NATIONAL JUNIOR SWINE ASSOCIATION Raising pigs. Raising kids. Raising our MEMBER PACKET Dear National Junior Swine Association Member, Congratulations on becoming a member of the NJSA – one of the fastest growing and most exciting youth livestock organizations in the country! We have many great opportunities for you to gain knowledge, develop friendships and have fun in the NJSA! The NJSA was formally established in 2000 for youth, ages 21 and under, who have an interest in the purebred Duroc, Hampshire, Landra- ce and Yorkshire breeds of swine. The organization offers young people an opportunity to become further involved and informed about the industry, while meeting other youth that have the same passion. Throughout the year, NJSA puts on numerous swine shows and leadership conferences, along with providing scholarship and internship opportunities, just to name a few. NJSA has grown to over 12,500 members as of early 2016! We promote ethical values and practices in raising and showing hogs to our youth, along with maintaining and building the knowledge and experiences of past generations. You will not want to miss out on all of the leadership and involvement opportunities offered in the NJSA! NJSA past members speak about how much NJSA helped them find their closest friends and learn to open up and embrace who they are. Don't hold back from getting involved, you won't regret it! NJSA is present at twelve different shows throughout the year, all over the country. The NJSA hosts four regional shows (Eastern Re- gional-Hamburg, NY; Southwest Regional-Woodward, OK; Southeast Regional-Perry, GA; Western Regional-Turlock, CA), three na- tional shows (World Pork Expo Junior National-Des Moines, IA; National Junior Summer Spectacular-Louisville, KY; National Barrow Show-Austin, MN) and partners with five other national swine shows (American Royal-Kansas City, MO; North American International Livestock Exposition-Louisville, KY; National Western Stock Show-Denver, CO; Ak-Sar-Ben-Omaha, NE; Arizona Junior Nationals-Phoe- nix, AZ). Various contests are conducted at NJSA shows, including Showmanship, Judging Contests, Skillathon, Ag Sales, Prepared Speak- ing, Extemporaneous Speaking, Photography, Poster, and Scrapbook contests. The NJSA also hosts three leadership conferences throughout the year--the National Youth Leadership Conferences (ages 14-21), Regional Leadership Conference (ages 12-18), and NJSA Boot Camp (ages 8-12). The National Youth Leadership Conference takes place in a dif- ferent city each year and is a weekend-long conference focusing on leadership and the swine industry. The Regional Leadership Conference travels to a different college or university each year and is a one-day conference. NJSA Boot Camp rotates among the agricultural universi- ties in the Midwest and is a one-day conference, as well. As members progress through the organization, there are different leadership opportunities that they can be involved with. The NJSA Junior Board of Directors is made up of twelve youth from across the country that travel to NJSA shows, assist with shows and leadership con- ferences, and serve as ambassadors to NJSA members and supporters. NJSA members can also become involved in the MVP (Mentoring Values People) program and serve as a mentor (older or more experienced NJSA members) or protégé (new or younger NJSA members). In addition, the NJSA awards over $12,000 in scholarships each year to members of all ages. Furthermore, the National Swine Registry hires three college students to gain experience as interns for the three summer months each year. The NJSA Handbook and your new member packet can be viewed online at nationalswine.com/njsa. Click the NJSA Handbook to access this very important tool to aid in your NJSA experience. The Handbook contains all of the show rules and dates, contest details, and other important information for the year. If you have any questions about the organization, membership, shows, events, etc., feel free to contact us anytime! We'd love to hear from you! We are always looking for new ways to improve our junior association. Your feedback will help us achieve that potential, so give us a call at 765.463.3594 or e-mail [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely, Ellen Knauth | NSR Director of Junior Shows Tips for winning the blue By Terrel Buck Picture this - you’re in the holding pen, purple soaps that work well on white pigs. have the same opportunity for the judge waiting for the judge to let you into the Use a soft-bristle brush when washing the to view their projects. When the entire ring to show for champion showman. Are pigs, as this creates less irritation to the skin. class is in the ring, keep your pig 10 to you confident that your pig will let you show to the best of your ability? Your Conditioners are very 15 feet in front of the judge and moving at all pig is a major factor during important to your pig’s skin. times. Remember to anticipate where both showmanship, and the only way At least two weeks prior to the judge and your pig are going to be. to be sure that your pig is ready for me show, begin applying the challenge is to do your homework. conditioner daily to the pig’s Everyone needs to pick a comfortable Here are a few ideas that will help you skin. Nearly every show supply showmanship style. In most successful styles, prepare for when you step into the ring. company makes a product the driver is close enough so that he or she that will work effectively. can touch the pig with the pipe at all times. Spend time with your showpigs. Begin working with your showpigs when they The most important thing you Chances are you began showing because weigh 80 to 90 pounds. Start walking the can do for your pig’s skin is to you wanted to have fun and win a ribbon. pigs in small groups. After they become provide a good, clean living Now, many years later, your focus is on comfortable with walking, begin walking environment. A clean environment one thing-winning the blue ribbon. them by themselves in an open field. Spend will not only help with the skin time brushing and rubbing your pig to calm condition, but it is vital for the pig’s growth I, too, strive to win, but I don’t let that stop it down. The more time you spend with your and freshness of appearance at the show. me from making friendships that will last a pig, the better it will perform on show day. lifetime. I agree with Jennifer Shike, who once Clip your Showpig. The secret to clipping wrote, “Don’t be afraid to make competition Train your pig to show. I’m sure everyone is to make your show project look natural. fun. It’s so easy to get caught up has heard the old sayings: “You perform When clipping, don’t make obvious lines in trying to win, that you like you practice” and “’You reap what you anywhere on its body. This makes the pig forget why you’re really sow.” Well, the same applies to showpigs. appear unnatural. Before clipping, check in the ring. If Walk your pigs in an open area, and use the show’s rules and regulations. Make sure you aren’t out the same commands and show stick as you clipping rules don’t exist. Do all of your there because would in the ring. Practice showing your clipping before you go to the show. This will you love it, then you pig to a tree or other object and pretend reduce the pig’s stress while at the show. aren’t out there for the it’s the judge. The practice you do at home right reason. I’ve always isn’t just for the pig, but also for you. Tips for show day. Show day has arrived. You believed that the happiest are appropriately dressed with a brush in your people don’t necessarily take Weigh your pig. Find out the weight pocket. When the judge first sees your home the blue ribbon.” limit for your target show and begin pig, it should be clean and planning early. Know how much your pig well groomed. The judge’s Whether you are a beginner or a veteran, is gaining and how much it needs to gain first look is the most important; hopefully, this will help you. Remember, to reach the ideal weight for your show. therefore, it is essential that the the key to success is hard work. If you are This tip is especially important for older pig moves at a slow pace, so the working hard and doing your homework showpigs that may exceed weight limits. judge can effectively evaluate it. prior to the show to get your pig ready, the awards you receive will mean more Condition your pig’s skin. Wash your After the judge has viewed to you. On the other hand, if you aren’t project regularly, especially if your pig is the pig, take it to the other end doing your homework, I suggest you get white. Many show supply companies carry of the ring, so your competitors started. Your competitors already have. Proven. Progressive. Purebreds. 2639 YEAGER ROAD :: WEST LAFAYETTE, IN 47906 • 765.463.3594 • NATIONALSWINE.COM Ideal Duroc Features To fi nd out more about Duroc breed registration and show eligibility, visit nationalswine.com. 2 1 6 9 3 8 10 1. Long, clean face 2. Drooping ears 5 3. Long, clean neck 4. Big, even toes 5. Wide based from front to rear 7 6.