John Garrard grew up raising pigs. He showed pigs in 4-H all his growing up years and his dad kept 10-15 sows which they bred and raised the piglets up to market weight. It was always something he enjoyed. John grew up and left the farm to pursue a career in dentistry. When he moved back to the Magic Valley, he wanted to get his oldest son involved with raising and showing pigs. It was hard to find a place to do it at first. They started off with a pen of pigs on his cousin’s land. He kept going until he could build his own facility about 10 years ago.

It has been very rewarding for him to breed pigs for local kids to have the opportunity to participate in a swine 4-H project. Cassia County is not a place where many show pigs are available and John serves the area very well with show pigs at an affordable price. He mentors about 40 kids each year, and if he doesn’t have enough piglets to go around, he arranges for pigs to be purchased for the kids out of Iowa.

Breeding Program Goals

I have certain breeders that I trust and buy semen from. One huge advantage that I have is we ultrasound our pigs at the fair every year, so I get to see measurements of loin eye and backfat. I use that information as I select my semen for the next year.

Last year there were 11 market classes at our fair and I had 5 class winners, all born out of one litter. So, I feel like I have been able to make pretty good progress with my breeding program. I am excited to see how my litter does this year. It is one of the most consistent litters I have ever had.

Choosing a Pig

When it’s time to choose a pig, we invite all the 4-H kids over, and we draw names for who gets to pick the first pig. We just keep drawing until we get through all the names, and everyone has selected a pig.

My sows are black with a white belt, Hampshire dominated genetics. Many of the 4-H kids and parents have learned they like selecting a black pig because it is easier to keep clean.

Some show pigs that have more of a Yorkshire heritage will be white with blue spots on the butt. White is not all bad because the lighter color makes the animals look bigger. If you have a facility where you can keep them inside, it is a lot easier to keep a white hog looking clean enough for the show.

Duroc genetics bring in a red coloring and it seems many kids like those. Some of the kids choose their pig based on color, some of the older ones may a little more about conformation and may factor that into their decision as well.

Showing a Pig

The time you spend with your pig is the biggest thing. If you want them to be calm at the show you need to have built trust with them. My daughter had a pig years ago that was the meanest pig we have ever had. We have never had a pig we could not train up until then. But, when we got into the show, that pig was the best pig. She even won fitting and showing with it. I thought there was no way she was going to win showing that pig, but under the stress at the show it knew her, and it knew the show whip. It turned out to be the perfect pig in the showring.

Nowadays show pigs are bred to almost look like they are walking up hill. You want to show your pig with its head up, which gives it more of the appearance of walking up hill. We want muscle and broad shoulders and all that, but they really need to be walking with their heads up.

A few years ago, my son easily won showmanship because he was the only one in his class that could keep the head up. Now there are a lot of good showmen in our county that can keep their pig’s heads up and that is really what I love is watching. Those kids that have spent so much time working with their pigs.

Teaching the pigs to walk with their heads up involves a lot of tapping with the whip to teach them to keep their head up. Sometimes we use a beef show stick instead of the whip, but what we mostly do is take them out and walk them through tall pasture every evening through the summer. It’s the easiest way for them to naturally learn how to lift their head when they walk.

Nutrition

Piglets get a pre-starter while they are with mom, and then switch to a grower feed later. We have found that we like to use higher fat rations for the show pigs.  A few years ago, the show industry trended for those very lean pigs, we kept one and ate it and it wasn’t very good. Thankfully the show industry has trended back to a little fatter hog. When we ultrasound at the fair we are looking for 0.5-0.75 inch of backfat.

Club Support

We have four or five swine 4-H clubs around here. The fun thing is we are all a tight group. We all support and cheer each other on. It’s all about learning and growing together.

John, thank you for your dedication to introducing youth to agriculture by helping them to source and complete a 4-H swine project. We appreciate all you do in your community!

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

The immune system is a remarkable defense mechanism that plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of all animals, including swine. Pigs, face various challenges throughout their life cycle, including infectious diseases, environmental stressors, and changes in management practices. A robust and efficient immune system is essential for swine to withstand these challenges and maintain optimal health and productivity.

 

Innate vs. Adaptive Immunity

Swine are highly susceptible to a range of infectious diseases, including respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal infections, and reproductive disorders. These diseases can lead to reduced growth rates, poor feed conversion, increased mortality, and significant economic losses for swine producers. Fortunately, swine possess an innate and adaptive immune system that works together to defend against these pathogens.

The innate immune system provides the first line of defense and acts rapidly upon pathogen detection. It includes physical barriers like the skin and mucous membranes, as well as immune cells like neutrophils and macrophages that engulf and destroy invading microorganisms. Additionally, the innate immune system produces antimicrobial peptides and cytokines that help combat infections and regulate the immune response.

The adaptive immune system, on the other hand, is highly specific and develops upon exposure to pathogens. It involves specialized immune cells called T and B lymphocytes that produce antibodies and memory cells. These memory cells “remember” previous encounters with pathogens, allowing for a quicker and more robust response upon re-infection.

 

Environmental Challenges

Throughout a pig’s life cycle, its immune system combats various challenges. During the neonatal period, piglets rely on the passive transfer of antibodies from the mother’s colostrum for protection. As they wean and transition to solid feed, their own immune system gradually develops. Vaccination programs are implemented to stimulate the production of specific antibodies against common swine pathogens.

In swine production, crowded housing conditions, environmental stressors, and transportation can weaken the immune system, making pigs more susceptible to infections. Therefore, optimizing management practices, including proper ventilation, sanitation, and biosecurity measures, is crucial to support a healthy immune system and prevent disease outbreaks.

 

Nutrition

Furthermore, nutrition plays a vital role in immune system function. A well-balanced diet, adequate in essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, helps maintain a strong immune response. Nutritional interventions, such as the inclusion of prebiotics and probiotics in the diet, can also enhance gut health and support a robust immune system in swine.

 

 

In conclusion, the immune system is of paramount importance in swine production. It defends pigs against various infectious diseases and enables them to cope with the challenges they face throughout their life cycle. By understanding the significance of immune function and implementing appropriate management practices, producers can promote swine health, welfare, and productivity while ensuring the sustainability of the swine industry.

 

Disclaimer: The following material has been generated using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The content and information provided are based solely on patterns and data available up until September 2021. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, there may be errors, omissions, or inaccuracies present in the generated content. This material should not be considered as professional advice or a substitute for human-generated content. Users are encouraged to verify the information independently and consult relevant experts or sources for specific guidance. The responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided lies solely with the user. The AI model, OpenAI, and its developers bear no responsibility or liability for any consequences or damages that may arise from the use of this material.