Fine Swine : Pampered Pigs Compete for Top Fair Honors

Adoring children scratched her hairy back and rubbed her chubby jowls, but all Peaches the pig seemed to want was to chow down on an alluring tidbit outside her holding pen and then take a nice long nap.

In his shady pen, Pumba the pig nuzzled three young girls, who nuzzled him back. Snout up, mouth open, Pumba smiled.

Like the swine around them, Pumba and Peaches were two happy pigs.

“They’re really affectionate,” said Pumba’s owner, 13-year-old Melissa Givner of Ojai. “When he goes to sleep, he likes to be rubbed by his eye.”

Such is the life of a Ventura County Fair swine. Pampered and prodded all day long by energetic youngsters whose primary mission is to fatten their bellies for market, fair pigs are a jolly lot.

After a morning strutting around the junior division swine arena Wednesday, most pigs nodded off in deep, soft beds of wood shavings, comfortably unaware of the final fate before them.

On Friday, the pigs will be sold at auction, the majority for slaughter.

“These are market animals,” said Linda Gross of Santa Paula, whose sons brought pigs to this year’s fair. “That is what they are here for. I try to [see] it in a very non-emotional matter-of-fact level.”

Leaders of 4-H clubs around the county say that is one of many lessons youngsters learn about raising livestock for auction. While they cannot help but get attached to the barnyard creatures, youths have to remember that agriculture is a business.

“It might be your ham someday,” swine judge Mike Lewis said. “The end result is the consumer.”

Or, as swine project leader Richard Diaz of Fillmore tells his 4-H kids: “You’re raising this thing for the table.”

Raising a pig is no easy task. For an intense three-month period, 4-Hers carefully monitor the weight of their swine, planning detailed diets so that the pigs weigh in between 200 and 250 pounds.

The fair-skinned beauties sunburn easily, too, so their owners must lather them in sunscreen.

“A lot of people don’t realize the amount of work that goes into it,” said Diaz’s daughter, Julia, 13. “It’s a lot of responsibility.”

The youths’ hard work culminated Wednesday during the market judging. Amid grunts and snorts, they steered pink pigs around the arena with wood canes for Lewis’ evaluation.

The animals were being judged for their leanness and muscle. On Saturday, the handlers will be evaluated for their showmanship.

“A really great class of lightweight pigs!” the announcer said as the audience applauded vigorously.

Moments later, Lewis awarded a blue ribbon to 9-year-old Phillip Diaz, whose 5-month-old, 220-pound Yorkshire hog named Tomasina was crowned 4-H grand champion.

“It’s a good pig, a good lean pig,” said Richard Diaz, Phillip’s father. Tomasina was Phillip’s first hog, and his family was elated. “We’ve never made it this far before.”

Seated in the bleachers, Gross nodded approvingly. “They work hard to get here,” she said. “These are city kids that get to learn about farm animals.”

Her sons, 17-year-old Ryan and 15-year-old Dustin, each brought pigs to the fair. The boys’ heavyweight hogs, 235-pound Lucky and 245-pound Barbecue, have been a handful to rear.

“Any time there is a mud puddle, those pigs are going to head for it,” Gross said. “They are real smart. When they start getting big, you learn to respect them.”

Gross’ 9-year-old granddaughter, Joelene Angulo, brought a pig to the fair this year, too--Peaches.

Come Sunday, the family will have to say goodby to Lucky, Barbecue and Peaches. It is a sad fact, but a reality that every 4-Her is keenly aware of.

“I feel sorry for the pigs,” said 14-year-old Melissa Ritchey of Fillmore. But, she hastened to add, at least the pigs’ short existence has been a comfortable one. “Why not let them have a good life while they’re here?”

* FAIR SCHEDULE: B2