Champions named in Bartholomew County 4-H Fair barrow show

A 4-H competitor managed to both defy the odds and win over hearts during Tuesday’s Barrow Show at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair.

While Andi Hege has shown livestock, it was only during the non-competitive Lil’ Wranglers shows. Any child in kindergarten or older who are too young for 4-H is eligible to participate in Lil’ Wranglers to gain confidence and experience.

Upon reaching the age of 10, the daughter of Cody and Rikki Hege found herself a bonafide 4-H member competing against no less than 31 other exhibitors in the always competitive Duroc breed category. Most, if not all of the other exhibitors appeared to be older and more experienced in the show ring.

But from the moment Andi entered the ring, the Hope Elementary student kept her focus on maintaining control of her 279 pound pig while simultaneously looking out for unexpected behavior from other barrows. In addition, she was keeping track of what event judge Tyler Johnson of Greensburg was doing.

Andi said she didn’t give her pig any slack to take advantage of her small size.

“I wanted to make sure (the pig) knows I’m the boss,” she said.

In Class 8 competition, Johnson determined that Andi’s entry scored slightly higher than the pig exhibited by her brother, Brody, as well as two other competitors. Since this was the first time she has won a competition against Brody, who took home reserve grand champion barrow honors during last year’s fair, Andi said she felt extremely happy.

But it was after the winners of five different classes competed that the crowd of over 220 people in the 4-H Pavilion erupted in cheers and applause after Andi’s Duroc was name a champion.

Since last winter, walking the pig at least 10 minutes a day has been just one of her responsibilities, Andi said.

“I wash him. I mix the feed. I clean our the pens,” she said. “It’s hard work.

However, her brother Brody Hege did ultimately win the day, by exhibiting the grand champion barrow in Tuesday’s competition, and the grand champion gilt, along with the grand champion born and raised gilt in the competition.

Reserve grand champion barrow was exhibited by Laynie Greene, and the reserve grand champion gilt was exhibited by Ellie Burbrink.

Greene exhibited the grand champion county born and raised barrow, with Jacob Burbrink exhibiting the reserve grand champion in that category.

The grand champion swine market litter was exhibited by the Wiwi family and Wallace family and the reserve exhibited by the Shoaf family and Shipp family.

Another winner during Tuesday’s show was Drew Price, 12, who came out on top against four others in his class with a 267 lb. Hampshire. The victory came one day after the White Creek Lutheran student took home similar honors during the 4-H Gilt show.

Drew’s assessment regarding the responsibilities of taking care of a pig every day is similar to what Andi expressed.

“4-H is fun, but they will make you work,” Drew said.

As she oversaw the Barrow show, 4-H educator and Purdue Extension director Elisabeth Eaton noted the number of competing barrows and gilts is up slightly from last year.

“Sheep and cattle numbers are also up, while goat numbers are down just a little bit.” Eaton said.

While not everybody can raise a grand champion, 4-H leaders like Eaton say exhibiting livestock is always a learning experience.

Now in his second year of showing pigs, Levi Tobias said he’s learned to increase protein in the feed for his Berkshire because his pigs were too small last year. The Columbus North High School student also said he’s also learned how to lead his animals better, as well as improve his showmanship.

But the 14-year-old said he’s also come to the realization that mood and environment will have an impact on his stress levels, as well as those of the animals.

“I don’t worry too much about what (the animal) will do,” Levi said. “Whenever I’m walking around with them and they take off, it is what it is.”