It is never to early to start tracking you weights and days on a calander. A great suggestion is to get a calander and number the dates brackwards from your show date to today.  This will allow you to know everyday how many days until your show.  With tracking your weights you can also determine your animalks growth rates and if you need to speed up or slow down. If you don’t have access to a scales contact your advisor or feed dealer and they will be able to help you out.  Also get with you feed dealer to schedule farm visits with them and your feed reps. This will allow them to hekp advise you with your projects and make changes before your show!  Good luck as we go into the summer show season!

Eric King

I know that sales season is hot and heavy.  People are buzzing about who has the hot pigs and how much they are bringing.  I know it is easy to get up in the excitement of it all and rush out and buy the first pig that hits you.  Remember, pig shows aren’t won in March and April.  The best advice I can give you right now is to be patient and keep your priorities in line when you buy a pig.  If you are showing in August those pigs are just now rounding into shape and most of the good ones won’t even sell for another couple of weeks.  If your rushing out and buying a pig just because you neighbor did, you’re going to have a big one come July and probably be disappointed with the result.  Do me a favor and look over that list of priorities you made.  Make sure the pig you buy checks off the majority of the list and fits the size and age you are looking for.  When you find that specific pig, you’ll be in great shape come June, July, and August, because that’s when pig shows are won!

Good Luck,

Ryan Kephart

Spring is here and people are out and about looking for the next champion show pig.  I thought I would offer a few pieces of advice I have learned throughout the years to use when selecting your next show pig.

1.  1st impressions are important:  A pig needs to make one on you just like it does a judge.  This doesn’t mean you have to buy based on 1st impressions.  But try to account for it in your evaluation of each prospect.

2.  Stick to the Basics:  The single best piece of advice I have ever recieved is to start one that’s problem free.  This may seem obvious but its harder to do than you think.  If you can find one that’s built right from the ground up you’ll end up in a good place come summer.  This is usually a greener made animal that doesn’t have as much muscle as it’s contemporaries.  If you think you can fix something in a young one as it gets older,  your starting behind and it’s hard to catch up.

3.  Size matters:  Plan ahead for your fair and select an pigs that’s size appropriate.  It’s easier for everybody involved if you don’t have to hold one or push one to hard in the heat of summer.  It’s always tempting to buy a big one that’s blooomy and ready.  Be patient and select an age and size appropriate pig for your needs.

Good luck this spring and feel free to contact me at any time with questions about your showpigs.

Ryan

We at Umbarger Show Feeds want to thank all of our customers and dealers for making this past summer another Banneryear.  The summer started off great with lots of success at the National Jr. shows.  A few highlights include Grand Steer at the Hereford Jr. National, Grand Prospect Steer at Maine-Anjou Jr. National, Grand Bred and Owned

Steer at the Shorthorn Jr. National, Reserve Spot Barrow at Team Purebred, and many class winners.  County Fair season came next and the winners started pouring in.  We are on pace for another great year as more winners come in literally every day.  While there are still a few State Fairs coming up the majority of

the midwest state fairs are accounted for and it was another great year.  Some customer highlights included Grand Heifer at IN, Reserve Grand Steer at IN, Grand Open Lamb at IN, Grand Lamb at OH, Reserve Grand Steer at OH, Grand Heifer at IA, and multiple breed champions and reserves in all species.  We realize the countless hours and dollars spent on these projects over the last year and we are honored to be a part of your success.
Thanks again,

Umbarger Show Feeds

Now that some summer heat has actually arrived it is time to start dialing in your pig projects.  Many county fairs are just around the corner and now is the time to take it up a notch in preparation.  Here are a few pointers that should help make your summer more enjoyable for you and your pigs.

1. Keep them cool!   Pigs have a hard time dispersing heat from their bodies and it is important to keep them cool in the hot summer months.  Fans are great but be careful with them as well.  Make sure electrical cords can’t be reached by your pig and they don’t need to be on at night, especially cool nights like we get in early June.   If you can’t run fans natural shade is a great option and you can also rinse them throughout the day if you are home.

2.  Lots of Water!  Pigs will needs lots of clean fresh water in the summer.  It keeps them hydrated, cool, and fresh.  Be sure to check the temperature of your water.  If the water is too hot, the pigs won’t drink it and soon will be losing weight and not eating enough feed.

3.  Exercise!  Getting you and your pig in shape is extremely important.  If you want to win, either a class, grand overall, or showmanship, you and your pig will be required to show for long periods of time.  The showmen who can drive their pigs for the extended time and remain calm, cool, and collected usually sort themselves to the top.  It is important to train your pig to show for at least 20 to 30 minutes straight.  Training to show is different than just walking your pig.  He or she needs to understand that it will be shown with a whip or pipe for 20 to 30 minutes in the same arena making lap after lap.  You can simulate this experience at home and you will find that this extra step will reward you and your pig at the end of the summer!

4.  Track your weights!  Keep track of you weight and keep your target in mind as you go through the summer.  Make small changes necessary to avoid big problems at the end.  This will keep you and your pigs happier during July and August.

5.  Clean pigs really shine on show day!  Keep your pigs clean and healthy this summer.  Daily rinsing and washing of your pig helps ensure it’s hair stays healthy and clean.  Daily sprays can be applied as well, but be careful of oily ones in the heat of the summer.  The oil can lead to overheating and stress.  Showing pigs is about presentation and clean skin and hair go a long way in making a winning first impression.

6.  On time, every time!  This little saying goes a long way to deciding who takes home the banners at the end of the year.  There are many times when taking care of your pig project may not seem as appealing as going out with friends or the many other options you  have in the summer.  But being on time, every time to feed, water, and exercise will pay huge dividends at the end of the summer.  The biggest rewards usually come to those who work the hardest and this little saying will get farther than you would ever believe.

These 6 tips are tried and true and will help get you in the winners circle.  Good luck to everyone and we can’t wait to hear your summer turns out!

Wishing you the Best!

Ryan Kephart and Umbarger Show Feeds