< PreviousTw grea gilt ... Donate b tw grea firm . The Olsons, from Elkhart, Illinois, enjoy raising and showing purebred Durocs as a family. Blane has been dedicated to the swine industry his whole life and became a member of the NJSA as soon as it was formed. His wife, Kristi, also grew up passionate about the purebred livestock industry, raising and showing Hereford cattle competitively all over the country with the National Junior Hereford Association. They have now passed on their passion for the livestock industry to their four children. Some of their favorite memories involve the show ring, including their son Braden driving a Duroc they raised in the Grand Drive at the 2017 NJSS in Louisville, Kentucky. Their advice to the younger generation of showmen is to work hard and believe in yourself because if you don’t, no one else will. Their accomplishments in the ring include the National Premier Sire in 2010 with Buck Cherry and in 2018 with Stand Tall, Grand Gilt 2011 NJSS, Reserve Grand Gilt 2013 World Pork Expo, judging shows throughout the country and raising a family in the industry they love. The Olsons will be do- nating a Duroc gilt as one of the Foundation Females in 2019. Thank you to Olson Farms for supporting the NJSA. JUNE 2019 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE 80FOundation FemaleS 2019 NJSA The Knauths, from Milford, Illinois, live and breathe the showpig in- dustry. Kyle and Ellen were both raised showing pigs at the local, state and national level. Their families have been involved and raised pigs their whole lives. They now run a 60 sow showpig operation consisting of primarily Landrace, Berkshires and crossbreds. Grow- ing up, Kyle and Ellen were both active in NJSA, showing at WPX, NJSS and regional events. They also attended multiple NJSA leader- ship conferences. They have continued this passion for the NJSA by helping other exhibitors with their projects and Ellen working for the National Swine Registry. They like to tell NJSA members to dream big, and live your dreams. They are both proof that if you work hard and are passionate about what you do, you can do anything! Some of their major accomplishments in the swine industry include, 2018 WPX Champion Landrace Gilt, 2018 NJSS Champion Landrace Gilt, 2018 NAILE Grand Champion Barrow, 2019 Champion Landrace Gilt at Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston. The Knauths will be donating a Landrace gilt as one of the Foundation Females this year. Thank you to Knauth Showpigs for your dedication and support of the NJSA. 81 JUNE 2019 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE*RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR UP-TO-DATE RULES & REMINDERS VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT NATIONALSWINE.COM **WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY ON FRIDAY, JULY 5. SWEEPSTAKES CONTEST Registration: Tuesday, July 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Sweepstakes Contest is an “all-around” competition designed to recognize the most outstanding NJSA exhibitors through their participation in multiple events. Sweepstakes contestants must declare their intent to compete in the Sweepstakes Contest at registration. Sweepstakes contestants must compete in all four contests at the National Junior Summer Spectacular (NJSS). Points will be contributed from the highest-placing purebred gilt or barrow, Showmanship Contest, Judging Contest and Skillathon Contest toward the Sweepstakes awards. There will be no extra points awarded to those individuals who compete in the additional contests. See the NJSA Handbook for the full Sweepstakes point breakdown. SHOWMANSHIP CONTEST Registration: Tuesday, July 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Showmanship: Wednesday, July 3, 9 a.m. Join us for the best Showmanship Contest in the country. Showmanship orders will be posted Tuesday night. Showmanship will begin Wednesday, July 3, at 9 a.m. Ring A will host juniors followed by seniors, and Ring B will host novice followed by intermediates. All contestants must be members of the NJSA. Divisions will be randomly broken into classes according to entries, with no more than 20 exhibitors per class. Any animal that does not meet breed eligibility requirements may not be used for Showmanship. Any animal shown in Showmanship must be entered in the junior show. SKILLATHON CONTEST Registration: Tuesday, July 2, 2-5 p.m. The Skillathon Contest is a fun, educational contest where participants rotate through four stations within each age division and are asked to perform tasks or answer questions on specific swine industry topics. No parents or spectators are allowed in the Skillathon rooms. However, from 5:30-6 p.m., all participants and parents are invited to go back through the stations to review the questions and correct answers. The following are examples of topics that could be used in the Skillathon: ear notching, swine breeds, swine health, YQCA certification, meat cut identification, swine anatomy (external, internal and skeletal), reproductive physiology, swine diseases and pedigree information. their own separate contest at 11:30 a.m., on Friday, July 5. They will judge two classes and answer questions on one class. Bonus questions may be asked to break ties. A teaching class will precede the novice contest, and officials will be given immediately after their cards are turned in. SWINE IS FINE ART CONTEST: PHOTOGRAPHY DIVISION Due: Tuesday, July 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. This contest encourages NJSA members to use art to communicate about the industry. Entries will be judged based upon their creativity, composition and technical skills such as lighting, color and focus. For a list of complete rules and regulations, please visit the NJSA Handbook. National Junior Summer Spectacular NATIONAL JUNIOR SUMMER SPECTACULAR NJSS NJSS Contest Information SWINE IS FINE ART CONTEST DRAWING, PAINTING AND MIXED MEDIA DIVISION Due: Tuesday, July 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. This contest encourages NJSA members to use art to communicate about the industry. Entries will be judged based upon their creativity, composition and technical skills such as shading, color and proportion. For a list of complete rules and regulations, please visit the NJSA Handbook. Entries should be turned in at the time of registration. AMAZING ADVERTISING CONTEST Due: Tuesday, July 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. This contest encourages NJSA members to improve their communication and selling skills by designing an advertisement for the NJSA. Entries will be based upon how effectively contestants “sell” the idea of NJSA membership by using images, text and design elements. For a list of complete rules and regulations, please visit the NJSA Handbook. Entries should be turned in at the time of registration. EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH CONTEST Registration: Tuesday, July 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Contestant Meeting: Tuesday, July 2, 3 p.m. Contest Begins: Tuesday, July 2, 3:30 p.m. Contestants must sign up for their time slot during registration. PREPARED SPEECH CONTEST Registration: Tuesday, July 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Contestant Meeting: Tuesday, July 2, 3 p.m. Contest Begins: Tuesday, July 2, 3:30 p.m. Four copies of your speech are due at registration. Contestants must sign up for their time slot during registration. SWINE JUDGING CONTEST Registration: Friday, July 5, 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Junior, Intermediate, Senior Contest: 9 a.m. Novice Contest: 11:30 a.m. Test your ability to evaluate breeding gilts and market hogs in the Judging Contest. All contestants must be members of the NJSA. Teams must have three to four contestants from the same age division. The top three scores will comprise the team score. Parents are not allowed near the judging rings during the contest. Assistants will be available to novice or first-time judges who may not understand how to mark their cards. Junior exhibitors will judge six classes and answer two sets of questions. Intermediate exhibitors will judge six classes, give one set of oral reasons and answer two sets of questions. Senior exhibitors will judge six classes and give three sets of oral reasons. Novice will have JUNE 2019 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE 8283 JUNE 2019 | SEEDSTOCK EDGEFrom the We ask questions and give you the answers from your NJSA show judges. Samantha Winter, Okla. Novice & Intermediate Showmanship Judge What is your background and current involvement in the swine industry? I grew up on a row crop and showpig operation in Southwest Iowa with my two sisters. With no boys to get in our way, we learned right alongside our dad that the harder you work the luckier you get. This sparked the pas- sion for pigs inside me. After high school, I went to Black Hawk East and Western Illinois University to pursue a degree in animal science and a collegiate judging career. While judging at the National Barrow Show, I met my now husband, Tanner, who luckily liked pigs, too. We now reside in El Reno, Oklahoma, where we own and operate Winter Livestock & Feed. We have four children –Teagan, 7, Tabor, 4, Tandy, 2 and Tyson, 2. We also have 50 sows, and are a distributor of Sunglo Feeds. I’m the Livestock Trailer Business Manager for Exiss & Sooner trailers. It’s true, if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life. What are you looking for in your champion showman? The three P’s of showmanship: Presentation, Position and Pace. What do you enjoy most about being involved in the NJSA? Watching these young people develop and grow as good human beings while showing pigs is great! What is one important trait young individuals can gain from showing? Perseverance. The ability to problem solve and stay focused on the ultimate goal in the middle of adversity. What do you enjoy most about being involved in the swine industry? As a breeder, I love the challenge of the continually moving goal posts and using unique ways to reach them. As a mother, I love that my children will always have a place to belong. As a feed distributor, I love educating and sharing knowledge with our custom- ers. As a trailer marketer, I love watching my trailers function easily for the user. How does it feel to be judging Showmanship at the same show as your sister? It’s such a great opportunity. Shari and I are best friends and have been through thick and thin togeth- er, so it only seems fitting that we judge our first big show together as well! Shari Bakker, Iowa Junior & Senior Showmanship Judge What is your background and current involvement in the swine industry? I grew up on a row crop and showpig operation in Southwest Iowa. I attend- ed Iowa State University, where I majored in agri- cultural communications and was on the livestock judging team. I found my passion in agricultural education and working hands on with farmers daily and am now the Director at the Iowa State Univer- sity Extension Office in Grundy Center. My husband, Jarrod, and I have three kids–Caeden, 9, Cooper, 7, and Olivia, 5. We recently built a 2,400 head wean- to-finish building and farm alongside, Jarrod’s family, in Dike, Iowa. Jarrod and I, along with my brother-in- law, Jordan, own and operate Bakker Bros. Genetics where we have about 60 showpig sows. The swine industry has always been a passion and focus of mine and is a huge part of our livelihoods. JUNE 2019 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE 84What are you looking for in your champion showman? When I work with my kids on showmanship at home, we focus on being in tune with your pig, anticipat- ing turns and making sure that your pace is uninter- rupted and looks effortless. Showmanship for me isn’t about being flashy or responding to tricks in the ring, it’s about making your hog look it’s best while presenting yourself with confidence and ring aware- ness. What do you enjoy most about being involved in the NJSA? A child’s ability to meet a new kid and five minutes later be best friends is truly amazing. I love watching kids pick up a football, borrow scooters or play cards together and act like they’ve known each other for years. As adults, we could learn a lot from our kids about chasing dreams and working together to reach our goals. What do you enjoy most about being involved in the swine industry? One of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the swine industry, whether it be showpigs or contract facilities, is having the patience to get where you need to be. Great breeders, feeders and lead- ers did not accomplish their goals in one day or even one year. It may take you generations to grow your breeding program to where it needs to be, and it may require you to make hard decisions, but if you stick with your priorities and keep your goals in sight, the payoffs can be tremendous. How does it feel to be judging Showmanship at the same show as your sister? The World Pork Expo has always been special to our family and to have the opportunity to judge such a large national show, such as The Exposition, with my sister, who is also my best friend, is too big for words. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and look forward to all of the talent I know is headed our way! Justin Rodibaugh, Ind. NJSA Jr. Purebred Barrow Show Judge What do you and your family do for fun? When we aren’t in the hog barn or traveling to a show we just enjoy spending time together. Whether that is at baseball games or camping with our friends at a hog show. Those two things con- sume quite a bit of our time as a family. My wife and I are blessed to have four kids. They are a joy to be around, our schedules are busy and we are thankful for that. What are you looking for in your champion barrow? Within a class, balance and build are the two words I use the most. Once we get them built right and that barrow can balance, we will want to put all the extras on. Obviously, anytime you are talking about going to Expo, or The Exposition, this year, you have to have some unique things, in order to be a champion. So, balance and build along with squareness of skel- eton and then we will pack on as many extras as we can. We can’t sacrifice balance and build. We can’t sacrifice squareness. The barrow that I’ll be looking for is one that you don’t see everyday. He needs to have some unique things to be the champion at a show of that caliber. What do you enjoy most about being involved in the NJSA? It provides a network of people, for our youth, to be involved with. There are so many people out there that these young kids can meet and become friends with. I like the fact that the NJSA brings together all of those kids, whether it’s three days at a regional show or it’s seven days at The Exposition or Sum- mer Type Conference. It gives them the opportunity to meet kids from all over the country that have the same interest. Anytime you can get that positive enthusiasm together, I think it is great. It is a great organization, for not only showing livestock, but to also be diverse in building your knowledge, through skillathon, how you show and present your animal in Showmanship, or a judging contest where you can place and describe animals publicly. The whole pro- gram builds life lessons. Todd Beyers, Texas Jr. Crossbred Gilt Show #1 Judge What do you and your family do for fun? We enjoy attending livestock shows, spend- ing time with family and friends, going to Texas Tech Men’s Basketball games and attending church and Small Group on Wednesday nights. What is your background and current involvement in the swine industry? I grew up in Central Illinois on a family farm where we raised commercial swine and cattle and farmed corn and soybeans. We always showed at our county show and a fair that was close to home, but it wasn’t until junior high that I became a member of the NJSA and we started showing competitively on the Illinois Club Pig Association Circuit, county fair circuit, state fair and the National Junior Summer Spectacular. I went 85 JUNE 2019 | SEEDSTOCK EDGEolder brother, Brett, purchased a couple of red sows from Somerset Farm, Indiana, when he moved back to Illinois and that started our Duroc operation, Bey- ers Farms, in Sibley. We now run approximately 35 Duroc sows in Illinois together. My wife, Moriah, and I started our operation, in Texas, after we completed graduate school. We now run about 30 head of Chester, Berkshire and crossbred sows in Abernathy, Texas, with our three children. What are you looking for in your champion gilt? Balance and build will get you a long way with me. I like for my gilts to be built as good as we can make them, while being as proportional in their pieces as possible. Once they are functional, then we will ask them for the extras to make them elite. What is the best hog you’ve ever seen? A couple come to mind. One would be the Berkshire gilt the Rash family drove that won World Pork Expo and then won Springfield the year Brett and I judged the Team Purebred Junior National. Another would be Prenup, the boar we sold as a weanling to Purple Power Boar Stud at the Fall Classic quite a few years ago. He was, without question, my favorite weanling pig I have ever been around. What is your favorite aspect about judging a show? The anticipation of that first class hitting the ring. The emotions and adrenaline that take over never fade. Brett Beyers, Ill. Jr. Crossbred Gilt Show #2 Judge What is your background and current involvement in this swine industry? I grew up on a grain, hog and cattle farm, in South Central Illinois. My dad ran about 60 sows. I had several internships on both purebred and commercial farms. After I graduated from Western Illinois University, I worked on a commercial farm, United Feeds, in Sheridan, In- diana. I then worked on another Indiana commercial and seedstock farm, until we moved back to Illinois. I worked for my father-in-law until three and a half years ago when I took a job at Early Bird Nutrition selling hog feed. I have raised hogs for myself at Bey- ers Farms since 2002. What are you looking for in your champion gilt? It starts at the ground in terms of being built right. I like balanced gilts that are attractive and good on their feet and legs, then stack all the extras to make them elite. What advice do you have for young people in the livestock industry? My advice to young people in the livestock industry would be to work hard. I did not grow up in this in- dustry, but feel that if you work hard, are honest with people and have integrity, then there is a place for you in this industry and there always will be. What is one important trait young individuals can gain from showing? Work ethic. The ability to know how to work hard and to go out into the working world when they are done with their junior careers and excel. What do you enjoy most about being involved in the swine industry? The challenge of it. The challenge of putting genetics together, studying genetics, trying to make the kind of hogs that you want to make and molding those genetics into what you want them to be. Russell Pedrett, Calif. Jr. Crossbred Barrow Show Judge What is your favorite show to attend? I really enjoy the NJSA events – World Pork Expo or The Exposition, this year, and Western Regional. I love that they have a laid-back envi- ronment and are set up to encourage kids and families to get to know one another. We always have a great time at these events. What is your background and current involvement in the swine industry? I am from Minden, Nevada. Growing up, I loved attending the NSR events. My dad and I traveled to the World Pork Expo, National Barrow Show and Southwest Type Conference many times while I was in high school. By the time I graduated we had 40 sows. Upon graduation, I attended Modesto Junior College and managed the MJC Swine Unit for Mr. John Mendes. From there, I moved to Nebraska and worked full time at RW Genetics while attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and competed on the livestock judging team. I have been the Herd Manag- er of Ottenwalter Show Pigs in Colusa, California, for 11 years. We have 350 sows and market about 2,000 showpigs annually across the United States. What are you looking for in your champion barrow? Correctness of build is what we strive to produce on a daily basis at Ottenwalter Show Pigs – when I’m judging a show it is no different. Squareness, sound- JUNE 2019 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE 86What are you looking for in your champion barrow? Correctness of build is what we strive to produce on a daily basis at Ottenwalter Show Pigs – when I’m judging a show it is no different. Squareness, sound- ness, balance and proportions will always be my fo- cus. Once we can check all those boxes, bring on all the extras – bone, power and muscularity in a fresh, well presented package. What advice do you have for young people in the livestock industry? Listen and learn! The more you can do of both, the better off you’ll be– not only in this industry but life, as well. You can always learn something from anyone. What do you enjoy most about being involved in the NJSA? I enjoy the people the most. Whether it’s our friends, customers, or just people we meet at the show, I enjoy the camaraderie and the memories we make as we travel to NJSA events. What is your favorite aspect about judging a show? I thoroughly enjoy when I get a chance to judge and I am very much looking forward to the Crossbred Barrow Show at The Exposition. The quality of the showmen, quality of the stock and prestige of the event make it extra exciting in my eyes. Kevin Wendt, Ohio Jr. Purebred Gilt Show Judge What advice do you have for young people in the livestock industry? I would encour- age them to exercise some patience. It is very easy to get caught up in fads and whatever the quick thing is. Obviously, if you could buy the champion boar and champion gilt at every NSR event and mate the two together and create a champion then it would be simple, but it is not that easy. I would encourage them to exercise patience in everything that they do. What is one important trait young individuals can gain from showing? The most important trait young people learn show- ing is learning how to lose. You are going to lose far more than you are going to win in your life. I think if they learn from those lessons they will prepare you as you get into college, become a business owner, or work for an organization. It is not always going to go your way every time, but what you can learn from those lessons in losing can ultimately help you win in the end. It makes the wins and the champions that much sweeter when you get through the adversity you might have to tackle when you lose. What do you enjoy the most about being involved in the swine industry? The people. The people in the swine industry is what really sets it apart. It is great to have something you can do as a family. But, also have your extended family that you see at the shows, pen with or par- ticipate in judging contest with. As an adult, I know I have friends, in the industry, that I can pick up the phone and talk to about any issue. The people in the industry will always be willing to help each other and that is the most valuable asset of being connected to those special people. What is your favorite aspect about judging a show? I equate it to sports. To me it is like being the starting goal tender on an ice hockey team or being the start- ing pitcher in the World Series. All eyes are on you and the decisions that you make are evaluated by others. At the end of it all, there is only one winner. It is obviously a very high honor when you are selected to judge, not just at a national event like the World Pork Expo or The Exposition, but even when you’re asked to do an 80 head county fair, because that is the most important day for those families showing. I take it very seriously anytime I step into the ring. I am honored and humbled to be able to participate in the livestock industry by judging. Is there anything else you would like to add? When you start each season with your projects I encourage you to identify what winning looks like. We do something with our family where we write down what winning looks like for that summer or that show season. Usually after the show we reflect back on it and ask ourselves, “what did we learn, what was out of our control, what could my son or daughter do better or work on, and what do we need to do in the future to be better prepared or to just have more fun.” We establish what winning looks like. It is not always about who gets the banner or all of the acco- lades, sometimes winning looks like, “Hey, I trained that pig. That pig was hard to train in April but by August I got it done and I got it shown to the best position that I could.” Identify what winning looks like, have some goals, have some reflection on it and then be able to look forward in a positive manner. 87 JUNE 2019 | SEEDSTOCK EDGESUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE ANY CLOSER AND YOU WOULD BE ringside! EE JUNE 2019 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE 88SUBSCRIBESUBSCRIBEI SUBSCRIBSUBSCRIBDON’T MISS ONE ISSUE! Seedstock EDGE is the premier publication of the purebred swine industry. $25 One Year (U.S.) $60 One Year First Class (U.S.) New subscription Renewal Please allow 8-10 weeks for the first issue. Subscribe or renew online at NATIONALSWINE.COM! EXP. DATE3-DIGIT SECURITY CODE (back of card) PAYMENT INFORMATION All fields in red are required to process credit cards NAME ON CARD Return with payment to: NATIONAL SWINE REGISTRY 2639 Yeager Road West Lafayette, IN 47906 CARD # Check one TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $ SUBSCRIBER NAME/FARM ADDRESS CITYSTATEZIP PHONE #EMAIL $60 Three Years (U.S.) $150 One Year (Foreign & Canada) CHECK CREDIT CARD 89 JUNE 2019 | SEEDSTOCK EDGENext >