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This is the week
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 2011-01-31 9:42 AM |
Pro  4824    Houston |  Subject: This is the weekMy son has been raising a pig through FFA for our local lifestock show since October. This is show week! This is only our second year in FFA and we had no idea what we were getting into. These kids work HARD! Being a parent requires quite a bit of dedication as well making sure your kid gets to the barn to feed the animal twice a day. Last year my sons pig got 4th in her weight class, top 5 go to auction, the other 15 straight to freezer sale. We paid for 1/2 the pig last year and all the feed. Olivia was bought by a local company for $1800 and donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Houston, Brendan got a check for $1650. Before the pig was on the truck he wanted to know how much he owed us for our 1/2 of the pig and all the feed. He paid us the day his check came in the mail. This year he has paid for everything himself which I think has been a great life lesson. I have to say sitting in the stands last year while he was showing waiting for the judge to choose his pig was the most nerve-racking experience. My son is very excited about show this year. He sent a letter and picture of him with his pig to a few local companies hoping for a buyer and/or donations in hopes to get some of his investment back, whatever he makes goes into the college fund. He is hopeful, we are anxious! This is Brendan & Beau, just yesterday he weighed in at 257. Edited by KeriKadi 2011-01-31 9:56 AM (BrendanBeausm.JPG) Attachments ---------------- BrendanBeausm.JPG (88KB - 10 downloads) |
| 2011-01-31 9:44 AM in reply to: #3330610 |
Champion 14571  the alamo city, Texas | Subject: RE: This is the week you are such a great momma. |
| 2011-01-31 9:44 AM in reply to: #3330610 |
Champion 34263 Chicago | Subject: RE: This is the week So ... when do I get some bacon? |
| 2011-01-31 9:44 AM in reply to: #3330610 |
Melon Presser 52116 | Subject: RE: This is the week to quote 'charlotte's web' .... that is SOME PIG!!!  And your boy is clearly 'some piglet' who takes after someone else I know ... congratulations and good luck |
| 2011-01-31 9:55 AM in reply to: #3330610 |
| Master 2009 Charlotte, NC | Subject: RE: This is the week That is so cool Keri!! Good luck to the both of them!!! |
| 2011-01-31 10:02 AM in reply to: #3330620 |
Pro 4824 Houston | Subject: RE: This is the week mr2tony - 2011-01-31 9:44 AM So ... when do I get some bacon? Buy Beau and you'll be up to your eyeballs in bacon and help a great kid pay for college, what are you waiting for, come on down!  |
| 2011-01-31 10:36 AM in reply to: #3330670 |
Champion 8540 the colony texas | Subject: RE: This is the week this is so cool... from time to time I wondered if this program was still going on. I can remember quite a few friends when I was in school doing this. great job |
| 2011-01-31 11:19 AM in reply to: #3330610 |
Expert 1070 Denver Area | Subject: RE: This is the week THAT is some good lookin' pork, Mama! Great job mommin' Keri! I look forward to those sorts of projects in the years to come. |
| 2011-01-31 11:31 AM in reply to: #3330610 |
| Iron Donkey 38643 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: This is the week KeriKadi - 2011-01-31 9:42 AM My son has been raising a pig through FFA for our local lifestock show since October. This is show week! This is only our second year in FFA and we had no idea what we were getting into. These kids work HARD! Being a parent requires quite a bit of dedication as well making sure your kid gets to the barn to feed the animal twice a day. Last year my sons pig got 4th in her weight class, top 5 go to auction, the other 15 straight to freezer sale. We paid for 1/2 the pig last year and all the feed. Olivia was bought by a local company for $1800 and donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Houston, Brendan got a check for $1650. Before the pig was on the truck he wanted to know how much he owed us for our 1/2 of the pig and all the feed. He paid us the day his check came in the mail. This year he has paid for everything himself which I think has been a great life lesson. I have to say sitting in the stands last year while he was showing waiting for the judge to choose his pig was the most nerve-racking experience. My son is very excited about show this year. He sent a letter and picture of him with his pig to a few local companies hoping for a buyer and/or donations in hopes to get some of his investment back, whatever he makes goes into the college fund. He is hopeful, we are anxious! This is Brendan & Beau, just yesterday he weighed in at 257. Your son doesn't look like he weighs that much. I tease!  |
| 2011-01-31 11:35 AM in reply to: #3330610 |
Champion 6786 Two seat rocket plane | Subject: RE: This is the week If I remember my 4-H figures correctly 257# is pretty good weight too. What's he feed the pig? |
| 2011-01-31 11:53 AM in reply to: #3330610 |
Master 1795 Boynton Beach, FL | Subject: RE: This is the week Great story. A shame we only hear about our FFA programs once a year when the fair comes to town and they are judging the animals. Good luck to your boy who seems to be learing a great deal from the experience. |
| 2011-01-31 12:05 PM in reply to: #3330610 |
Elite 3770 | Subject: RE: This is the week I was in 4-H as a suburb girl doing the Horse and Pony Project, and absolutely loved every minute of the experience. I was sad I couldn't do the chicks project or find a pig/goat/cow someone would allow me to use, but at least I got to meet some kids that did. I really think 4-H and FFA are tremendous programs that get overlooked. Good luck to your son! |
| 2011-01-31 2:07 PM in reply to: #3330922 |
Pro 4824 Houston | Subject: RE: This is the week ride_like_u_stole_it - 2011-01-31 11:35 AM If I remember my 4-H figures correctly 257# is pretty good weight too. What's he feed the pig? He's got last years pig by 20 pounds already! We feed him pig chow basically. We used Showmaster Starter feed for one bag then moved to Showmaster Grower until the last 3 weeks or so and then moved to Showmaster Finisher and added in some oats to fill him out. The first few days we go through a box of Nilla wafers to help with bonding and a few more on show day to keep him happy. We also increase electrolytes the last week before show to make sure he is hydrated (Gatorade). Moving a pig can really stress them out so you need to make sure they keep drinking and don't get overheated. |
| 2011-01-31 2:23 PM in reply to: #3331321 |
Champion 6786 Two seat rocket plane | Subject: RE: This is the week KeriKadi - 2011-01-31 2:07 PM ride_like_u_stole_it - 2011-01-31 11:35 AM If I remember my 4-H figures correctly 257# is pretty good weight too. What's he feed the pig? He's got last years pig by 20 pounds already! We feed him pig chow basically. We used Showmaster Starter feed for one bag then moved to Showmaster Grower until the last 3 weeks or so and then moved to Showmaster Finisher and added in some oats to fill him out. The first few days we go through a box of Nilla wafers to help with bonding and a few more on show day to keep him happy. We also increase electrolytes the last week before show to make sure he is hydrated (Gatorade). Moving a pig can really stress them out so you need to make sure they keep drinking and don't get overheated. I never raised a pig, but did steers for a few years. My grandfather had a "secret" mixture of cracked corn, barley, molasses, some Youngs brand mineral mixture, and a little salt that routinely had us pushing 1300# at < 1 year. |
| 2011-01-31 2:35 PM in reply to: #3331357 |
Pro 4824 Houston | Subject: RE: This is the week ride_like_u_stole_it - 2011-01-31 2:23 PM KeriKadi - 2011-01-31 2:07 PM ride_like_u_stole_it - 2011-01-31 11:35 AM If I remember my 4-H figures correctly 257# is pretty good weight too. What's he feed the pig? He's got last years pig by 20 pounds already! We feed him pig chow basically. We used Showmaster Starter feed for one bag then moved to Showmaster Grower until the last 3 weeks or so and then moved to Showmaster Finisher and added in some oats to fill him out. The first few days we go through a box of Nilla wafers to help with bonding and a few more on show day to keep him happy. We also increase electrolytes the last week before show to make sure he is hydrated (Gatorade). Moving a pig can really stress them out so you need to make sure they keep drinking and don't get overheated. I never raised a pig, but did steers for a few years. My grandfather had a "secret" mixture of cracked corn, barley, molasses, some Youngs brand mineral mixture, and a little salt that routinely had us pushing 1300# at < 1 year. Brendan was invited to a calf scramble = free cow. I told him if he could pay to feed it he could participate, he passed. He is considering a lamb next year as well as a pig and allowing his little sisters to have a hand in raising the lamb. |
| 2011-01-31 2:44 PM in reply to: #3330610 |
Champion 6786 Two seat rocket plane | Subject: RE: This is the week Yeah, if we didn't grow the corn and barley (not to mention the hay) I'd have been raising pigeons or something. |
| 2011-01-31 3:07 PM in reply to: #3331401 |
Pro 4824 Houston | Subject: RE: This is the week Chickens are the cheapest, you can get a dozen for $25 and their feed is cheap. The bad news is chickens die off pretty easy. You have to bring at least 5 to show. The standing rule is the chicken has to be living when you check it in but you can (and kids have) show a dead chicken. They aren't what you would consider durable animals. This show includes heifers, steer, swine, lamb, goats, rabbits, turkeys and broilers (chickens). Grand Champion swine got $29K last year, Reserve hit the high teens 18-19K, the highest at auction was 2K, freezer sale is $450. |
| 2011-01-31 4:20 PM in reply to: #3330610 |
| Regular 79 | Subject: RE: This is the week I was big into FFA while in junior and senior high. It is an excellent program, one in which taught me a lot about responsibility, public speaking, running a business and welding. His experience will go far beyond the pig or the lamb he raises as I am no longer in the agriculture field BUT I still use the lessons taught. |
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