The Virginia State Fair Junior and Open Market Hog Shows

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The Virginia State Fair Junior and Open Market Hog Shows

Livestock Update, July 2003

Allen Harper, Extension Animal Scientist - Swine, Tidwater AREC

The structure of the swine industry has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Hog farms in Virginia and elsewhere are fewer in number but larger and more specialized. However, 4-H and FFA market hog projects and local youth swine exhibitions continue to be popular. In many cases, young people involved in the market hog project do not live on a farm that produces hogs commercially.

Youth participants and their families do not have to be engaged in commercial swine production to learn from the experience of conducting the market hog project and exhibiting the animals at the conclusion of the project. VCE publication 414-001 Virginia 4-H Youth Market Hog Project Guide offers a comprehensive information resource for conducting youth market hog projects.

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 that are not of 4-H or FFA age 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 to earn 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 2003 Virginia State Fair Youth and Open Market Hog Shows.

State Fair of Virginia Junior Market Hog Show - Sunday, October 5 at 2:00 p.m.

Pig arrival is Saturday, October 4 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. (pigs may also arrive with open show pigs on Friday, October 3).
Pig weigh-in is Saturday, October 4 from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Pigs should have been born on or after April 1, 2003.
Pigs must be owned and under the care of the exhibitor by July 22, 2003.
Entries close on August 15, 2003.
There is no per pig entry fee but there is a $7.00 per exhibitor participation fee.
Project record books are due from each participant by Saturday, October 4 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. Livestock project record book #380-122 is recommended for younger, less experienced participants. Record books are available through local Extension offices.
Entries are limited to 7 head (a maximum of 3 singles and 2 pair). Youth participants may also register for additional entries in the open show.

Only barrows and gilts are eligible. The show weight range is 220 to 270 lbs. Underweight and overweight entries are not eligible to be shown, but are eligible for sale. The State Fair Junior Market Hog Show is a terminal show and all entries must be 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 23261-6805, phone 804-569-3220, FAX 804-569-3252. This information is also available from Allen Harper, Virginia Tech Tidewater AREC, 6321 Holland Road, Suffolk, Virginia 23437, phone 757-657-6450, ext. 106.
Assuming healthy pigs kept in a good environment, pigs should weigh about 115 to 135 lbs. on July 22 in order to make a show weight range of 220 to 270 lbs. on October 5.

State Fair of Virginia Open Market Hog Show - Saturday, October 4 at 5:00 p.m.

Pig arrival is Friday, October 3 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Pig weigh-in is Friday, October 3 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Entries close on August 15, 2003.
Entries are limited to 7 head per exhibitor (3 singles and 2 pairs).
Entry fee is $4.00 per head, late entry fee (after August 15) is $12.00 per head.
Only barrows and gilts are eligible, show weight range is 220 to 270 lbs.

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