Cooler weather makes for a pretty laid back 4-H Swine Show

[August 02, 2019]  On Wednesday the livestock show ring on the north end of the Logan County Fairgrounds was a great place for spectators. A large crowd gathered this year to see the 4-H swine Gilt and Barrow Shows.

The crowd had plenty of room to spread out this year as the normal 4-H Dairy Show that typically happens in half of the barn was cancelled.

In the swine arena there was a good number of participating animals, with a narrower offering of 4-H youth showing. Many of the kids were showing in multiple classes. So, it is not unthinkable that one 4-H member could take home the entire shooting match, and that is what happened on the gilt side of the show. Braden Olson won the Grand Champion Gilt as well as the Reserve Champion.

Once again this year the Don Crane traveling trophy was presented to the Grand Champion winner. On hand to present the trophy was Linda Crane and her grandson Aiden Crane. Braden had lots of support in the ring as several family members were there to watch and keep their fingers crossed for the win.

When it came time for the championship trophy to be presented, Braden shared the spotlight with his two brothers and his little sister. One brother held Braden’s banner, one held his plaque, and little sis held the big purple ribbon. Braden was happy to be left holding the giant trophy that was almost as big as him.

L to R, front: 2019 Little Miss Logan County Jolie Grisham, Braden’s brothers and sister and Aiden Crane. Back: 2019 Junior Miss Anna Kindred, Queen Skye Kretzinger, Swine Judge Hayden Wilder, Braden Olson and Linda Crane.

Braden was joined by the Logan County Royalty, his brothers and sister and the swine judge for the photo of his Reserve Champion Gilt.

The day was cool and the animals in the show ring responded accordingly, acting more laid back and happy to just be out of their smaller pins and able to roam around a bit.

The new royalty worked to fulfill their first official duties of the 2019 Logan County Fair, as they handed out blue ribbons to many an entrant.

Near the end of the show, retired Hartsburg-Emden FFA teacher and current member of the Heartland Beef Alliance made a special announcement. She said that the Alliance is going to partner with Nuthatch Hill BBQ to hold a fundraiser lunch to benefit Cody Conrady. The young man was severely injured in a farm related accident earlier this year. Around the community many groups and organizations have been holding fundraisers to help Cody and his family with the medical expenses involved in Conrady’s treatment and recovery.

Nuthatch Hill, owned by local BBQ aficionado Brad Luckhart is at the fair all this week near the livestock show barn, serving up hardy breakfast sandwiches and other tasty items. This is Luckhart’s second year of setting up for breakfast at the show barns. On Friday, look for the bright red tent on the south side of the show barn and be sure to make a purchase for Cody.

Wednesday was also watermelon day at the show barn. The Farm Credit Service Agency annually gives out free watermelon slices on the day of the 4-H swine shows. This year, while it wasn’t all that hot, the cold watermelon still appealed to many of the guests on the sidelines.

After the gilt show, there was a ten minute break then the barrow show began. As with the gilts, there were more animals than kids as each one showed multiple times. This time however, there was no winner-take all. The Grand Champion Barrow went to Claire Bobell. This is Claire’s second year in a row to win the Grand Champion designation.

As with the gilts, the Don Crane traveling trophy was presented by Linda Crane. For the Grand Champion photo, Claire was also joined by the Logan County Fair royalty. In addition to the Crane trophy, the Grand Champion plaque was sponsored by members of the Brett Conrady family. Those family members also joined in the photo.

The Reserve Grand Champion was not available for a photo.

Kaden Entwistle

Braden Olson

However, Braden Olson returned to the winners circle to pose for a picture with his fifth place barrow, as did Kaden Entwistle, who took third place.

During the show, there was a bit of a bustle as the announcer came over the loud speaker close to the end of the show and said that there had been a water main break as Casey’s General Store across the street from the fairgrounds. She said that because of this, all the water had been shut off at the fairgrounds.

She also announced that water for livestock was on its way and that handlers would be able to fill five-gallon buckets from the water tank for their animals. Atlanta Ag has a tank truck that they keep at the fairground much of the time fair week. It is used to wet down the track and other tasks. In no time at all, the truck was backing past the show barn and exhibitors were heading out to get those buckets of water. Again thankfully, it was not a searing hot day, so everyone appeared to be coping with the situation with hopes that the water company would work quickly.

[Nila Smith]