4-H Swine

Pigs do not roll in the mud for fun. They roll in the mud to keep cool because pigs cannot sweat. This is only one of the amazing facts you will learn about swine through being part of the 4-H swine project. The swine project teaches why people raise swine, how to select a pig for your project, feeding and caring for your pig, learning about swine behavior, parts of a pig and how to fit and show swine. The swine project is a great way to learn about animal health, management and animal behavior!

Scroll down and click on each of the show tabs to see important show information.


Project Information

Description-Youth select their pig in September or October and raise it for December and January show dates. Participants can elect to find their own pigs or participate in the 4-H pig pool. Please contact Mr. Doug Berny for more details. Swine clinics and workshops occur throughout the fall and early winter. Shows typically occur in January with each participant bringing their own pig back home. It is up to the exhibitor to sell their pig, but the 4-H office can provide assistance.

Eligibility-3rd-12th

Cost-Free

Location: Williamson County Extension – 4215 Long Lane, Franklin, TN 37064

Dates-September-January

Class Limit-Unlimited

walking pig

Shows

Description– Our County show is an opportunity to gain experience in the show ring participating in Showmanship and Market Hog/Commercial Gilt Show.

Eligibility-3rd-12th

Cost-Free

Location: Williamson County Extension – 4215 Long Lane, Franklin, TN 37064

Date– Sunday afternoon, December 3, 2023 – Check-in begins at 1:00 PM, Showmanship at 2:15 PM , followed by Commercial Gilts, then Market Hogs

Class Limit-Unlimited

Description-Central Region Swine Show –

Check in for the show is from 12:00 Noon until 4:00 PM, January 10, 2024. All hogs showing in the Central Region show must be on-site by no later than 4:00 PM.

Eligibility-4th-12th – All hogs must be owned, tagged and entered by Williamson County deadline of Oct 20, 2023.

Cost-Entry fee of $20.00 per hog and covers the opportunity to show at County, Region and State.

Location– Tennessee Tech (Hyder-Burks Pavilion) – 2390 Gainesboro Grade, Cookeville, TN 38501

Dates-January 10-11, 2024

Wednesday, January 10

8 AM                            Open for arrival

12 PM to 4 PM           Central Region check-in

4 PM                            All Central Region Hogs must be on-site

4:30 PM                      Central Region Skillathon (will be conducted at one time for all exhibitors)

6 PM                            Declared weight cards due for Central Region Show (Declared weight information)

6 PM                            Central Region Show – Showmanship (Senior 2, Senior 1, Junior High, Junior, Explorer)

Thursday, January 11

9 AM                            Central Region Show – Purebred Gilts, Purebred Market Hogs, Prospect Pigs, Crossbred Gilts, Crossbred Market Hogs

  • Purebred Gilts
  • Purebred Market Hogs (230-305)
  • Prospect Pigs (195-229)
  • Crossbred Gilts (230-335)
  • Crossbred Market Hogs (230-305)

Class Limit-Unlimited

Description

Eligibility-4th-12th

Cost-Entry fee of $20.00 per hog and covers the opportunity to show at County, Region and State.

Location: Tennessee Tech (Hyder-Burks Pavilion) – 2390 Gainesboro Grade, Cookeville, TN 38501

Dates-January 11-13, 2024 – 2024 State Show Schedule

2024 Swine Show Handbook

Class Limit-Unlimited

Educational Contests – Click on each contest title below to see the description of each contest and entry rules/requirements.

Carcass Class – Each exhibitor may participate in the Carcass class by having one of their pigs evaluated via ultrasound to determine carcass quality (muscle and leanness). To learn more about the Ultrasound Carcass Class, click on the Overview below. There will be a specific designated time for exhibitors to have their animals go through the ultrasound process.


Resources

Washing Your Pig
Showmanship Keys
Training to Walk
Clipping Pig

Doug Berny

Doug Berny

A native of South Texas, Doug grew up on a family owned and operated Dairy Farm and is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Animal Science. Doug has extensive experience in poultry, beef cattle management, communications, and coordinates the Livestock project groups and associated judging teams.


Contact Us

Contact Us-4H Doug
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Request a Meeting

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