"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. He also serves as an industry advisor for Suther's Feed Company. 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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