News team learned what we already know

4-H exhibitors spend weeks preparing for their time in the show ring. To an outsider, the 10 minutes in the ring may look easy. But the morning news team from WAND TV in Decatur found out just how hard showing livestock can be when they tried their hand at exhibiting hogs at the Illinois State Fair.

Olivia Shike, Eric Schafer, Makenna Green, and Maddie Fugate have more than 30 years of show experience between them. The veterans gave the news crew a crash course in showing, including the most basic lesson: Keep the pig between you and the judge without getting too close.

“It’s important to stay confident,” Makenna says.“The pig knows if you’re not sure what to do.”

Morning show host Matt Loveless tried to put in lay terms what he was hearing. “The back of the pig is the gas pedal, and the neck is the steering wheel.”

When the guides stepped away and the “show” began, it didn’t take long for panic to set in with the news team. Meredith Juliet raced from edge to edge and side to side trying to keep the pig moving and out of the corner.

Loveless, hoping the hog might respond to positive motivation, whispered, “Come on, buddy; let’s go for a walk.” Expressing a newfound respect for the 4-H members, he admits the work is “physically tiring.” Juliet says she wasn’t prepared for how large and strong the hogs would be, picturing instead cute baby pigs.

4-H members serve as ambassadors for Illinois 4-H and the livestock industry, says U of I Extension animal science educator Dan Jennings. “These four young people are helping teach people who are far removed from food production.”

When you decide to raise livestock, one thing is certain; there’s never a day you aren’t working on your project. Youth at the state livestock judging contest were recently asked how much time they spend each week working on livestock projects. Eighty percent spend at least six hours a week; 35 percent spend more than 16 hours a week. That time intensive training has noticeable results for Illinois 4-H members:

• 96% say 4-H has taught them to be responsible and ethical.

• 96% believe 4-H has made them more confident and social.

• 91% want an ag science career.

So how do these members think their lives would be different without the 4-H livestock experience?

• “I would not be the same person I am today without all the valuable life lessons.”

• “I would not have the friends and experiences I do.”

• “I would not have any of the confidence I have today.”

• “I would not have as much responsibility as I have today.”

• “I would not have the skill set I have now and would probably be doing something completely different in life.”

• “I wouldn’t know the people I do today or have the work ethic I do.”

Many members mention the camaraderie, friendship, and fun they enjoy while showing livestock. And one points out the obvious: “I wouldn’t have jeans and boots.”

More than 46,000 animal projects are taken by club members and participants in programs across Illinois every year. That translates into thousands of boots, jeans, and dedicated livestock producers.