Preparations made for pig sale
By Donnie A. Lucas
The 36th annual First Impressions Invitational Pig Sale is set for this weekend at the county show barn, with 135 pigs from 16 consignors from seven states to be sold on Sunday.
Proceeds from the sale benefit the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association for capital improvements or to help fund the county stock show held in January.
The show starts at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, with a champion and reserve to be named for both barrows and gilts. The live-auction sale will follow at 1:00 p.m.
“We are working on having live bidding both online and in-person,” organizer Mike Parsons said. “And we are looking for up to 300 buyers or more this year.”
Pigs will be received and tagged on Saturday.
“Anyone who wants to get a preview or talk to the breeders is welcome to come up after 3:00 p.m.,” he said. “We will begin serving sausage wraps starting at 4:00 p.m.”
Parsons said a full concession stand will be open on Sunday for the show and auction.
“We are expecting this to be a little bigger show than last year,” he said. “There will more pigs, and prices are up, so that should bring in a little money to benefit the stock show association.”
Parsons said that the sale grossed a little over $75,000 last year, with about $4,000 going to the association.
Judging will be conducted by Nolan County Agent Zack Wilcox and Brad Bevel with Stamford FFA.
Breed champions will be awarded, along with picking overall grand champions and reserve champions.
The grand champion barrow will win $1,000, and $500 will be awarded to the reserve grand champion. Prize money will also be given for the grand and reserve gilts of $750 and $250 respectively.
Prize money and show ribbons for the show were donated by EZ Feed and Supply in Albany and Linders Feed in Comfort.
Local exhibitors are helping get the facility ready for the weekend, along with assisting at the sale and cleaning up afterwards.
Albany FFA sponsor Beard took ag classes to the show barn this week to set up the pens and clean.
For more information one the sale, contact Mike Parsons at 325-762-4018, Jearl Boyett at 254-433-3209, Molly Cauble at 325-762-2366 ext. 101, Reggie Spencer at 325-370-8990, or Cody Leech at 325-513-5536.
