Animal Science Academy - Swine

Selecting swine for the Minnesota 4-H show season involves choosing healthy pigs in January/February/March that are structurally correct, heavy-muscled, and well-balanced, aiming for a show day weight of 250–290 lbs. Focus on a level top line, wide tracking, strong pasterns, and smooth movement. A pig should be healthy, bright eyed and have energy.

Key Selection Criteria

• Structure: Ensure the pig is sound on its feet and legs, with good flex in the hocks and pasterns. Avoid pigs that are too straight in their shoulders or cow-hocked.
• Muscle: Look for natural thickness, a deep, thick ham, and a wide, "butterfly" shape over the top (loin).
• Balance & Look: Choose a pig that is long-bodied, long-fronted (tall at the shoulder), and level from front to rear.
• Health & Growth: Choose active, healthy piglets with rapid growth potential, aiming for a gain of 1.5–1.8 lbs per day.
• Timing: Select pigs born late January through early March.
• Evaluate Structure First: Poor structure, such as weak pasterns or toes pointing out, will worsen as they grow.
• Relationship with Breeder: Work with experienced breeders who can help you select a pig matching your goals.
• Target Weights: Select pigs that will reach the 250-290 lb range by the fair.
• Showmanship: Start working with your pig early to build a strong, trusting relationship

University of Mn Resources on health and nutrition. Link to more information is here.

MN 4-H/Extension 4-H Swine Project Resources. Link to more information is here.

• All About Livestock - University of MN Extension - Link to more information here

• Animal ID - Minnesota 4-H - Link to more information here
• Leasing an animal in 4-H - Minnesota 4-H - Link to more information here
• Lease Form - Minnesota 4-H - Link to form

Tip: Work with your animal daily and develop a healthy training routine.

Key Training Techniques:

• Bonding First: Spend time sitting with the pig, allowing it to become comfortable with your presence.
• Introduce Tools: Let the pig smell/chew on the brush and show stick/whip to understand they are not threats. Your pig can sense how you are feeling.
• Guidance (Turning): To turn the pig left, tap its right cheek; to turn right, tap its left cheek.
• Forward Motion: Tap the pig gently on the side between the shoulder and the middle of the body to move forward.
• Head Position: Use the stick under the chin to keep the head up. Avoid tapping on the butt, hocks, or top of the head.
• Rewards: Use treats like marshmallows to reward good behavior and reinforce training.
• Practice Routine: Start with 5-10 minute sessions, working up to 30-40 minutes of daily exercise to build stamina
• Patience required: your pig is learning with you. Remember too long of training sessions can be difficult for both the animal and the trainer. Ending your routine training session on a good note is important.
• However, training and teaching can sometimes get frustrating at times. Your animal will respond best to positivity and calm attitudes from we humans. It is important to do your best to stay calm and positive.
• It is important to recognize how you as the animal owner/trainer are feeling and reacting to your animals behavior. If you feel yourself getting frustrated take a break when needed. Return to training when you are feeling more positive and calm.

Video Resources:

• How to use your show stick: Video Link Here
• Training your pig to walk with you and your guidance: Video Link Here

Additional Resources:

• National Pork Producers Council www.nppc.org  ND Pork Council www.ndpork.org
• Minnesota Pork Producers https://www.mppainsider.org/mn-pork-production/

1. Premium Book

• General Projects / animal science, vet science, exploring animals, and more - link is here
• Animal Science / all species - link is here

2. Fair Entry - Project Registration to show at county fair.

• Redwood County 4-H Fair Entry
• This is the program used to register what projects members are planning to exhibit at the Redwood County Fair.
• Use your 4honline.com account information to log in
• Fair entry link is here

3. Showmanship

• All youth are expected to participate in Showmanship Class for their age group.
• Register for showmanship in Fairentry.com when you are registering your projects to exhibit at the Redwood County Fair.

4. Interviews

• All youth are expected to participate in interviews.
• Register for interviews in Fairentry.com when you are registering your projects to exhibit at the Redwood County Fair. Interview judging occurs during the Redwood County Fair.
• Sign up for your interview time with the Barn Superintendent. Typically, sign ups happen along with the barn meeting.
• The interview will happen prior to your show and age group winners are awarded during your animal species show.
• Dress code for interviews:
• Clean clothing, shirts should be without sponsorship,
• No hats, no holes
• Show clothes are not expected
• Sample Livestock interview questions - Montana State University - Montana Extension Services
• Practice questions - animals - beginner, intermediate, and advanced - Ohio State University
• MN 4-H State Fair Interview Process - Link and information are here

5. Pre and Post Fair Clean Up

• Pre-Fair - July 8, 2026 - youth exhibiting animals at the fair are expected to attend pre-fair clean up. Clean up begins at 6 pm.
• Post Fair - Load out can begin at 7 pm on Sunday of the county fair. All youth must fully clean their area and stalls and remain on the fair grounds until their species building is clean and/or the species superintendent releases 4-H members to go.
• Note: Sunday morning of the Redwood County Fair from 7 am - 9 am youth may remove tac and other items no longer needed. Trailers must be off grounds by 9 am.

6. What is a show box, equipment needed, and what to bring? The following items are general need items. Additional items specific to your species may be needed.

• Show box to keep equipment/tack in/grooming products
• Registration Papers
• Feed
• Water pail and hose and Feed pan

• Broom, fork, wheelbarrow

• Bedding - discuss what, if any, additional bedding is needed with your species superintendent. 4-H provides woodchips.

• Fans, extension cords, zip ties, pliers, scissors, and grooming chute (optional)

• Clean rags, livestock soap, allowable grooming products - adhesives/foams & adhesive remover (optional)

• Rice root brush, curry comb, scotch comb, blower (optional), electric clippers

• Youth should carry a driving tool, a small hand brush, and a rag when in the show ring

Want to build your own show box? Here is a set of plans - University of Maine - make a great 4-H Shop Project as well!

7. Show Clothes

Bring proper show clothes to change into. Youth may use the changing station provided for use during the fair. The preferred show wear includes:

• long pants/jeans without holes
• button-down or polo shirt
• boots/closed-toed shoes - no exceptions
• No sponsorships may be included on the clothing, No hats, and no holes
• Harnesses, pins, or magnets may be used to display exhibitor numbers on the exhibitors back. Redwood County 4-H will provide the back tag number and safety pins. Members wanting to use harnesses or magnets should provide their own.

We recommend saving your county fair t-shirt for the Ribbon Auction held Saturday morning of the county fair. More information on the auction and participation requirements are typically mailed by May.

8. Animal Check in at the fair - Redwood County 4-H Process

• Animals must be checked by the county fair veterinarian prior to entering the fairgrounds per MN Board of Animal Health Rules.
• The vets are available the Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning of county fair and located in the grass parking area across from the northern most fairgrounds gate.
• Details are available in the 4-H premium book
• Cloverbuds bringing their own animal must also comply with the vet check during our county fair animal science check in.

9. Truck/Trailers:

• Trailers may come onto the fairgrounds to off load your supplies and animals to their respective barns
• Trailers must be off the fairgrounds by 10 am Thursday of county fair
• Park trailers on the grass parking lot across from the northern most fairgrounds gate. Near the ball field.
• DO NOT set hitches onto the walking path
• DO set hitches on wood or similar barrier and place on the grass to prevent the hitch from digging into the ground.
• DO Lock your trailers.

10. Animal Exhibit Release during county fair:

• Cloverbuds may take their animal home following their species show.
• All other animal science exhibits and projects are required to remain on fairgrounds through the end of the fair.

If you or a 4-H participant need disability-related or other accommodations to participate in this program or have questions about the physical accessibility of the event location, please contact Stacy J at 507-637-4025 or email skjohnso@umn.edu at registration or at least 2 weeks prior to the program or event. Late notice may limit our ability to provide requested accommodations.