The 2001 Virginia State Fair Junior and Open Market Swine Shows

Livestock Update, July 2001

Allen Harper, Extension Animal Scientist - Swine, Virginia Tech Tidewater AREC

The State Fair Junior Market Hog Show offers an opportunity for youth swine exhibitors to expand their level of project participation beyond county or regional shows. It also offers youngsters who do not have access to a local market hog show the opportunity to conduct a market hog project and exhibit their animals. Exhibitors too old or too young to qualify for the junior show may opt for participation in the State Fair Open Market Hog Show, which is open to exhibitors of all ages. Specific advantages of participation in the State Fair Junior Market Hog Show include: 1) total prize monies of approximately $3000, 2) additional carcass evaluation prize monies of approximately $500, 3) opportunities for a youth scholarship monies for post-secondary education costs, and 4) an excellent opportunity to visit with other youth and families involved in swine projects.

The following are some general rules and deadlines for the Virginia State Fair Youth and Open Market Hog Shows.

• Pig arrival is Saturday, October 6 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. (pigs may also arrive with open show pigs on Friday, October 5).
• Pig weigh-in is Saturday, October 6 from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m.
• Pigs must have been farrowed on or after April 1, 2001.
• Pigs must be under the care of the exhibitor by July 24, 2001.
• Entries close on August 15, 2001.
• There is no per pig entry fee but there is a $5.00 exhibitor participation fee.
• Project record books are due from each participant by Saturday, October 6 at 5:00 p.m. For 4-H participants, the advanced livestock project record book #380-121 is recommended for more experienced and older participants; and, livestock project record book #380-122 is recommended for less experienced, younger participants.
• Entries are limited to 7 head (a maximum of 3 singles and 2 pair). Youth participants may also have additional entries in the open show.
• Only barrows and gilts are eligible. The show weight range is 220 to 270 lbs. live weight. Under-weight and over-weight entries will be sold but are not eligible to show. The Sate Fair youth swine show is a terminal show and all entries are sold at the conclusion of the show.
• All youth swine, beef and sheep entries are subject to on-farm inspections to verify entry information. All exhibitors must agree to accommodate such inspections if requested.
• More detailed rules and entry forms can be obtained from Cheryl Carlton, State Fair of Virginia, P.O. Box 26805, Richmond, Virginia 23261; phone 804-569-3224 or Allen Harper, Extension Swine Specialist, VA Tech Tidewater AREC, 6321 Holland Road, Suffolk, Virginia 23437; phone 757-657-6450, ext. 106.
• Assuming healthy pigs in a good environment, pig weights on July 24 should be approximately 115 to 130 lbs. to make a show weight range of 220 to 270 lbs. on October 7.
• A new Virginia 4-H Market Hog Project Guide publication 414-001 is available through local extension offices to provide basic information on conducting a successful market hog project from start to finish.

• Pig arrival is Friday, October 5 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
• Pig weigh-in is Friday, October 5 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• Entries close on August 15, 2001.
• Entries limited to 7 head (i.e. 3 singles and 2 pairs).
• Entry fee is $4.00 per head, $12.00 per head for late entries.
• Only barrows and gilts are eligible, show weight range is 220 to 270 lbs.

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