Thirty-Seventh Annual Wheeler County FFA/4-H Market Hog Show

Nineteen FFA and 4-H members participated in the 37th Annual Wheeler County Market Hog Show on Monday, February 21. The show was held at the new agriculture facility in Alamo. There were 39 entries this year, and the hogs had to weigh between 220 to 280 pounds to qualify for the show. The exhibitors participating this year were Remington Bateson, Jase and Jebb Brown, Sarah Kate Williams, Clay Ryals, Layla Vann, Layton Spires, Claire VanHouten, Anna Beth Ethredge, Zoey Vann, Keaton Pickle, Jaxson Derriso, Bobby Rowland, Weston Pickle, Molly Bridges, Jamie Norris, Briley Rowland, Abby Spires, and Davis Williams. The project Advisors were Bryant Oliver and Les Bateson, Wheeler County High School Agriculture Education teachers, and Hannah Henry, Wheeler County Middle School Agriculture Education teacher. Neal Clark served as the master of ceremonies, and Dr. Clay Walker judged this year’s market show.

Layla Vann won Grand Champion Market Hog with her 223 lb. gilt, and Weston Pickle received Reserve Champion with his 235 lb. gilt. Zoey Vann won 3rd Overall with her 220 lb. barrow. Layla Derriso also received 4th Overall with her 216 lb. barrow, and Keaton Pickle won 5th Overall with his 218 lb. gilt.

Showmanship is also a big part of this show. The participants were judged on how well they could present their hogs to the judge. Preparation includes washing, clipping, grooming, walking, and training their animal. Four Pre-Club members received trophies for their outstanding showmanship: Remington Bateson, Jase and Jebb Brown, and Sarah Kate Williams. Layla Vann won Novice Showmanship while the winner of Junior Showmanship One was Layton Spires. Anna Beth Ethredge was the winner of Junior Showmanship Two. Jaxson Derriso won the Intermediate Showmanship class, and the winner for Senior Showmanship was Weston Pickle.

Seven participants had an entry in the record book contest. The participants kept up with all of their livestock project expenses and wrote a summary of what they learned. The 4-H/FFA Market Hog Record Book top three were first place, Anna Beth Ethredge, second place, Jaxson Derriso, and third place Layton Spires.

All of the 4-H/ FFA members will travel to Perry to compete in the upcoming Georgia Junior National Livestock Show.

Many Individuals played an important role in making the market hog show a success. The FFA/4-H parents sponsored the show with the guidance of Mr. Oliver, Mr. Bateson and Mrs. Henry. Many local businesses made contributions to the show. South GA Tools of Alamo sponsored the Grand Champion, Wheeler County State Bank sponsored the Reserve Champion, the 3rd overall market hog was sponsored by Avery Farms, fourth over was sponsored by Locke Logging, Wheeler County Farm Bureau and 3D Farms. Triple L Land Clearing, Company Supply and Trane sponsored the 5th overall market hog award.

The “Boss Hog Award” was presented to the 4-H/ FFA participants who collected the most donations for the show. This year Jaxson Derriso won the award while The Vann Family came in second place.

The 4-H and FFA organizations would like to thank all of the people who helped make this year’s show a success.

L to R: Dr. Clay Walker, Judge; Weston Pickle, Reserve Champion; and Bryant Oliver, Project Advisor.

L to R: Dr. Clay Walker, Judge; Keaton Pickle, Fifth Overall; and Bryant Oliver, Project Advisor.

L to R: Dr. Clay Walker, Judge; Zoey Vann, Third Overall; and Bryant Oliver, Project Advisor.

L to R: Dr. Clay Walker, Judge; Layla Derriso, Fourth Overall; Molly Bridges, 10th Grader; and Bryant Oliver, Project Advisor.