This little piggy went to market, and, yes, that is true, but this article is about his pre-market days when he stayed home and lived the life of a pampered pig. Meet Rooster the show pig, raised by Kamlynn Mason. Kamlynn and her brother Kaden have both won awards in this industry, Kamlynn with Rooster, and Kaden with his barrow named Hollywood. Their mother Carrie Brockman and her husband Josh own a farm in the area and run a breeding program for the show pig industry with clientele from throughout the United States. They host a training camp for young people twice a year and sell pigs that will be raised for competition. Carrie recently shared information about how this fascinating industry is run and the benefits that raising an animal can bring to a young person.
We started raising show pigs ten years ago, in 2015, and began with seven sows. We eventually owned 250 sows but are down to 120 at the current time. Our initial goal was to win as many shows as possible, but our objectives have changed over time to those of building solid customer relationships and pointing as many people as possible to the Lord Jesus Christ. We try to do everything we can in this operation to glorify God and give thanks to Him for the many ways He has blessed us. Additionally, we want our customers to be successful, and we do our best to give them the direction and support needed toward this goal.
Kamlynn and Kaden are both currently raising pigs for competition. They are homeschooled and have classes in the afternoon, so their mornings are spent caring for their animals. The pigs need to stay on a regular schedule, and this involves being fed twice a day with high-quality feed. Time is spent brushing and conditioning their skin and hair, and this also helps the animals get accustomed to being handled. The pens are kept extremely clean, which ensures the animals are living in a healthy environment and not subject to factors that can cause sickness. Biosecurity is important and is a term meaning to reduce the risk of diseases through a variety of factors including people, other animals, equipment, and during transport. Keeping the pen clean also helps to keep the white portion of the pig’s skin and hair as white as possible. To keep the black portion as black as possible, the pig is taken to a pen out in the sun for about thirty minutes a day for tanning. The pig is also trained to walk for competition. When a young person decides to get into this type of extracurricular activity, he or she needs to be committed to the daily process of taking care of their animal. It’s a lot of work and responsibility, and knowing they are caring for a living being adds a weight of importance to the project.
We have private-treaty and live sales throughout the year, and after purchase, we help them through the entire feeding period. Feeding a pig has become a science to help ensure the development of a quality animal. They can send videos every two weeks, and we will make recommendations on what to do. We also help with showmanship as much as possible. We offer camps twice a year and have some blog videos to help. We love seeing our young people succeed and build solid work ethics. And as a side benefit to our family, Kaden and Kamlynn have developed friendships with young people from all over the United States.
It is February, and after raising the pig for six months, it’s showtime! Competitions take place all over the nation, but we will center our sights on Rooster and the Ft. Worth Stock Show for this article. Registration to show a pig took place in December and Rooster is now ready for his big day! He is not fed during the trip to Ft. Worth because this can upset his stomach. Kamlynn will move him into the barn the morning before the show and give him thirty minutes of rest before feeding him. Water and electrolytes are offered several times during the day and then he is fed at noon before getting an afternoon bath. The day is centered around letting Rooster eat, drink, and rest.
Competition is divided into weight ranges. Kamlynn will guide Rooster into the show ring on the cue of the judge. At this time, the judge swiftly surveys all the animals and makes quick and definitive decisions on what animals stay for further competition and those that don’t make the grade. Within just a few seconds, the fate of the past few months of hard work is known! If the pig wins at this class level, he will go on to compete in the weight within breed category, and if successful, then the breed show. The Grand Champion is selected from the breed competition on Thursday night. As you can see, the first impression at each level of a contest is huge!
The auction takes place on Saturday morning, and a percentage of the pigs are sold to companies and individuals who bid on them. And for those animals who placed high enough in both the Houston and San Antonio shows, they go to the A&M carcass contest and are judged for their meat. The young person can make extra money at this level.
Kamlynn entered Rooster in the Ft. Worth show and won Grand Champion, and won in Louisville, Kentucky with her pig Joker. Kaden won at San Antonio, the biggest of the shows, with his pig Hollywood. Kamlynn and Kaden entered into this project through 4H, but contestants can also enter through their local high school FFA program. Whether one’s animal wins or goes home early, the rewards these young people reap will enrich their lives and benefit them greatly in the future. The character-building and work ethic developed within the young person is priceless.
The Brockmans have built a business that has touched lives, both young and old, all over the nation. It has enabled them to raise Kaden and Kamlynn in an atmosphere of commitment, compassion, and trust as they work together as a family to care for a multitude of animals who depend on them. And as Carrie states, “We are always being watched by young people and their parents, so we work hard to honor Christ and touch lives with His love and message of good news. That is our main mission, and we take it very seriously.”
