Livestock shows kicked off at the Henderson County Fair Tuesday morning with the junior and 4-H swine show. Tyler Wellman of Wellman Livestock in Iowa was the judge of the 2024 show. He says the showmen in Henderson County surprised him with the overall depth of the animals showcased.
“I don’t think there was just one or two animals that were easily the winners you had to get down to certain just little things that may differences between the animals. Why one goes first one goes second, but the overall depth of the quality was good compared to many fairs.”
He adds that build and functionality helped place the champion gilt and barrow over the others in the show, adding they “have the extras that the show ring is looking for in everything that you know the criteria that you know we want in the show ring. Those pigs excelled to a high degree.”
The Grand Champion of the Gilt show belongs to Rachel Leary.
“It’s very hard to focus on what the judge is saying when you’re so intent on making sure he sees you,” says Rachel. “I do know that with my guilt, he had mentioned that one of her weaker points was her hip, and how she looks coming at you from behind, and her drive to get very athletic is not very good. But I still appreciated him picking me because she just has so many good points, I’m glad that he saw him.”
In the Barrow show, Rose Leary took home the Grand Champion title. Both Rachel and Rose will be representing Henderson County in the Western Illinois Throwdown in August. Rose shares that in the next week, the two will continue to work with their animals as they prepare for the Throwdown.
“Work harder, train them, make sure they’re still looking good and fresh and yet making sure their stamina is still built up.”
Results from the swine show:
Rachel Leary: Grand Champion Gilt, Champion Crossbred Gilt, Champion Purebred Barrow, Reserve Champion Crossbred Barrow, Reserve Grand Champion Barrow
Rose Leary: Reserve Champion Purebred Gilt, Reserve Champion Purebred Barrow, Champion Crossbred Barrow, Grand Champion Barrow
Jolie Johnson: Champion Purebred Gilt, Reserve Champion Pair of Gilts, Reserve Grand Champion Gilt
Keaton Rubbish: Reserve Champion Crossbred Gilt
Laney McGlaughlin: Champion Pair of Gilts, Champion Pair of Barrows
Wyatt Michael: Reserve Champion Pair of Barrows
Hear from Rachel and Rose Leary:
Hear from Tyler Wellman:
