Minnesota Operation: Military KidsExtension > Youth Development > Minnesota 4-H > Projects > Animal science > Swine
Swine Project
Explore the swine industry, including market hogs, breeding hogs, or both. Raise or show one or more purebred or crossbred gilts, barrows or litters. Topics include breeding, health, feeding, fitting and showing, marketing and careers.
State & regional events
To view county or local club events, visit the county website.
Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics Training
All youth participating as a State Fair 4-H livestock exhibitor in beef, dairy, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbit, meat and dairy goat, and lama must have completed the Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics workshop. Certification is good for three fair seasons. The level of training required is determined by the grade of the youth at the time the training takes place.
Dates and locations vary by county. Check this list for more information.
4-H regional & state Project Bowls
Project Bowls are an exciting way for youth to explore a project area. Teams compete in quiz competitions with questions about specific project areas. Project Bowls are available for Dairy, Dog, General Livestock (Beef, Sheep & Swine), Horse, Poultry, Rabbit and Wildlife projects. Winners of the Regional Project Bowls advance to the State Bowl. More info
4-H animal judging contests
Effectively evaluating breeding and market animals is highly important in the animal industry. Judging is an art developed through patient study and long practice. 4-Hers interested in Dairy, General Livestock (Beef, Sheep & Swine), Horses, Poultry, and Rabbits can learn to be a good judge by knowing the parts of the animal and their location, which parts are most important for meat and breeding stock production, making keen observations and comparing to the ideal, weighing the good and bad points of each animal, and much more. More info
- Check with your county for local county judging contests.
- State Fair contest details in the State Fair Premium Book - Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul
Minnesota State Fair
4-H plays a pivotal role in youth development and public education at the Minnesota State Fair. Over 7,000 4-H youth have the opportunity to interact with the public and educate fairgoers through 4-H exhibits, demonstrations, performances, and 4-H promotion. More info
Swine Project resources
Beginning to learn about swine:
- Swine 1 - The Incredible Pig ($3.95 (40 pages) Find this in the 4-H Mall)
Some experience with this project:
- Swine 2 - Putting the Oink in Pig ($3.95 (40 pages) Find this in the 4-H Mall)
Looking for a challenge:
- Swine 3 - Going Whole Hog ($3.95 (40 pages) Find this in the 4-H Mall)
Learning resources for all levels:
- Identifying 4-H Swine Projects video
- Baby Pig Pattern ($2.70 Find this in the 4-H Mall)
- Livestock Care and Showmanship (56 K PDF)
- Herdmanship (45 K PDF)
- Swine Chart (178 K PDF) Best when printed at least 17 x 22
- Swine crossword puzzle (59 K PDF)
- Livestock Judging Techniques
Project leader resources
- Swine - Helper's Guide ($3.95 (40 pages) Find this in the 4-H Mall)
- Swine - Set of four ($15.40 (40 pages each) Find this in the 4-H Mall)
- Exploring Farm Animals - Helper's guide ($3.95 (40 pages) Find this in the 4-H Mall)
- Swine medallion ($7.50 Find this in the 4-H Mall)
Other online resources
4-H Youth record keeping
Project evaluation
- General livestock judging reasons sheet (17 K PDF)
- Animal science project interviews - junior level (26 K PDF)
- Animal science project interviews - senior level (26 K PDF)
