Tnl-News.com - Raising show pigs is a family affair for Neikirks of Paris Township

By ELIZABETH PARKER

News Leader Staff Writer

For the Neikirk family of Paris, raising pigs for show has become a family affair.

Blaine Neikirk, the son of Clark and Heather Neikirk, has seen great success in his short showing career of just five to six years. In October 2009, Blaine competed at the National Junior Swine Association Eastern Regional in Harrisburg, Pa., winning the champion Hampshire Gilt title with his pig, Minnie the Moose.

Minnie the Moose came from Southeastern Ohio Genetics Ltd. in Beverly, Ohio. The owner thought she would make a good show pig for Blaine and contacted the Neikirks.

A good show pig will have a deep, long body, level and wide top, will walk on the front of its hooves, have adequate bone, and a wide chest floor.

"A pig that shows lots of product is good," explained Clark.

Blaine also shows market steers, but finds that swine have become his favorite animals to work with.

"I have always liked pigs and have gotten more and more interested," said Blaine. "I especially like the Hampshire breed."

Blaine explained that a Hampshire can be compared to an Oreo cookie in color, with a black head and rear and a white body. Hampshires are known to be a muscular and low-fat swine breed.

"I like the breed because they are challenging," explained Blaine. "They can be high strung."

This well-spoken and busy young man, who is a fifth grader at Minerva Elementary, gets up each morning before school to feed his pigs, clean pens and let them outside when the weather is nice enough. He is a member of the Louisville Livestock Leaders for his animal projects and is a member of the Little Rascal 4-H club for his non-animal project, which is "The Year of the Athlete" this year, because of his interest in sports.

"From April through October, Blaine will work with the pigs for one to three hours each day," explained Heather. "Pigs are very smart animals and they have to learn to trust you."

In the show ring, Blaine will use a whip to control his animal. The whip is not actually used to hit the pig, but to steer the pig.

"I tap the pig on the side of the neck I want it to turn," said Blaine. "I work with my pigs to get them used to me and the whip."

Blaine explained that he chooses a fence post that represents the judge in the show ring and then works with the pig as though they were in the ring with a judge.

"It's important that I stay by the hip of my pig," he said. "And that I keep the pig in between me and the judge so the judge can always have the best view of my animal."

Heather explained that the pigs to be shown at the Ohio State Fair are worked with a lot to be successful in the show ring. The pigs picked for the state fair are worked with two to three times a day for a couple of hours as the time for the fair gets closer.

"July is very busy for us," said Heather. "We are at the state fair for five days."

Blaine is also involved in judging team through 4-H. As a member of the judging team, he acts as though he is judging a show himself and then he must explain his reasons for placements of each animal, which requires him to know several animals very well. As a member of the team Blaine will judge sheep, pigs, cattle and goats.

"I have to memorize all the information needed to judge each type of animal," he explained. "I have to give my reasons in two minutes as to why I placed each class and I really have to back up my answers. I enjoy both judging and showing."

Each class will have four animals in it and the team members are given 12 minutes to judge each class. Last year at the Ohio State Fair, Blaine placed seventh out of 80 to 90 junior members who were competing, and the team he competed with placed second overall.

"His grandfather was good at judging," said Clark. "Judging has really helped Blaine learn to evaluate and pick out good animals on his own."

Heather explained that, as a family, they have really enjoyed going to different places for shows and meeting new people.

"The shows are competitive, but it is friendly competition," said Heather. "Friendships are formed and all the kids are encouraged to do their best."

Blaine works hard to keep up all his project books and sets goals for each show season. Youth in the show ring today are not only well educated about their animal, but they are also well educated in quality assurance and animal welfare.

"He had to learn how to read feed tags and the labels on medication," Clark said. "He has to know the ingredients of what he is feeding his animal and he has to know how the medication used can affect the product of the animal."

"He sets his hopes and plans for the showing season," Heather added.

Before each show, Blaine is certain he is working with a good-looking, well cared for, and happy animal.

"I have to bathe, clip, brush and walk my pig to get it warmed up before each show," said Blaine. "I am certain to feed my pig before the show too, because they are happier when they are full."

Heather has found that Blaine's experience has helped him excel in pubic speaking and demonstration. He has even received handwritten recognition from Representative John Bocceri for his accomplishments.

"I would encourage other kids to look into 4-H because it is fun," said Blaine. "Especially if they like animals."