MONROE — Green County fair swine exhibitors will be required to self-identify their pigs using the same method this year. Exhibitors will be required to tag their own pigs and do photo identification for each fair pig.
There will be no cost for the swine photo identification kits. Exhibitors will also be given two RFID ear tags for each animal. Swine photo identification kits and ear tags will be available for pickup at the Extension Green County office, 2841 6th St. starting March 30 and must be returned by April 17.
The kits cannot be mailed. Photos of each pig must be taken from one head view, clearly displaying the ear tag and notches. Photos must be attached to the identification form. The Extension office will loan ear taggers. The taggers will be sanitized before being given to another farm. 4-H leaders and agriculture instructors will be allowed to pick up ID kits for their members and will be required to sign for them. Each kit will include the photo identification forms and two ear tags.
When picking up identification kits exhibitors will be provided with instructions on procedures. All pigs, including both market gilts and market barrows, need to be self-identified. Each exhibitor can identify a maximum of five pigs. Exhibitors will be allowed to bring a maximum of four total pigs, no more than two of which can be market gilts. Pigs must weigh at least 225 pounds by the fair to exhibit and at least 235 to sell in the livestock auction. The 2020 show will be a terminal show with all pigs going directly to a terminal market after the fair.
Exhibitors will be allowed to sell either a gilt or barrow in the 2020 auction. Exhibitors don’t need to attend a mandatory auction meeting but will need to turn in two signed buyer cards to the Extension office by June 26 to be eligible to sell. The cards will be available on-line for printing after May 1. Hard copies of the buyer cards will also be available at the Extension office.
All swine exhibitors are required to be certified in the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals program. Those who aren’t, certification directions will be explained when the Swine IDs are picked up at the Extension office. Each individual swine exhibitor must submit their YQCA Certificate number online when completing entries. Copies of the certificate do not need to be submitted to the Extension office.
Swine exhibitors will also be required to complete swine health verification forms that will be distributed to exhibitors when they pick up their ID kits and must also be turned in to the Extension office by June 26 with the signed buyer cards. For more information contact Jackie McCarville, at 608-328-9440.
