Rachel Lucio, 13, accomplished something of a rarity. The 4-H Reserve Champion pig that she raised was her first entry at the Fair. It’s not often that first timers win such an award. Rachel’s surprise is an understatement. Her pig weighed in at 256 pounds. At the auction, Rachel’s pig fetched $5.75 a pound. Her plans for the money? First, payback mom for money advanced and save the rest for culinary school. Rachel aspires to be a pastry chef.

Aaron Largen Fillmore FFA- FFA Grand Champion Market Steer and Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer.

Autumn Inglis Santa Clara Valley Grange, PIru- Grand Champion Turkey and Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat shown.

Gabriel Cueva and Pork Butt, Santa Clara Valley Grange won Grange Champion Bred & Fed swine.

The Big Wheel & Fireworks.

Racing Pigs jump hurdle.

The Turkey Stampede.

Stampeding turkeys.

Rachel Lucio and her piggie.

Gabriel Cueva and Pork Butt.

Aaron Largen & Jack.

Macie Wokal & Juliette.

Aaron Largen & Jack.

Macie Wokal & Juliette.

Autumn Inglis outside with goat.

Autumn Inglis and friend.

Kiana Hope helps Aaron prep Jack.

Speedy piggies.

The Big Wheel & more Fireworks.

Story and Photos by Bob Crum

Though the tasks may on first blush seem daunting... not one youngster expressed any regrets or complained one iota. Refreshing!

The chores... those persistent chores. Yet their optimism is as bright as the rising sun in the morning with which the youngsters also rise... to attend to the animal of choice they decided to raise from infancy.
As anyone who happens to be the provider of the family dog knows... the animal's existence is dependent of daily feedings. And then there are the morning... and/or evening walks... and sometimes frequent baths depending on any given animal's activities.

The family poodle may be the perfect excuse to get some valuable exercise (a lively stroll) that may not be obtained otherwise. However, the 4-H'ers and FFA'ers (Future Farmers of America) don't raise farm animals for exercise. Nosireebob... most of their motivation is the Junior Livestock Auction held annually at the Ventura County Fair. Oh... and of course... there's that one little extra thing that puts a sparkle in their eyes and a big smile on their face and that's the... ahem... auction proceeds.

But first... there's the judging... which is a phenomenon beyond comprehension. Look at the many steers tethered in their respective stalls and from this perspective... they all look magnificent. Same for over 200 swine, many goats, etc. all spiffy and dapper. What is that one quality that determines a Grand Champion, or Reserve Grand Champion? What experience or training enables an animal judge to discern that special quality? Perhaps might as well ask why we can't see gravity.

However the judging happens... there's no mistaking that ribbon winners command auction proceeds that often defy understanding. But it's not about bidding 'fair market' value for any particular animal. Most often... many companies... and family's... budget financial resources all year expressly for the purpose of bidding far, far more than mere 'market value' at the junior livestock auction. All are fully aware that those monies are not just buying meat for the freezer... for the most part... they are enhancing a youngster's college fund. (Many animals bought at auction are gifted to Food Share or the charity of the buyer's choice.)

As you discover what amount of money some of the youngsters received for their respective animals... it must be remembered... as with any business... there are expenses that accompany the project. First, the purchase of the animal to raise. And depending on the animal, feed costs can be substantial. And if needed, veterinary services. It's only the “net” proceeds that can be applied to the college fund... or savings account or considered spendable money.

And now... the 2009 Fillmore/Piru “ribbon” winners at the Ventura County Fair are: Rachel Lucio, Sespe 4-H, Fillmore, 4-H Reserve Champion swine, Gabriel Cueva, Santa Clara Valley Grange, Grange Champion/Bred & Fed Swine; Macie Wokal, Sespe 4-H, Fillmore; Grand Champion Replacement Heifer; Aaron Largen, Fillmore FFA, FFA Grand Champion Market Steer, Reserve Grand Champion market steer; Autumn Inglis, Santa Clara Valley Grange, Piru; Grand Champion Turkey, Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat.

Rachel Lucio, 13 years of age, accomplished something of a rarity. The 4-H Reserve Champion pig that she raised was her first entry at the Fair. It's not often that first timers win such an award. Rachel's surprise is an understatement.

Why raise a pig in the first place? “Because I don't relate to other animals... I like barn animals better.” Regarding her experience, Rachel said “she (the pig) was a lot of fun... easier to raise than I expected.” However, before anyone thinks raising a pig is a cake walk... rethink. For instance... as Rachel explained... her pig was often very stubborn... only doing what it wanted to do. Furthermore... pigs can get a little... um... piggy. As in eat too much. Weigh-ins were every Monday Rachel said. Her pig weighed in at 256 pounds. That's a good weight. Over 280 pounds - which is easy for a 'piggy' pig to attain - is overweight, and less desirable in the auction ring Rachel explained. Thus, at a certain weight, nutrition has to be carefully calculated and administered. And what do you suppose that her pig likes very much? Cake mix! Perhaps Rachel was right... raising her pig was easy... a cake walk... so to speak. And as might be expected... Rachel plans to raise another pig next year.

At the auction, Rachel's pig fetched $5.75 a pound. Her plans for the money? First, payback mom for money advanced and... save the rest for culinary school. Rachel aspires to be a pastry chef.

Gabriel Cueva's Grange Champion/Bred & Fed 236 pound pig winning bid was $5.00 per pound. And now... from the looks of things... winning the first time entering is less of a rarity. In his own words, “I was thinking that I'd probably get, like, one of the last places being my first year but winning champion was a big surprise.”
Why raise a pig? “Because”, Gabriel explained, I thought it'd be a good experience and that it'd be fun and it was.” Why not a steer? “Because I know people that raised pigs and that it'd be easier because they could walk me through it... help me. I don't know anybody that raises other animals.”

In the early stages... Gabriel's little pig – named Pork Butt – needed to gain weight so he simply free-fed it... allowed it to eat as much as it wanted. And as the poundage increased... he then had to introduce oats into the diet. As Gabriel explained, “the oats fill them up so they don't eat as much. It appears that the weight issue is bigger then the pigs themselves.

What surprised Gabriel about his project? “Well,” said Gabriel, “they don't really make that 'oink' noise... they scream. (Note: reason #1 best not to live next to a pig farm!) And they don't really run from from people... but like dogs... they come to you and like to be petted.” And the only other surprise Gabriel mentioned was a stinky back yard. (Reason #2.) Next year... yep... Gabriel is planning to raise another pig and stink up the back yard again. With the intention of winning Grand Champion next. Nothing less... of course! As for this year's auction proceeds... Gabriel would only say that he's working on what to do with it.

Aaron Largen is on a roll. Last year his first entry in the Fair won him Grand Champion Market Steer. This year he wins FFA Grand Champion and overall Reserve Grand Champion. Who wouldn't like to know his secret? Any surprises for Aaron? “Yes,” said Aaron, winning Reserve Grand Champion because I didn't think I could do it again.” So much for rarities. However, it is nonetheless a remarkable feat considering... as Aaron commented... there are a lot of nice market steers this year. As for that particular quality that makes a particular steer a champion, Aaron agrees with this writer, saying, “I can't really tell them apart.”

Perhaps the one trait of Jack – the steer – that set him apart from the herd... so to speak... is that he frequently acted like a dog... following Aaron around in the pasture. That's it! To get the judge's attention, Jack barked – instead of mooed – at the judge. What a nifty ploy! Well, so much for secrets.

The winning bid for Aaron's 1,297 pound Reserve Grand Champion market steer was $7.50 per pound (you do the math)... less expenses. And his intentions for the proceeds? College fund. Aaron also aspires to become a veterinarian. Wonder how many veterinarians come from the 4-H and FFA programs? Seems like a lot.

With her third entry in the Fair... Macie Wokal's 1,343 pound Replacement Heifer won Grand Champion. Last year her Replacement Heifer won 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Replacement Heifer. There isn't room here to discuss it but it appears a sure bet that there's an underlying theme to these amazing feats of back-to-back winners. Could it be that these kids have discovered how to teach these pasture behemoths to bark like a dog?

Macie's heifer is named Julliette. Ask why. Because the steer her sister raised is named... guess what? Right... Romeo. Surprise! What about next year? “May not raise one next year,” said Macie. So... you're going to retire, I said. “No,” Macie quickly said adding... “my mom wants to take a year off.” (Later, Macie's mother, Aileen, said we were thinking about taking a year off because not only have we been doing this for fifteen years with Macie's older siblings but also waiting to see what the auction brings. Asked if it was expensive to raise such an animal her reply: very expensive! After hearing of the winning bid, $4,200, she's more optimistic that Macie might get to raise another heifer.)

As for the not-too-far-into-the-future plans, Macie's intention is to put profits into her college fund. Though she initially thought of becoming a veterinarian (surprise) from a very early age – like about eight – but now she's leaning towards becoming an ag (agriculture) teacher.

And big congratulations to petite, 9-year-old Autumn Inglis who won two ribbons – one for a Grand Champion Turkey and a ribbon for a Reserve Grand Champion Market goat. Sorry Butterball... but Autumn's turkey has your goat and her champion goat is no turkey!

While most young folks feel that they have enough to deal with raising one animal, the mighty Autumn takes on two. Naturally, one wonders how raising two animals went. “It was easy,” quipped Autumn. How easy pray tell. “Very easy” was the immediate response. Obviously some have talents that are not readily apparent. But... later she did admit that it was easier to raise the goat than the turkey... the turkey frequently hid... the goat didn't. A new factoid.

And what about next year? “Raise another goat,” said Autumn. And a turkey? “At first she said maybe... later said NO! OK... why not a turkey, a goat and a heifer everyone would like to know? “Talk to my mom about that”, said Autumn. In the auction, her Grand Champion turkey brought $600 and her 109 pound goat $10 per pound for a total of $1,690. And the money? For now... stash it in a savings account said Autumn.

As in all competitions... there are the select few that win ribbons for whatever factors the judges deem significant. However, it must be said that every boy and girl that raises a farm animal is deserving of an award. If for nothing else... their dedication and commitment to raising and caring for the animal of their choice.

Lastly, kudos and three cheers to all the parents, teachers and 4H leaders. Without them... there simply is no learning experience for the youngsters. However, through their efforts and dedication they get the pleasure of witnessing the maturing of young people who subsequently become responsible, outstanding citizens of their community.

The Fillmore Gazette staff applauds every boy and girl who undertook raising a farm animal for market. You all do your community very proud.