Published: July 16, 2008 10:13 am         

Fountain County shows off fine swine

VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — In the swine barn at the Fountain County (Ind.) Fair Tuesday afternoon, some kids were relaxing in the shade while awaiting their next class.

Others were hosing down their animals to keep them cool in the heat. Occasionally young handlers came storming down the aisles, trying to rein in their grunting, uncooperative animals.

As the kids were heading into the ring with their pigs — the biggest ones weighing close to 300 pounds — they sometimes received a final word of support and a pat on the back from their parents.

Come fair time, the pig show is a favorite with the kids as well as the crowd.

Aubrey Rennick of Covington, Ind., was busy showing some friends the ribbons she had won so far, including the first place she clinched for one of her crossbred barrows.

She seemed pleased with her accomplishment, especially considering she was a first-time contender in the swine show.

“I made sure I got out there and did the best I could,” Aubrey said.

She had been at the fairgrounds since 7 a.m., washing her four pigs and getting them and her equipment ready for the show.

Once in the show ring, “I was basically trying to keep at the far end, so the judge would get a better view of the pig,” she explained her strategy.

A four-year veteran of the pig show, Linley Smith of rural Veedersburg, Ind., also had success with her two gilts and two barrows.

“My cousin got me into it (pig shows), and I stayed with it. I like working with animals,” she said.

Aside from pigs, Linley trains dogs and will participate in the Thursday agility show, a new addition to the fair. Surprising as it may be, Linley said pigs often catch on faster to the training than dogs.

“I don’t know if pigs are smarter, but they’re definitely easier to train.”

Linley plans to show three of her most successful pigs at the Indiana State Fair, which she described as the highlight of the show season.

“It’s our last show, but it’s a lot of fun.”

Participation in the livestock classes was down slightly compared with previous years.

“I can imagine it’s got something to do with four-dollar gas and seven-dollar corn,” said Amanda Smith, extension educator with the Fountain County Extension Service.

“But most kids had already bought their animals this year. I can imagine we will see more of an impact (of higher prices) next year.”

Still, the swine show is usually one of the most popular events at the fair and this one was no exception, Smith said.

“It’s probably our biggest day in terms of livestock shows. It seems like no matter which fair you go to, most kids are involved with (the swine show),” she said.

“Swine make a good project. They’re easy to care for and easy to get ready for the show.”

Even though participation was down in the livestock classes, overall attendance is holding steady.

“On Sunday, we sold 600-700 pork burgers, and we had 800 people in here for the fish fry Saturday night. Fountain County is probably a thousand pounds heavier thanks to that,” Smith joked.