4-H/FFA Production Barrow weigh-in set

The Washington County Fair Swine Committee will again offer a production barrow division for the 2015 Washington County Fair. Participation in the production barrow division is optional for all exhibitors. Those wanting to participate must contact the Extension Office by March 19 for their exact weigh-in time.

Production Barrow Division Guidelines for 2015 Washington County Fair:

A) Exhibitors may nominate a maximum of six barrows at the production weigh-in on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at the Washington County Fairgrounds from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Pigs entered in the production division must be weighed/tagged by committee during the Saturday weigh-in. Contact the Extension Office for your weigh-in time.

B) No barrows over 45 pounds at weigh-in will be accepted. Pigs must be ear-notched and castrated prior to weigh-in (no exceptions).

C) The swine committee will strictly enforce the market-weight range of 220-300 pounds for all market swine entries; exception is that production barrows will be allowed to surpass the 300-pound maximum and still be eligible for class entry and show due to the rate-of-gain feature in production divisions.

D) Those participating in swine weigh-in on March 21 are reminded to clean and disinfect transport vehicles. Bring two 4-H?ers/family members to assist in handling pigs. Isolate weigh-in pigs seven days before and after for close observation. Watch for and report any signs of illness to the swine volunteers at the weigh-in beforehand. Use sterile boots and gloves.

All State Fair swine identification will happen at the county level. Information will be sent to swine families regarding DNA collection tags the end of March.

For more information about the county fair derby weigh-in or the Washington County Fair, contact the Washington County Extension Office, 319-653-4811.