It is that time of year again - to get ready to load the pigs up and head off to the fair. I wish it 
was a simple as that, but it is not. Usually when we head off for the fair, one thing comes to mind for me - it is hot! Humidity and heat are typically at the highest right during fair season. We need to take this into account go for ourselves, as well as the animals.
Let us start with the hogs. One of the biggest problems we have as people head to the fair is the withholding of water to their hogs so they can weigh them in lighter. Not only has water been withheld for days, but they have also added Paylean to the mix. DO NOT DO THIS. Paylean commands water to the muscle tissues, thus exasperating water to other tissues. The hog is going to become dehydrated quicker and have other problems. Paylean, however, is not the problem...you withholding water is the problem. At the very least, the hogs need to drink at regular intervals of a satisfactory amount so that their body can function properly. Remember , as it gets hotter, they require more water intake - remember that. Water also helps to keep the hog looking fresh as it is prepared for showing.
People often ask why hogs get loose stools when we use hydration tools. Usually, they only get loose if they are given too much electrolytes or if fluids have been withheld. Think about it, the same thing can happen to us if we withhold fluids and then inundate our system with electrolytes.
You also need to make sure you get plenty of fluids and keep cool just like the pigs. If you get dehydrated, you probably won’t be up to par as you get ready to show. Be sure to keep fluids to yourself as well. An animal can go days without feed, but they will die quickly without fluids. Keep yourself and the animals hydrated, and have fun at the fair.
- Adams: July 20 - 24
- Allen: July 22 - 27
- DeKalb: September 22 - 27
- Elkhart: July 18 - 26
- Huntington: July 11 - 24
- Kosciusko: July 7 - 12
- LaGrange: July 12 - 19
- Noble: July 12 - 19
- Steuben: July 18 - 24
- Wells: July 12 - 17
- Whitley: July 18 - 24
Kent Showfeeds - Product Spotlight
First Rate® Fitter’s Formula™
First Rate® Fitter’s Formula™ is a vitamin supplement that is fortified with minerals, electrolytes, and energy sources. This product is fortified with B-vitamins, vitamins A, D, and E, Pantothenic acid, potassium, dextrose, and a source of viable, naturally occurring microorganisms. In other words, it is a ‘sport’s drink’ for livestock.
Fitter’s Formula contains electrolytes that aid in the hydration process, leading to a fresher, bloomier appearance. It also has
Dextrose which increases energy and stabilizes metabolism. And, the viable, naturally occurring microorganisms activate stomach enzymes that aid in digestion and enhances appetite. All of these ingredients help to ensure the overall health of your animal.
Fitter’s Formula is available as 4 oz packets or 20 packets in a bucket. Mix 4 oz in a quart of water and give as a drink or pour on the feed. Each species is a little different on the use rate.
Cattle and Horses: 4 oz per animal per day
Swine: 1 oz per animal per day (4 oz packet will treat 4 pigs)
Sheep and Goats: 1/2 oz per animal per day (4 oz packet treats 8 animals)
Best results are achieved when you start using Fitter’s Formula a few days before traveling with your animals. This helps them get used to the flavoring and it helps their body prepare for the trailer ride and the show. While at the fair, use it daily. However, you do not need to offer it at every feeding or watering. And be sure to give them the proper dosage, as too much Fitter’s Formula could give them a loose stool.
Essential Keep’n On
Keep’n On is a show day product that preps your animal for the show ring. It contains vitamins and minerals to help with energy and stamina. Keep’n On also provides gut fill for your animal, which often makes them more satisfied and less grouchy.
Another great thing about Keep’n On is that it provides the fill of 1 gallon of water (8 lbs) with the weight of less than a pound. This comes in handy when you have weigh back issues at shows. If weighing back is not a concern, then use it as prep for the show ring and fill them up.
Keep’n On is very easy to use. Fill the bottle with water and shake very well to dissolve the contents. Then give1 bottle 2 - 3 hours before the animal's class, and then another bottle 15 - 20 minutes before going to the show ring. When using with cattle, give 2 bottles, and for sheep, use half a bottle. Use it at home a couple times before training or practicing to show.
Essential Relax Fit
Relax Fit is a great product to use to help calm hyperactive animals. I am not advocating the idea that Relax Fit can replace daily handling and training of livestock, but it can help. When fed daily, Relax Fit calms the animal and provides the trainer with a better opportunity to work with the animal. This will boost the trainer’s confidence and speed up the training process. Use Relax Fit when first training your animals. Then use it a few days before and during the fair.
Following is the use rate for Relax Fit:
Swine: 1 scoop twice daily
Cattle: 2 scoops twice daily
Sheep and Goats: 1/2 scoop twice daily
Cellarator Turbo Paste
Cellarator Turbo Paste is an oral form of electrolytes and the active ingredient in Cellarator Meal. It is designed to help your animal handle the stresses of hauling and showing. Administer 20cc in the mouth prior to anticipated stress or handling.
A quick note on Cellarator - We were feeding it to most of the pigs we have this summer. After returning home from a particular show, we had a cough go through the pigs. What is interesting is that none of the pigs being fed Cellarator got the cough. Now, all the pigs are being fed Cellarator!
Remember to call ahead for feed pick up as some items may not always be in stock: 260-410-2305
It’s About the People
It’s my turn to get on the soapbox. The topic - it’s not about the pigs, it’s about the people.
I was reminded of the this while attending the open show at Kendallville. Throughout the show, the judge told the kids showing and the spectators that the shows were not about the pigs, but about people. If you ponder this for a minute you will realize he is right. And, it doesn’t have to be just pigs, it pertains to cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, etc.
Twenty years from now, nobody will remember who won the Kendallville open show, or the county fair, or even the state fair. Ok, ok, the person that won will remember, family and close friends might remember, too. For the most part, who won is just a sidebar.
What you will remember are the fun times you had with friends - the water fight at the wash racks, playing cards on the show box, and the good times of just hangin’ out at the fair. You never know, some of you might even meet your future wife or husband in the pig barn.
So, while you are preparing your animal for the show ring, be sure to meet some people and make some friends. Be sure to have fun!
I am also reminded of something another judge said during a show several years ago. His message was geared toward the ‘helpers’ of the youth that were doing the showing. He told them that livestock projects are a vehicle to build the youth of America by teaching them responsibility, community, and sportsmanship. He went on further to say that showing livestock isn’t for adults to do the work and live their dreams through the youth. I thought that was an excellent point.
Finally, I was recently reminded that it is truly about how we play the game, and not who wins or loses. While my situation was with a softball umpire, in the livestock show industry it might be a judge or show manager.
I have never sat through a ball game and agreed with every call an umpire has made, and I can guarantee you I have never agreed with a judge on every placing of a hog show. Opinions differ, it happens.
The show industry is such that we put the outcome of all the hard work we do as a family in the hands of one individual, the one person that has the power to place the animals and name the champions - very similar to what an umpire has to do.
Here’s my point...its the judge’s call that day and nothing is going to change that. It serves no purpose to get mad, or bad mouth the judge, or starting rumors - nothing will change the outcome of the show.
My advice...take it in stride. Remember it is an opinion. Always do your best, whether you are a helper, a coach, a parent, or an aunt or uncle. Be a good example to the youth in the project, as they will be the judges and show managers of the shows in the days ahead.
You know what - the umpire didn’t change his call, and a judge doesn’t go back and change a placing. When the game, or the show is over, congratulate the winners, encourage those that 
didn’t win, and thank the ones that helped make the show possible. And remember, ‘It’s not about the pigs, it’s about the people.
Good luck to all and have a great fair season! -SJM
Congratulations Micah and ‘Dude’!
Thank you for the nice comments and congratulations on our York barrow that we showed this spring. Back in April, Micah picked this guy out and named him ‘Dude.’
‘Dude’ was a great pig to feed and show, and we had a wonderful experience at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. He was named Reserve Champion Yorkshire Barrow at the Junior National Barrow Show.
On the Indiana jackpot circuit, ‘Dude’ was Reserve York Barrow once, Champion York Barrow 3 times, Reserve Grand Barrow once, and he was named 3rd Overall twice.
We are extremely honored to have raised a barrow like ‘Dude’ and we thank God for the blessing of doing so!
2008 World Pork Expo Junior National Barrow Show
Reserve Champion Yorkshire Barrow
(LFC6 GRUS One Ton 61-3 X HUBL4 PSSS Ditka 9-1)
AKA: ‘Dude’
