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Showing swine leads John Eilertson to farrowing
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By ELISA SAND, Staff Reporter
| 08/03/2009 |
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John Eilertson started showing pigs at state shows before he was eligible to participate in 4-H. His interest has now turned the Eilertson farm into a mini farrow-to-finish operation.
Eilertson is the son of Jerry and Jane Eilertson of Wentworth. Now 10, he started showing at age 6 in the South Dakota Feeder Pig Derby at the State Fair. The age requirement is 19 or younger and has no minimum. To participate in 4-H, however, youth must be 8 years old.
Eilertson placed third that first year in the Feeder Pig Derby, he said, and continues to show top place-winners.
"I sold some this year as well," he said.
Eilertson got involved in 4-H three years ago when friends encouraged him to show pigs. Today, his 4-H involvement also includes entries in selected outfit, photography, visual arts, electronics and cooking.
"He does quite a few projects," Jerry Eilertson said.
In the livestock show, Eilertson plans to show six market barrows and gilts during Achievement Days, most of which he has handled since their birth.
Jerry Eilertson said the farrowing wasn't something he expected to get back into, but when his son became interested, he made the effort to find the equipment they needed.
Prior to his son's involvement with pigs, Jerry Eilertson's primary livestock on the farm was cattle. But he was no stranger to pigs. As a youth, he showed his share of pigs in 4-H.
The showing experience alone has taught John Eilertson quite a bit.
"I've learned you can't let them be too small or over 300 pounds at State Fair," he said, "and you have to make it so the judge can see the muscle."
Eilertson said the cleaning and grooming of the pig prior to the show helps them show better, and certain feed will help with muscle tone.
Another important part of getting ready for a show is working with the animals.
"You walk them to get them tamer," he said, "and make sure they are used to the show stick you're going to use."
The show stick is used to tap the pig so it will change direction.
"It's also good to know which direction the pig will turn the easiest," he said. Then the exhibitor can work on turning the pig the other direction.
There are some sure signs that exhibitors haven't worked with their pigs; for instance, when the pig runs wild and the exhibitor can't keep up with it.
Eilertson said it's exciting to raise piglets he's farrowed. That process has taught him about everything that's involved immediately after birth, like trimming tails (so they don't get chewed by other piglets), clipping back tusks (to prevent the piglets from biting the sow when feeding), shots and ear notching. With ear notching, Eilertson said, cuts are made on the left ear to indicate which number the pig is in a specific litter. Cuts are then made on the right ear to indicate which litter the pig belongs to.
Another thing Eilertson's family has learned is how the sow communicates with her litter. Jane Eilertson said the sow will make one grunting sound to let the piglets know when she's getting ready to lay down, and another sound when she is correcting a piglet that is doing something it shouldn't.
Later this summer, Eilertson is expecting five litters of piglets, some of which he plans to sell. This winter, he plans to farrow eight or nine sows.
During the farrow-to-finish process, Eilertson said, the hardest part is weaning the piglets from the sows when they are a month old. To accomplish that, he said, the piglets, which would be 15-20 pounds, are moved to nursery tubs. Being able to start working with the pigs as piglets is an advantage.
"They see you at birth and you're always with them," he said. "Handling helps."
Jane Eilertson, who was never involved in 4-H as a youth and was raised in a city, said she loves getting involved.
"I can't imagine not being here around the animals," she said.
John Eilertson has embraced the swine showing experience. He keeps a three-ring binder with registration papers for all of his pigs and has even created a brochure featuring previous entries.
In addition to showing swine, he enjoys putting together other entries.
"They all can teach you something to learn in life," he said.
Achievement Days in Madison begins this week. Display exhibits arrive Wednesday with livestock exhibits coming Thursday. A kickoff social benefiting the 4-H leaders takes place Thursday from 5-8 p.m.
Activities begin Friday with the dog show at 8:30 a.m.; rabbit show at 11 a.m.; livestock judging at 11:30 a.m.; dairy show at 1 p.m.; poultry show at 4:30 p.m.; and beef and baby beef show at 6 p.m.
A dress the bunny contest will be held at 3 p.m.; and a burger feed to support the 4-H Leaders Association takes place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with a watermelon feed at 5:30 p.m.
The swine show kicks off Saturday at 7:30 a.m. The cat show is at noon and the sheep show is at 2 p.m.
A horse demonstration will be held from 1-2 p.m.; FFA activities will be from 1:30-2:30 p.m.; Farm Olympics begin at 3 p.m.; and the catch a greased pig contest is at 4 p.m.
A pork barbecue to benefit the Lake County 4-H Livestock Committee is served at 4:30 p.m. and the class winner sale is at 5 p.m.
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©Madison Daily Leader 2009
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