< PreviousGeorgia FFA Barn Rebuilds After FireBy Hog SlatPerry, GA — Almost 7 months after the Perry FFA suffered a devastating loss after their pig barn burnt down, the FFA barn and students are up and running again. The overnight fi re killed 55 pigs the FFA students were raising, and resulted in a complete loss of the building structure. “While the students were devastated by the loss, the support and energy in the FFA program has been outpouring” said Ashley Denton, Perry Ag Instructor. The new 40’x154’ barn, approximately 800 square feet larger than the previous barn, hosts 65 individual pens. “We expect that all pens will be full with pigs again by this fall” said Denton. All students utilize this teaching farm through hands on Animal Science and Animal Production courses, where class is often held at the barn. The Perry FFA is made up of over 330 middle school and high school students combined. “It provides students opportunities to have a hands-on experience and show livestock that may not have had opportunities to otherwise.” said Denton. “Our kids do a great job taking care of the animals and facilities; they really take pride in what they do. We are excited about the new barn providing a more controlled environment and the ability to continue this program for the students” said Denton. Ag Instructor, Ashley Denton and her students in the new pig barn.Two 36” AirStorm fi berglass fans and two 36” Windstorm galvanized box fans pull air through the building.Windstorm 18” stir fans mounted above each pen furnish additional cooling for the pigs. SEPTEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE2018 Sept SE Form.indd 208/23/2018 8:44:37 PMAquaChief cup waterers provide plenty of clean water in each pen and reduce spillage to keep the bedding drier.A medicated watering system is used throughout the barn.Daily responsibilities, announcements, and assignments are communicated to students on a large whiteboard located inside the barn.Eight Tube Heaters heat the barn.866-320-0715Shop online at www.hogslat.com©2018 Hog Slat, Inc. All rights reserved.The Hog Slat® medicator unit provides outstanding performance as a fixed ratio water powered injection pump. Fixed dilution at 1:128 injects one ounce per gallon of water flow. The DPLH128 unit is rated for up to 11 gallons per minute (GPM).• Reinforced valve support strengthens a critical component for reliable operation• Long lasting 3 part spring design reduces down time and maintenance costs• Easy to mount bracket simplifies installation and removal• Proven top and bottom seals• Includes clear stock tank suction hose and weighted strainer#DPLH128MedicatorConnection Size: 3/4” NPTUnit Weight: 3 lbsDimensions: 11.25” x 6.5”Operating Flow: 1/3 Pint/Min to 11 GPMPressure: 4.3 to 85 PSIRatio: 1:128Dilution Rate: 1 oz/galMaximum Temperature: 104°FAccessories: Clear suction tube, mounting bracket, weighted strainer, quick start guide21SEPTEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE18 Sept SE Form.indd 218/23/2018 8:44:39 PMDoing To LearnLearning To Do;Chillicothe FFA member, Zach Trout drives his Duroc barrow at the 2018 Missouri State Fair. Trout’s barrow was the Reserve Champion Duroc in the FFA show behind a littermate and was also the Champion Overall Barrow in the open show. Doing To LearnSEPTEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE2218 Sept SE Form.indd 228/23/2018 8:44:50 PMDoing To LearnFor six of the 10 days prior to the Missouri State Fair, Chillicothe FFA agricultural instructor, Lance Martin, spent his nights sitting on a fi ve-gallon bucket watching two of his students drive littermate Duroc barrows born at their school farm. Each night they debated which one was better.By Rachel DotsonDoing To Learn23SEPTEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE18 Sept SE Form.indd 238/23/2018 8:44:52 PMFast-forward to barrow show day at the Missouri State Fair, Martin stood ringside and watched the same two students, Connor Keithley and Zach Trout, drive the same two showpigs for the Champion FFA Duroc Barrow title. Keithley grabbed the champion plaque, and Trout followed him with a close reserve. Later in the day, Keithley’s barrow took home the Champion FFA Overall Barrow title and went on to win Reserve Champion Overall Barrow. Keithley and Trout had no prior exposure to the showpig industry before joining FFA, but their passion quickly began because of the school farm providing them with the opportunity to be involved with all aspects of showing pigs. The Litton Agri-Science Learning Center and Fairgrounds in Chillicothe, Missouri, has been providing students with the ability to house and show livestock at the center since the spring of 1994. The grounds include a 9,500 square-foot multi-purpose building, a 16,800 square-foot cattle building, two 10,000 square-foot buildings for hogs, sheep, goats, chickens and other small animals.Approximately 30 students utilize the center. Some students show multiple species, but most students have more than one animal in case a back-up is needed or if one animal is geared for a particular local, state or national show, says Martin. “It’s free of charge for students,” Martin says. “I already had one family call me a week before the fair to get on the list for 2019. Basically, they have to commit to doing Litton Center Work Days on Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in June and July.”Martin says the students are responsible for their own chores as far as feeding and the everyday care. The chapter consists of four advisors who assist the students with their projects and help get them to shows. “In the end, if they have good attendance, we assist them with entry money using Litton funds,” Martin says. “When we go to national shows we pay for some meals and the hotel rooms to make it easier for kids to get involved.”Trout, who discovered his interest in showing pigs after spending all day watching the show in the swine barn at the Missouri State Fair, says having the facility is a great way for students to get a taste of what showing livestock is like.“Our facility is just about second to none and that helps,” Trout says. “I try to make sure and tell every kid who goes to Chillicothe and is on the fence about joining FFA that we have an incredible facility. Go ahead and try it, it’s not a 100 percent commitment, and you can get out of it if it isn’t for you.” Gabby Hapes, a chapter member who keeps multiple species of show stock out at the farm, says it provides students with a unique experience. “Martin has taken kids who probably would have never shown before and given them an animal and the chance to learn about them,” Hapes says. “He has provided something for them and made sure they have gotten the best experience out of it that they possibly could.”During last summer’s Livingston County Fair at the Litton Center, 51 chapter members exhibited livestock. Forty-six members showed at the Missouri State Fair, and four exhibited at national shows, according to the chapter’s advisory committee report. “Whenever me and a couple of my buddies went to Martin our freshman year and said we wanted to show, his eyes lit up,” Trout says. “You could tell right then he was pretty excited, and we really didn’t know what we were getting into.”Trout says because of Martin’s background in raising and showing pigs with his family, it allows him to teach from his experiences. “He has goals and that is what drives him. I think he has accomplished a lot of them by now, so he is going to have to start setting new goals,” Trout laughs. When Martin started teaching at Chillicothe eight years ago, one of his goals with the farm was to improve the quality of genetics. “We already had really good numbers of participation,” Martin says. “But, I thought there were kids that could take it to the next level. I wanted to continue the strength of numbers, while also improving the genetic quality of livestock, and I think we have done that.”The most recent example of Martin and his students improving genetics started with a Duroc gilt purchase from Mike Jackson, Indiana, last spring. The Litton Agri-Science Learning Center in Chillicothe, Missouri, has been providing students with the ability to house livestock at the center since the spring of 1994. The grounds include a 9,500 square-foot multi-purpose building, a 16,800 square-foot cattle building, two 10,000 square-foot buildings for hogs, sheep, goats, chickens and other small animals."I try to make sure and tell every kid who goes to Chillicothe and is on the fence about joining FFA that we have an incredible facility." – Zach TroutSEPTEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE2418 Sept SE Form.indd 248/23/2018 8:44:54 PM”That gilt was a direct daughter out of a sow called Queenie that was shown at World Pork Expo and sold for $27,000,” Martin says. “She was shown on our jackpot series and ended up being the high-point Duroc gilt. Her greatest success was at Expo, where she stood fourth overall.”Chillicothe FFA member, Cole Gutshall, who drove the gilt all summer, took her to the state fair where she ended her career as the Champion Duroc Gilt. “After talking with Seth Swenson and Troy Sloan, I decided to breed her to Colored-Up 24-8, and those pigs were farrowed on January 20, and she had 15 and weaned 12,” Martin says. “They were born at our school farm and each of those pigs were just good built, super sound and incredible in their skeleton. Early on, they lacked a little bit of muscularity and were often over looked. Often times the word 'green' gets over used in the industry, but to me these pigs were the defi nition of green. I would rather see them like that at that stage than having too much already. Those barrows just continued to get better each week.”After success at their county fair with the barrows, Trout and Keithley realized they had something special. They then set a goal to win the Duroc show at the state fair. “Once I got into the ring (at state fair), honestly, the way that barrow drove I was just trying to hold on to the reins because he is a little crazy, and Connor’s is a little more mellow,” Trout says. “In my mind I was just trying to decide what the judge was going to do because I couldn’t fi gure it out. I knew it was going to be close and either way we had a pretty good chance of accomplishing our goals. That sense of relief while I was driving, not to take anything away from the other barrows left standing, felt pretty good being in the ring and knowing what was going to happen.”In the open show portion of the fair, Trout took home the Champion Overall Barrow title, and another littermate was named the Reserve Champion Duroc Barrow. Martin says out of that litter, there were four barrows throughout the county fair and jackpot season and now the state fair that had grand or reserve titles. Now, two gilts out of that litter have grand or reserve titles throughout the spring and summer show season. “I have been raising Durocs essentially my whole life, so this is something I have worked toward, but you never know if it is quite possible against the crosses,” Martin says. “I don’t own a cross sow myself, and I don’t have any intentions to at this point because I am that passionate about red hogs. To be able to make one that good is incredible, but to be able to put together a litter where three barrows and a gilt got grand or reserve at the state fair, is really humbling. I know this opportunity doesn’t always present itself and it may never again.”For Keithley, who just started showing this summer, the success has not quite sunk in. He sold his barrow in the Sale of Champions for a record-setting price of $30,000. "Martin has taken kids who probably would have never shown before and given them an animal and the chance to learn about them. He has provided something for them and made sure they have gotten the best experience out of it that they possibly could." – Gabby HapesConnor Keithley, Chillicothe FFA member, drives his Duroc barrow in the overall grand drive at the 2018 Missouri State Fair. Keithley took home Reserve Champion Overall Barrow honors and sold his pig in the Sale of Champions for $30,000.25SEPTEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE18 Sept SE Form.indd 258/23/2018 8:44:55 PM“A lot of families chase it for generations, so it’s an amazing deal,” Keithley says. Keithley enjoyed being able to show against Trout at the state fair. “It was competitive and fun to go out there against someone you know,” Keithley says. “That is who I show pigs with all summer.”Because of the school farm, Keithley says he was given the opportunity to help raise those barrows from the day they were farrowed and right up to show day at the fair.“We drove every night against each other at home, and that’s where things are won,” Trout says. “We’ve been helping and pushing each other at home every single night for a while. He pushed me a lot this summer, and even though it was his fi rst year showing, being able to watch someone else show, you still pick up on things.” Trout adds that for him the fi rst 90 days raising pigs on the school farm is his favorite part.“I like the 90 days that are leading up to a day like the Friday at the fair when we showed those barrows,” Trout says. “All the work and watching those things transform from baby pigs and especially those barrows we showed last weekend that didn’t look like a whole lot when they were born. But the feeding, training and walking at home all that stuff that is my favorite part.” From a teaching aspect, the center allows Martin to take his lesson plans outside of the classroom. “The convenience of where it is located right down the hill from our ag department allows me to not just teach the skills in the classroom but reinforce them with hands on activities,” Martin says. “Obviously, for most of our students, being able to do the physical work has a lot more value than showing a video or telling them what we do. That is the best proponent of having a school farm.”Colby Gilespie, Chillicothe FFA member, who started showing pigs this summer, says in class his freshman year, he was given the opportunity to learn fi rst-hand about farrowing, ear notching and giving shots. Martin says outside of the show ring, one of the chapter’s main focus is their members earning State FFA Degrees. Two years ago, the chapter had 21 students earn their state degree, which was the most in the state.“We think in that three-circle model of ag education, the well-rounded students are the ones that encompass all three circles,” Martin says. “Students that encompass a solid SAE project, are active in FFA at the local, state and national level and are also high-quality students in the classroom.” When students leave Chillicothe, Martin and the other advisors hope to have provided them the skills necessary to be successful.“Obviously, we want them to be productive adults, whether that means, going to a two or four year college or going straight to the work force,” Martin says. “It’s not about the awards, but we do feel like the state degree is the best refl ection of how well we prepared those students.”As Martin and his student’s look to the future, they have decided to add some additional summer shows to their calendar. “I want to continue to have students who have that competitive nature and who want to compete above this level, this level is great and I love our state fair,” Martin says. “But, I want to give our kids the opportunity to go to Expo and experience that- the environment, the shear number of hogs and quality. If they leave Expo and they are hungry, then I know they are wanting to do this for real. With the groups that I have taken up there, those kids have always wanted to make it a repeat trip. That tells me they are doing it for the right reasons. Our plan is to add Louisville next year.” “The more exposure I can get for FFA students with the NJSA program, the better,” Martin says. “The mission of both organizations are so closely aligned. They really are the building blocks to make the most successful future agriculturists and leaders in the swine industry.” Gutshall who has shown at Expo, agrees with Martin and (top) Lance Martin and his students spend time processing baby pigs at the learning center. (bottom) Cole Gutshall, Chillicothe FFA member, takes home the 4th Overall Duroc Gilt banner at the 2017 World Pork Expo.“ I know that between me working with my students, if we can agree on something with all of our opinions, chances are that pig is going to turn out and be good. I want it to be a group effort.” — Lance MartinSEPTEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE2618 Sept SE Form.indd 268/23/2018 8:44:58 PMwants his chapter to continue to compete at a high level. “In the past, when Zach and I have shown together, our pigs are always average in the beginning and continue to get better throughout the summer,” Gutshall says. “We want to be able to continue that and be competitive at high level shows.” However, before next year’s summer shows hit, Martin will spend his spring doing something he looks forward to every year. “One of my favorite things to do with kids is in the spring when we go showpig shopping,” Martin says. “Exposing the kids to the breeders I know is one of my favorite things to do. They see what is out there. They see different breeder’s mentality’s I don’t want to monkey train them into students who constantly ask me what that pig needs or how to pick them out. That is not my goal. I know that between me working with my students, if we can agree on something with all of our opinions, chances are that pig is going to turn out and be good. I want it to be a group effort.”Martin even makes the breeding decisions a group effort. He says he typically will have one class period where he prints off pictures of boars and they will have a classroom discussion in his advanced animal science class. “We will look at pedigrees, and we’ll study them,” Martin says. “I constantly have students- Zach, Cole and others as soon as a boar is posted on social media that they think will work, they are sending it to me and we are having conversation if they think that one will work or not. They are better at asking that breeder for a video if there is a pig online that they like. They will send it to me.”“I want to utilize them and make them apart of it because then they take ownership in it,” Martin says. “It just means more when it is all said and done. I think that’s why this state fair is special because it’s not just about one breeder, it’s a whole host of people who have worked together to make that litter. That is what is the most exciting.”Chillicothe FFA advisor, Lance Martin, and his students, Connor Keithley and Zach Trout, are pictured with their Reserve Champion Overall Barrow in the junior show (top) and Champion Overall Barrow in the open show (bottom). Chillicothe FFA advisor, Lance Martin, congratulates student, Connor Keithley after being named the Reserve Champion Overall Barrow at the 2018 Missouri State Fair. 27SEPTEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE18 Sept SE Form.indd 278/23/2018 8:44:59 PMReserve Champion Open and FFA Duroc Gilt, 18 MO SFShown by: Tucker Burtch | Sold for $5,500Reserve Overall & Champion FFA Duroc Barrow, 18 MO SFShown by: Connor KeithleyGrand Overall Open & Res. FFA Duroc Barrow, 18 MO SFShown by: Zach TroutReserve Champion Open Duroc Barrow, 18 MO SFShown by: Jersey Rowe3242 LIV 522, Chillicothe, MO 64601Cell: 660.973.5802 | Email: lmartin@grts.orgREDalertMartiNLanceshowpigsSEPTEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE2818 Sept SE Form.indd 288/23/2018 8:45:02 PMalert SUBSCRIBESU B S C R I B E SU B S C R I B E S U B S C R I B E SU B S C R I B EDON’T MISS ONE ISSUE!Seedstock EDGE is the premier publication of the purebred swine industry.$25 One Year (U.S.) $60 One Year First Class (U.S.) New subscription RenewalPlease allow 8-10 weeks for the fi rst issue.Subscribe or renew online at NATIONALSWINE.COM!EXP. DATE3-DIGIT SECURITY CODE (back of card)PAYMENT INFORMATIONAll fi elds in red are required to process credit cardsNAME ON CARDÌÌÌReturn with payment to:NATIONAL SWINE REGISTRY2639 Yeager RoadWest Lafayette, IN 47906CARD #Check oneTOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED$SUBSCRIBER NAME/FARMADDRESSCITYSTATEZIPPHONE #EMAIL$60 Three Years (U.S.) $150 One Year (Foreign & Canada) CHECK CREDIT CARD29SEPTEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE18 Sept SE Form.indd 298/24/2018 2:20:17 PMNext >