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Kylie McKenzie McIntosh
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ylie McKenzie McIntosh, Junior at Boerne High School, has a passion for working with her pigs. TPPA staff got the pleasure to know Kylie during the Pork Leadership Camp where her bright smile and infectious personality was a delight each and every day. Whether it be in the show ring or on the farm, she loves staying involved. Kylie, along with her parents Charlie and Dawn Vogt, and siblings Clint, Cody, Claudia, and Lillie, have been raising pigs for eighteen years. They operate a fifteen sow herd, raising Durocs, Polands, Berks, Landraces, and Crossbreds. Kylie’s show career began with a cross gilt named “Carmen”, that later became her first sow. Kylie credited “Carmen” for sparking her interest in showing swine. Although Kylie focuses the majority of her time on her pigs, she does enjoy judging Wool and Mohair, along with Plant ID and Range thru 4-H and FFA. She also enjoys participating in Swine Skill-a-thon as another way to expand her knowledge of the swine industry. Tell us about your first showing experience: My first time showing was one of the best days of my life. I was the little girl in the cute pink shirt with the “Grand Champion purple” ribbon tied in her hair. I stayed in my pig’s pen the entire day until it was time to show. When it was time to go into the ring I was so nervous, but I soon realized it wasn’t so bad. Although I did not place high, I was excited that I got a ribbon. Soon after, I was told that I would have to part with “Carmen” since it was a terminal show and the auction was the following day. Although I was told she would be going onto greener pastures, I was still devastated and cried all night long. But luck would have it, my Mimi bought her back and we were able bring “Carmen” home to become my first sow.
What is your favorite show and why? My favorite would have to be San Antonio, because of the amazing times I’ve spent there with my family and friends. This is the time where I get to catch up with all of my stock show friends that live so far away. San Antonio has a great atmosphere with so many friendly people; I look forward to it every year! What has been your most memorable experience? This would have to be the time I won a highly competitive class at San Antonio with my Poland gilt “Fat Tina”. This was special because Ol’ “Fat Tina” was a gilt that I had raised myself, we may have not been Champion Poland that day, but in my heart she was the best. When we hit that ring in San Antonio, we worked our butts off showing, so well that the judge took notice and told me that I was one of the best showmen he had seen all day. We did not win the breed, but we were right there and I still felt that it was successful. What do you love most about showing pigs? Showmanship! My mom has always drilled me from the get go saying: “It’s not just about the pig, it’s about you and how well you work with that pig!” Showmanship makes it possible to show off how much you’ve worked with your hog and the amount of care you’ve put into raising your hog. And it’s been well worth the time, as I have won many showmanship awards over the years.