Again this year, youth wanting to exhibit hogs at the Adams County Fair will need to complete an identification form for each of their market hogs and attach at least two color photos, one of each side of the hog. Exhibitors and their families will also be expected to tag their hogs with official Adams County Fair ear tags provided through OSU Extension Adams County. The tag must be shown in one of the color photos, and the tag number must be clearly written on the form. Any ear notches must also be recorded on the form.
This procedure was started in 2014 because of concerns about the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv). The system worked well, and it has been kept in place by the Adams County Senior Fair Board as a “best practice” due to the many biosecurity concerns associated with swine production.
The 2018 possession deadline for market hogs is April 16. The form will ask exhibitors for information regarding when and where they purchased their animal or for the date of birth if the hog is farm bred and raised.
Forms and official Adams County Fair ear tags may be picked up at the Adams County Extension Office during regular business hours beginning Monday, March 5. An advisor, friend, or parent may pick up forms and tags. Exhibitors do not have to pick them up themselves. Taggers may be borrowed from Junior Fair Board, at the Extension Office, on a first come, first served basis. Borrowed taggers must be returned within 48 hours and should be sanitized both before and after use. Tags should be placed in the animal’s left ear, unless there is a special circumstance, which should be noted on the form.
Completed forms, with all required photos and documentation, will be due back to the Extension Office by 4:00 pm on Monday, April 16. No late forms will be accepted. Failure to tag their hogs and submit a completed form, with all required photos and documentation, by the deadline will mean that the member is not eligible to exhibit market hogs at the 2018 Fair.
No pre-fair weights will be collected on market hogs, since there will not be a centralized tagging and weigh-in. Therefore, there will not be a Market Hog Production Champion in 2018. Only skillathon, show ring, and showmanship placings will be used when calculating Outstanding Market Exhibitor scores for hog exhibitors this year.
Questions or concerns about the Market Hog Identification System for 2018 may be addressed to Kristy Watters at OSU Extension Adams County (937.544.2339 or via email at watters.92@osu.edu) or to any of the Senior Fair Board Swine Committee members: Eric McCann, Chair, Jason Hupp, or Jason Hesler.