Some were too early, others were a bit late, but they are all modern pigs deserving of blue ribbons, said Dr. Brent Buckley. Buckley was the judge for the 4-H Market Hog competition which opened along with the Kaua‘i County
Some were too early, others were a bit late, but they are all modern pigs deserving of blue ribbons, said Dr. Brent Buckley.
Buckley was the judge for the 4-H Market Hog competition which opened along with the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair, Thursday night.
Jade Nakamoto, a Kapa‘a Middle School student, topped the Market Gilt competition over Cassie Kawamura, and followed that by edging out the top finisher of the Market Barrow competition to earn Grand Champion status.
Reserve Champion, or runner-up, honors went to the winner of the Market Barrow competition, Kira Blackstad-Pimental with her 249-pound barrow.
“This is typical of a modern pig,” Buckley said in describing the barrow. “It is lean and has good muscle definition.”
Blackstad-Pimental also topped the Junior Showmanship competition, edging out Hallie Cristobal.
Showmanship involved the handler’s ability to handle an animal and Cristobal made it a point to make eye contact with Buckley while managing her animal to stay out of traffic.
Buckley said the field of seven Junior Showmanship competitors were very effective in handling their animals because the pigs didn’t bite.
“The fact that they don’t bite is a show of how effective these kids are because pigs love to bite,” Buckley said.
In the Senior Showmanship arena, Cassie Kawamura, a strong contender for Reserve Champion honors, edged out Brittney Brun for the top rosette, said Buckley, noting that Brun’s hog was clearly not cooperative in the showmanship arena.
In the Market Gilt arena, Kawamura followed Nakamoto in the runner-up position followed by Hallie Cristobal, Chad Andrade and Brun.
Blackstad-Pimental topped the Market Barrow arena followed by Megan Souza, Ross Brun and Brianna Kaneshiro.
Competition for the 4-H Market Steers and 4-H Market Lambs took place Friday evening and the Livestock competition wraps up Saturday with the auction.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
