The Development of the Tennessee 4-H and FFA Junior Market Hog Program and a study of the West Tennessee Show and Sale for 1979, 1983, and 1985

This study was concerned with the development of the Tennessee 4-H and FFA Junior Market Hog Show and Sale, and to analyze selected production data from the Trenton (West Tennessee) show and sale for 1979, 1983, and T985. The 4-H Swine Program in Tennessee dates back to 1917. The Extension Service and a local bank in Madison County developed a pig club in which young boys participated. In 1979 the Best Overall Exhibitor Program came into being to recognize total production performance of market swine over a given feeding period. Currently four area shows are held each spring and one state show in the fall. As many as 2,000 hogs have been exhibited yearly. The largest number of participants was in 1983. Starting weight and number of days on test remained the same except in 1985 when the pigs were 16 pounds heavier and on feed for five fewer days. Average daily gain was approximately 1.5 pounds per head per day for all three years. However, average daily gain differed significantly (P<.05) among the three sources of pigs with sale purchased and home grown pigs being superior to farm purchased pigs. From 1979 to 1985 the numbers of hogs grading gold (US No. 1) has increased steadily. Consequently, those hogs grading blue (US No. 2) and red (US No. 3) has decreased. These data clearly indicate that better hogs are being selected for show and that 4-H and FFA members are following recommended practices to achieve greater swine production goals.