Winter is almost behind us and for those Berkshire breeders that go showing, the thud of show schedules dropping through the letterbox is a welcome sound. Making sure of a good turn out, Hatfield Show must take the first prize for enthusiastically rounding up the showers, with an early delivery for this, now well-established, August event.

As usual, the details of the shows and entry dates are included so those key entry dates are not missed.

Although this edition of the Breeder's Club Magazine doesn't have the AGM report in full, one point was very well made at the meeting. For those members that show their pigs, how to do it is second nature but for those that don't, but might, there is no reference point as to what to do.

In an attempt to fill some of the void, the following gives some hints and tips about what to do.

Choosing a Show
The first thing to do is to choose a show. You can either, break yourself in gently and try a small one day event, or you can go for broke and dive in at the deep end and go for one of the bigger shows.

Details of the major shows and those shows with Berkshire classes are provided in this edition (by kind permission of the BPA http://www.britishpigs.org.ukA but there are many more shows around the UK with PIG show classes. Most of these do not have individual breed classes but have all breeds competing against one another. Here classes are segregated by age of pig rather than breed as well. Usually older boar classes are not available at the smaller shows. This is mainly for safety as boys will be boys and temporary hurdles are no barrier to an amorous boar out on the town.

If the thought of a breed class for your first time is too daunting, then look in your local press for details of the local shows. Often you can enter on the day here as well. You should get a schedule from the contact given and see what classes are available.

A good web site with all the latest on shows in the UK can be found at:
 http://www.asao.co.uk/dates.asp.

Remember don't be shy, we all had to start somewhere and if you think you have a nice pig, have a go, its fun (or was that stressful????) and the piggy people are a friendly lot. If you need help there is never a shortage of people willing to give it and you needn't be nervous of making a mess first time out, you will be fine and we have all been there believe me...
 

What do you need??

Your Pig
Once you have decided on a show and have the schedule check carefully that you pig qualifies for one of the classes available. Most will go by the pig's age. For example a January 2006 class is for a pig born any time after 1st January 2006. If you have a pig born on 14th February 2006, then that it the class it should be entered into but if you have a pig born in December 2005, it would have to be entered into the class for pigs born after 1st July 2005.

Your pig show be bathed and oiled to bring out the colour of its coat. An animal shampoo is best, as is Pig Oil for the shine, but baby oil will do (vegetable cooking oil has been used but you may smell like a chip shop!). You should make sure that you pig has no mange or lice infestation.
You will need to read the rules of entry carefully, especially for older sows (and at the big shows, boars), as there is generally a requirement for the sow to have produced a live litter within a specified time prior to the show. Boars over a certain age must have fathered and have registered a number of litters.

Transport & Two Movement Licences
You will need transport that meets the Animal Welfare regulations a movement licence to the show and a movement licence to go home again. Remember that even if you are only out for a day, coming home will trigger a 20 day farm standstill unless you have approved DEFRA isolation facilities and have complied with the show isolation rules (see DEFRA Website http://www.defra.gov.uk/).

Equipment
You will need to feed and water you pig, so take enough food for the time you are away. Water will be available on site but you may have to carry it some distance, so a bucket is essential.
Straw is usually provided, but at smaller shows spare baler twine for tying up hurdles is always handy.

You will need to look the part so a white showing coat is the minimum dress code. A collar and tie should be worn at the major shows.

You will need a pig board and stick. The board must be substantial enough to put between two pigs that might fancy a fight, so flimsy plywood is not recommended.

As for you, the handler, it is important for safety to know how to handle your pig. Like most animals, they may be little angels at home but get them in a strange environment and the monster appears from nowhere. Many shows may well ask for a 'competence certificate' in the future as the 'compensation culture' creeps up on even Pig Showing. The BPA is organising courses, which will include handling.

Still Unsure?
Then why not visit one of the shows and see the breeders that are there. They will happily spend time helping you understand the ropes. Its not an exclusive club, anyone can have that special little pig and unless you have a go you will never know, believe me once you have, you will be hooked.