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Swine
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COST:
Student's are advised to expect a minimum purchase price of $300-500 for all swine projects. If a student finds a cheaper animal, they can seek advisement from their Ag teacher on whether it is a good find, but it is the student's sole decision on what animal to purchase.
Students can spend more money if they choose, though if making a profit is the goal.
Buying:
Advisers can and will help with the purchasing and transportation of animals if prior arrangement are made. The Advisor will walk students through the buying process and accompany them to sales & ranches, if needed. The student will be shown good & bad characteristics of animals and be advised on which animal would be a quality choice. The student however, holds the buying power and will be the final decision maker on which animal they purchase. It is advised that at least one parent/guardian accompany the student to purchase their animal so that they are involved with the process and learn some of the same knowledge to assist their students with.
Please see SALE & SHOPPING dates below for more info....
When shopping with your Ag Teachers, we Might stop at a Feed store or Tractor supply on the way home to help you purchase any basic supplies/feed that you might need. If you would like to purchase supplies in advance, please see your advisor or ask a fellow, experienced, FFA member.
Responsibilities
As with all student raised animal projects, the students are required to cover all cost, care & maintenance of their animal as needed. These projects belong TO THE STUDENT and it is their Entrepreneurship SAE to be responsible for.
Daily Care: All swine projects are to be fed quality feed, AT LEAST once a day(twice a day is normal). Swine also require adequate exercise & time out of their stall and should be walked daily. Their stalls must be cleaned REGULARLY.
Many of our students work together to help out as need, and it is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE for any animal project to miss a meal. We have a strong support system and their is always someone who is able to help as needed. Please see the barn/project rules for details on consequences...
Supplies:
Students can buy as much or as little of supplies as needed. Our FFA chapter has a lot of start up items on hand to help anyone who might need it, but students should purchase their own basic supplies.
Basic supplies for swine include, show stick or pipe, feed bowls/troughs, water buckets, grooming brushes and sealed feed containers to store feed and/or hay. Students are advised to save up at least $100 to purchase most of their basic supplies. This may or may not include the cost of feed & hay.
Feeding:
Students should work closely with their Adviser to establish a feeding program. Advisers will provide suggestions for feed and/or any supplements their animal might need, but it is up to the student to make the decisions regarding their animal projects.
Chapter Supplies:
Advisers will typically have basic health care supplies on hand for any incidents that may happen, but will advise the students on how to care for issues as they come up (and they will come up...).
The Chapter also has a plenty of Show boxes & Show team supplies for those who raise animals & attend shows. We never discourage a student from getting their own supplies, but the Chapter's supplies are certainly available as needed, and deemed necessary.
DEWORMING -
Lambs and Goats should be dewormed for internal and external parasites monthly leading up to the show. The advisor recommends a final deworming 30 days from show so that the animal is ready for the show and for the food supply chain immediately after the KCYS.
Most worming medications have a 30 day withdrawl period.
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