly change rations
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Nutrition, Management
and Exercise
• Do not make abrupt changes in feeding
• Pigs should consume around 4-6.5 lbs
per day, split between two feedings
• Weigh pig regularly
• Protein requirements decrease as pig
grows
• Exercise builds up endurance, tones
muscle, and requires exhibitor to work
with animal
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Nutrition, Management
and Exercise
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Should be at least 16 to 20 percent
Do not constantly change rations
Do not make abrupt changes in feeding
Pigs should consume around 4-8.5 lbs
per day, split between two feedings
• Protein requirements decrease as pig
grows
• Exercise builds up endurance, tones
muscle, and requires exhibitor to work
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
with animal
Health
• Key to a healthy pig program is
development of preventative health
program
• Erysipelas, atrophic rhinitis, circovirus,
leptospirorsis, mycoplasma are a few
viruses pigs should be vaccinated for
• Pigs should be dewormed monthly (rotate
wormers with at least one rotation of
Atguard or Safeguad)
• Ivemectin controls external parasites like
lice and mange
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Health
• Observe daily for infections or viruses
• Follow all state and federal laws when
administering drugs
• Feed labels cannot be altered by a
producer or veterinarian and must be
used according to the label
• Most livestock shows strictly prohibit the
use of performance enhancing drugs
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Fitting and Showing
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Skin care is very important for show preparation
Most market shows are water only
Hair care begins early on in the feeding period
Brush hogs twice a week
Be careful using oils on white hogs so they do
not get sunburn
• One weed prior to the show pigs should be
clipped
• Keep hair about ½ to ¾ inch in length
• Can be done by using a #1 or #2 guard on
clippers
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Health cont.
• When administering drugs follow all
directions on drug labels to Quality
Assurance.
• The use of drugs in manner unintended
violates laws set by the Food and Drug
Administration
• Texas livestock shows have strict laws
for illegal drug use and will disqualify
animals if illegal drugs are used
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Fitting and Showing
• Angora goats are shown in their natural
state, never washed.
• Important that fleece contamination by hay,
dirt, etc. be kept to a minimum
• When mohair gets long Angora goats tend
to urinate on themselves, trimming
prevents this.
• Mohair can be worked so it will open easier
when being evaluated.
• Important to do properly otherwise can
cause more harm than good.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Fitting and Showing cont.
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No set rules for fitting Boer goats
Shorn slick a month or two before show
Boer goats generally washed before show
Both Angora and Boer should be halter
broken and taught to lead.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Additional questions to
address with Exhibitors
• What are the goals of the 4-H member and
family?
• What shows or time of the year will you exhibit
the project(s)?
• Will you need assistance in locating and selecting
your project?
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Additional Resources
for Market Swine
Pork Information Gateway
(http://tamu.porkgateway.org)
TAMU Animal Science website
(http://animalscience.tamul.edu)
Raising Show Pigs
By Ricky Thompson
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Conclusions
• All aspects of the selection process should be
understood. (classification, age and weight,
quality consideration)
• Agents should help youth locate pigs and know
the proper etiquette when visiting farms.
• All pigs should be properly validated for each
show they will be attending.
• Proper facilities should be available.
• Proper diets and nutritional information about
feeding goats should be identified.
• Health is one of the most important aspects of
raising breeding goats.
• All rules should be followed in regards to fitting
prior to show.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development