by Paula Kully –
In what seems like another lifetime, my family lived on a beautiful 40-acre property overlooking the Cariboo Mountains near Horsefly, B.C., where my daughter was involved with the local 4-H Club. She was a member of the horse club, as she didn’t have the inclination to raise an animal for food. But, we certainly had the opportunity to see other kids take this path and each year we attended the Annual 4-H Show and Sale which produced just as many tears as it did sales, as kids said goodbye to the animal they had raised and pampered for a year.
This same experience happens here on the Saanich Peninsula during the South Malahat 4-H District Auction at the Saanich Fair, and one local youth who is involved is 16-year-old Madison Kryt. “Maddy” has been a member of the Saanich Peninsula Beef and Swine 4-H Club since she was 10. She is currently the president of the club and is raising a hog and a steer which will be sold at the auction on September 4.
Maddy’s hog project begins each year in April when the club leader, Susy Chung, coordinates the purchase of the hogs for all the members from a breeder up island. The hogs usually come from the same litter and are about six weeks old when the kids get them. They are chosen based on the build of their body and what produces the best meat as this is what the animals are judged on and what ensures a profitable sale in the end.
The hogs are already vaccinated when they are purchased, but Maddy needs to tag her hog’s ears as soon as she gets it so that it can be easily identified. This is especially important if the hog happens to get loose off the property.
Maddy’s hog, who she has named Pearl, stays in a little hut on the family’s property. She sleeps on hay and has a large pasture to explore, including a mud bath (of course). Animal care is a huge commitment that involves watering and feeding twice a day, both morning and evening, and spending a great deal of time with the animal so they are friendly, happy and easy to handle. It also includes learning how to care for the animal, what it needs to be healthy, diet and so on.
To prepare for the auction, Pearl is bathed so that she is clean for the show ring and Maddy will dress in the proper show attire which includes a show shirt, jeans and a belt.
Prior to the auction, Maddy connects with local businesses and family friends regarding the purchase of her hog at the auction. The hog is sold by the pound and can go for up to $7/lb or as low as $3/lb depending on the market that year. The hog is processed right after the auction and sent to the buyer within two weeks, with the cuts that they desire.
In the end, Maddy’s profit for her hog project will be anywhere from $600 to $1,500. Part of this money goes towards the purchase of another animal for the next year and the remainder into her savings accounts for her future education.
In regards to her 4-H experience, Maddy says: “4-H is a program that is so worthwhile. You learn valuable skills, meet people that will be lifelong friends and build a great support system. You might not anticipate all the hard work, but it is totally worth it. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for 4-H.”
4-H is a global organization that was formed in 1902 in the United States and has been in existence in Canada as a non-profit organization for over 100 years. The “4-H” stands for head, heart, hands, and health, which is part of the organization’s pledge. The goal of the organization is youth development through knowledge enhancement, leadership skills, citizenship training and personal development. Although 4-H initially focused on rural youth, the program has expanded to urban centres and 4‑H’ers are tackling the world’s top issues, from global food security and climate change to sustainable energy.
