| Guest Editorial... "Walking with the
Judge" by Galen McCune
Our
guest swine judge is Galen McCune, owner-manager of Great Plains Genetics,
Inc., a small stud that specializes in selling semen for show pig production.
Galen grew
up on a small family farm near Helena, OK, where ironically his family was
involved with Polled Hereford cattle. He attended Oklahoma State University
where he received a BS in Ag. Education. After graduation, Galen taught Ag-Ed
for 12 years in Buffalo and Waynoka, OK. During this time, his interest grew in
the swine industry through the many relationships built with breeder and
industry leaders. In 1992, the decision was made to leave the teaching
profession and follow his passion, breeding high quality livestock and judging
livestock shows. Galen and his wife JoAnn have 5 daughters who have been
involved showing pigs with great success. Judging shows across the country and
the relationships made with youth and breeders is priceless to he and his
family.
Judging
livestock shows, especially junior shows, are one of those things that really
gets my adrenaline pumping! The feeling you get when that "Great One" sticks his
head through the gate for the first time is a true rush for me.
Somewhere in rural America an unsuspecting young showmen drives his/her
barrow through the gate for the first time at the county fair. After close
evaluation, I try to find that inevitable flaw (knowing there's not a
perfect one). I'm marveling at how he commands my attention with his
dominating ring presence. I instruct the young showman to pin their pig in
the first hole for later evaluation. At this point, I have to ask myself
if this young showman realizes just how good I think his/her pig actually
is? Do they know that all their hard work feeding, grooming and exercising
is about to pay off...or, will I find another that hits me harder?
As I
start to place the remainder of the class, I find myself glancing a the
first pen repeatedly to get another look. (FOCUS...you have to give every
exhibitor a fair and honest evaluation.) I pen four more extremely nice
hogs in pens two through five, thinking one of them just might be able to
turn THE ONE. Now it's time to place the remainder of the class starting
at the bottom and working towards the top. This sometimes requires more
time than some spectators think, but every exhibitor deserves a fair
evaluation of their animal. (Besides, I still have to evaluate several
more classes and I can't let the crowd know I may have found THE ONE.) As
I work toward the top five, I try to find pigs that are consistent with
the top end.
Finally they are all penned, now to the task of finding out if he's REALLY
as good as I think! Do I turn them out one a t a time or all at once? If I
start at the first pen turning them out, they will know I've found HIM.
If I start at five and work up I can carefully evaluate each to see if one
might beat HIM. If I turn them all out together, the crowd might not know
IT'S OVER. As I take a quick stroll along the pens to reassure myself of
the final placings of sixth down, it comes to me! Leave him in the pen!
Don't turn him out! After all it's a SHOW, and I AM the judge! You ARE
sure he's THE ONE...aren't you?
Now
this may be a fictional story, but I'll assure you it happens to me
almost every time I step into the show ring. The feelings and emotions
experienced while judging are nothing short of ecstasy for me. Not only do
I get to see great livestock, I get to meet the finest young people in the
world. Hopefully, I will have a positive influence on them and they will
feel some of the same emotions I feel. As you prepare for the fair season,
remember to play fair, have fun, and above all...FEEL THE RUSH! Good Luck!
Galen McCune
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