Austin Hartman I Virtual Fair

With so many local fairs being canceled this year we thought it would be good to feature the projects local FFA and 4-H members have been working so hard on all year.

Austin Hartman- “I am with the Ashland FFA, this year will be my freshman year. I previously was with the Engelwood 4H for the lasted 5 years. This year I had two show swine for the Boone County livestock show which was held last week in Centralia. My barrow hog was named Boss Hog and weighed in at 245 and my gilt’s name was Ruby Red and weighed in at 238 last week. Boss hog was a crossbreed hog and Ruby Red was a Purebred Duroc. I purchased both hogs in April of this year and worked hard to get them to the weight they were at. Hogs have to weigh 230 at weigh-in at the fair to be eligible to be sold at the fair’s livestock auction. Hogs have to have continuous fresh cold water and love to eat! Mine ate a corn/ soybean mix from MFA. We also learned this year, pigs love powered donuts and bread, so watch out eating around your pigs! Walking your pigs daily is a must, so they are easier to walk in the show ring, and even then they may take off running. Pigs love baths.. Shampoo may not be their favorite but the cold water and the rubdowns are! Pigs can be very stubborn and have a personality all of their own, Boss hog was sweet and Ruby Red was more dramatic. My gilt Ruby Red is now going to a new farm to be a breeding hog and become a momma! I would like to send out a huge Thank you to the Southern Boone Community group for the purchase of Boss Hog at the livestock Auction! Your support and purchase is so appreciated and will help me purchase my fair animal’s next year. I plan on showing a steer and a hog next year. My little sister will show next year for the very first year and I can’t wait to teach her a few things that I have learned over the years!”

See more from our Clear 99 Virtual Fair!