DENVER, Colo. Ñ It is an eight hour trip from New Mexico to Denver, Colorado, but for two youngsters a chance to show their pigs at the National Western Stock Show is an event they look forward to each year.
Tye and Kallye Martin are among hundreds of competitors between the ages of nine and 19 at Denver showing their animals. They all hope to qualify for the auction of junior livestock champions, where top sales can soar up to $100,000 US.
Kallye, 11, and Tye, 16, show Duroc pigs at four major events each year.
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It means missing school for the two straight A students, but both enjoy showing so much they don’t mind going on the road.
When asked if he likes pigs, Tye enthusiastically replies, “Oh yes. I’ve been around them a long time.”
With money he has earned from his hogs, the Grade 10 student hopes to study mathematics, science or computer technology in university.
The Denver stock show is the end of the road for their show pigs this year. They won a blue first place ribbon for a Duroc gilt. They are members of Future Farmers of America, a program that teaches farm business management, leadership, judging, livestock showmanship and public speaking for children across the country.
Through the program, the Martins are learning to excel at shows where crossbred hogs, Hampshires, Durocs, Yorkshires and Chesters appear.
Tye is wheelchair bound but is able to help with feeding and grooming, while his sister uses the show ring techniques she learned from her father, Dwight and grandfather, George.
They show at the local, county and state fairs and the national show in Denver. This year Kallye had the grand champion Duroc at the county fair.
They bought eight Durocs weaner pigs last October and the two have to look after the pigs and do their own work for the show ring.
During their four day run at the show, their mother Abbey, who is also a teacher, makes them bring homework so they can maintain their A averages.
This year, as soon as the swine shows were over, Kallye had to race home to the district spelling bee in her home state of New Mexico.
Tye also shows rabbits and Kallye has shown sheep.
Showing can be stressful, whether Tye is sitting on the sidelines cheering or Kallye works in the ring, guiding a willful pig through its paces before the judges. They are stoic about what happens in the ring.
“Each judge has his own ideas,” said Tye.
The trend is toward long, lean bodies and the youthful handlers can expect to be questioned about their hogs.
Back on their farm, they raise their pigs indoors to prevent sunburn in the heat of New Mexico.
“We try to keep them as stable as possible. They seem to grow better in the barn,” Tye said.