“Don’t hide. Drive to win.”
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Hayley Daniell
Hayley Daniell, an 18 year old from Florence, carries a deep passion for pigs, showing and teaching others. Her parents, Scott and Andrea Daniell along with brother Cody, have been raising swine since she could remember. They started with 3 Hampshire sows and over the years have farrowed out Durocs, Yorks, Berks and Crosses; they usually have approximately 10 to 13 breeding females at any given time. Hayley shared their goal in raising pigs, “Our hope was to breed, raise, sell and show champions for myself and others.” They also have over 50 Dorper ewes and approximately 30 cows on the ranch to take up any time not spent with the pigs. Hayley has been showing pigs since she was 8 years old, but her first experience in the show ring was terrifying. “The fear of being trampled and losing my pig kept tossing around in my head.” Hayley told us as she relived her first show, where she received 5th Place with her Hampshire gilt, Sarah, “I was so excited, I didn’t lose my pig and I get to keep the pretty yellow ribbon!” Since this experience in the show ring she has been hooked into show pigs. “I’ve tried showing lambs and rabbits, but it just wasn’t my thing. Not enough personality from the animals and I just didn’t have the drive like I do with pigs.” What do you enjoy most about showing? I really enjoy showing hogs that were born and raised on the ranch. I feel like when I go out and show, my hogs try to impress me. For me, it’s not about competing with others; rather, it’s watching my hogs handle well and knowing that other people are watching them too. It doesn’t matter if we won a class or hit the gate, I feel like they know their job and perform at their best.
What is your favorite show and why? My favorite show is San Angelo. Not only have I had the best success at this show, but I also enjoy that it’s more laid back, and it seems that there’s more opportunity to visit with others. Most of the friends I’ve made, I met at Angelo. It’s made showing a lot easier knowing that we are going to a show and have friends waiting to see us. It gives us people to pen by and we all help each other out. It’s like a big show family reunion! What has been your most memorable experience? My most memorable experience was the first time I won a class in San Antonio with a gilt that I raised. I remember walking to the holding pen for a picture when my dad walks up, gives me a huge hug, and says “Hot dang, we did it!!” It was one of those father/daughter bonding moments that has stayed with me forever. I’ve won a lot since that day, but I will always remember that first blue ribbon and the excitement from my dad. Although Hayley enjoys all aspects of the swine operation, her favorite time of the year is farrowing season. “Helping a piglet come into this world is just the best feeling.” With all of her hands on experience, she has learned a lot and shares whenever she can. When it comes to pulling baby piglets her local vet will tell other breeders that “She’s the one to call, she’ll get it out.” Hayley has gone on numerous “Pig Calls” to help other breeders out during the farrowing of sows. She loves to watch all the young pigs grow and find their own unique personality. Playing with the piglets throughout the summer everyday allows them to develop a bond that is irreplaceable. “I’ve spent every summer in the farrowing house and have watched hundreds of pigs go through this barn, but I wouldn’t change a single thing.” Who has helped you the most with your show projects? My dad has definitely helped me the most in raising and showing hogs. He taught me how to show, was there the first time I pulled a piglet, helped me walk hogs twice a day during show season and was always at the gate
waiting for me to come out of the show ring. He’s always been my go to person. Any question I had, my dad had the answer. Dad was also my personal chauffeur from day one. We’d load up the hogs and head out at all hours of the day or night. Our road trips consisted of all the Texas majors as well as trips to Denver, Des Moines, Kansas City, Belton, and our future trip to Louisville this summer. What has being involved in production agriculture taught you? Raising hogs has taught me a lot about commitment, responsibility, and budgeting. Since most of the litters were born during the summer, there were a lot of times that I couldn’t go anywhere. Time revolved around the sows and the piglets. On weekends, I couldn’t go out with my friends until after the hogs were fed and walked. They were always my first priority. And budgeting, oh goodness how these hogs have taught me about money! Having 15+ hogs on feed during show season made a pretty heavy bill at the feed store. That isn’t counting the hair and skin products, bedding, and show materials needed in the show box. I’ve learned to watch my spending because it can drain very quickly. What has been the best advice you’ve been given? My dad always told me, “Don’t hide. Drive to win.” It’s easier to just keep on pushing rather than trying to hide from the judge. Never give up on that drive. It’s all or nothing. In addition to her many FFA/4-H activities, Hayley is also currently the Secretary of National Honor Society and a member of both the Leo Club and Students Against Destructive Decisions. She too finds time to volunteer at the animal shelter and tutors elementary students. Her future plans are to attend Texas A&M University in College Station in the fall of 2014, majoring in Animal Science and then continue to earn a degree in Veterinary Medicine, specializing in Radiology. After college she plans on restarting her own swine herd because “I can’t be hogless forever.”
Summer Intership Opportunity Available Now Become activley engaged in the daily functions of the Texas Pork Producers Association, to enhance the developement and delivery of program activiteis of the Association, and to assist in providing communications and educational opportunities for producers, youth and the public about the pork industry. Internship Application available at www.texaspork.org
Market News Gainesville Livestock Auction March 18, 2014
#1 Butchers (230-270 lbs.) - $0.70 - $0.80/lb. #2 Butchers (220-280 lbs.) - $0.60 - $0.70/lb. Sows (<400 lbs.) - $0.60 - $0.68/lb. Sows (400-500 lbs.) - $0.58 - $0.60/lb. Feeder Pigs (100-175 lbs.) - $0.60 - $0.80/lb. Boars - $0.28 - $0.40/lb.
Brenham Livestock Auction March 21, 2014
Butchers 1-2 Grade (230-260 lbs.) - $0.75 - $0.80/lb. Butchers 2-3 Grade (225-275 lbs.) - $0.70 - $0.75/lb. Butchers 3-4 Grade (225-275 lbs.) - $0.60 - $0.65/lb. Packer Sows 1-2 Grade (550-700 lbs.) - $0.40 - $0.42/lb. Packer Sows 2-3 Grade (350-500 lbs.) - $0.35 - $0.38/lb. Packer Sows 3-4 Grade (250-500 lbs.) - $0.32 - $0.35/lb. Packer Boars (300-700) - $0.05 - $0.10/lb. Feeder Pigs 1-2 Grade (40-80 lbs.) - $1.00 - $1.15/lb. Feeder Pigs 2-3 Grade (40-80 lbs.) - $0.80 - $0.90/lb.
Seguin Cattle Company March 25, 2014
#1 Butchers - $0.65 - $0.70/lb. #2 Butchers - $0.55 - $ 0.60/lb. Sows - $0.40 - $0.59/lb. Feeder Pigs - $0.95 - $1.05/lb. Feeder Shoats - $0.75 - $0.85/lb.
Muleshoe Livestock Auction March 22, 2014
Top Hogs - $0.60 - $0.85/lb. Sows - $0.50 - $0.75/lb. Feeder Pigs - None reported