Adams County Commercial Swine Program

By Andi Anderson

The Adams County Commercial Swine Program is designed to provide youth with a valuable opportunity to raise market hogs while learning important livestock management skills.

This program allows participants to care for a commercial market animal at a reasonable cost and compete with similar animals during junior fair events.

The goal of the program is to help members gain hands-on experience in animal care, feeding, and daily management while preparing their hogs for fair competition and sale.

A limited number of animals are available each year, and members are selected through a lottery system. Selected participants are notified before the program begins.

To be eligible, members must be enrolled in the required market hog project and be in good standing with their local youth agriculture organization.

Participants are also required to attend a market hog clinic, where they receive training on proper care, feeding, and preparation techniques. This clinic helps ensure that all youth understand animal welfare and management responsibilities.

Animals are supplied by a local breeder and are provided to exhibitors at market-based prices. Each exhibitor receives a starter bag of feed and access to suitable feed rations at reasonable costs.

Hogs are picked up at a designated time and location, where they are tagged and weighed to establish starting records.

Commercial hogs are shown at the beginning of the market hog show. These animals are eligible to compete for class awards and higher championship honors. Participants may also choose to sell their hog through the junior fair sale, though each exhibitor may sell only one lot.

A minimum weight requirement must be met for hogs to be sold, and all other market swine rules apply to ensure fair and consistent competition. These guidelines help promote animal health, fair judging, and responsible livestock handling.

Through this program, youth develop leadership, responsibility, and animal husbandry skills that prepare them for future agricultural careers or continued involvement in farming and livestock production. The Commercial Swine Program also encourages confidence, teamwork, and pride in raising healthy animals.

Overall, the Adams County Commercial Swine Program offers a structured, educational, and supportive environment where young members can grow as responsible livestock caretakers while gaining meaningful experience in agricultural production.

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