Pig validations planned Nov. 13-14

Stock show swine projects need to validated next week, and the Shackelford County validation committee, which includes ag instructor Chris Beard, county extension agent Michaela Bradford, and two local representatives from the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association will be at the Albany High School ag farm on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, Nov. 13 and 14, and will work as a mobile unit, traveling across the county on the afternoons of Tuesday, Nov. 13 and Wednesday, Nov. 14.

“We pull hair samples for DNA testing from the pigs, record all of their ear notches, and tag the pigs,” said Beard. “The kids and parents need to sign all of the validation forms, hair cards, and the ethics forms. If pig owners can’t be home on both of those days, they need to contact me.” 

Beard explained that they intend to work across the county, from site to site, and can not predict exactly which of the two days, or at what time of the afternoon they will arrive at any particular set of pens.

“It works a lot better this way, going to where the pigs are housed, than trying to move the pigs to one central location,” said Beard.

Stock Show Entries

Beard also reminded stock show exhibitors that Fort Worth entries should have already been turned in.

“They were due on Monday, Nov. 5,” Beard said.

Entries for all other stock shows need to be turned in by Monday, Nov. 12. 

“We need to get it all done, because the following week is Thanksgiving,” Beard said.

Big Country LDEs

Eight teams of Albany FFA students will compete in the Big Country District LDE contest on Monday, Nov. 12.

The contest will be held at Cisco College.