American Berkshire Association
Berkshire News
®
Volume
Issue 1
1
Volume
11,11,Issue
August
2013
August26,26,
2013
ABA Online Sale
The ABA will host an online Berkshire sale on October 16th through www.showpig.com.
This sale will focus on weanling pigs for the southwest shows, however you can consign
any pedigreed Berkshire—young pigs, breeding stock, retired boars, open or bred sows
or semen.
The entry fee is $25/lot, includes photo ($35/lot for a video). A 10% buyers premium
will be charged to the buyers. 10% commission will be taken out of the consignors
check. If you are interested in consigning anything, please contact the ABA office
ASAP. We need to have all information by October 10th.
Berkshire Foundation Scholarships Awarded
At the 2013 Summer Conference, the Berkshire Foundation awarded four $500 scholarships. Congratulations to this year’s winners—Alex Conover, Cierra Whitesel, Mallorie
Wippel, and Carly Wechter. Scholarship applications are due May 1. Applications are
available on the ABA website.
ABA Annual Meeting
At the 2013 Annual Meeting the following was changed in the bylaws. Note that the
swirl rule was not changed.
ARTICLE XIX - Markings and Identification Requirements
Section 1. Color. The ideal color pattern is black with six white points (face, four socks, tip
of tail). Less desirable, but acceptable, breed characteristics are: a) varying degrees of
white skin and/or hair, anywhere on the body, in addition to the desired six white points, b)
absence of up to 2 white points, which includes the presence of a docked tail, and c) sandy
colored hair in the areas where white and black border.
Section 2. Ear Carriage. The ideal ear carriage is ridged and tight. Less desirable, but acceptable, ear carriage is: a) ears that are larger than astatically pleasing and b) ear carriage
that lacks rigidity.
Section 3. Identification Requirements. No animal shall be eligible to record unless it is distinctively ear-notched at farrowing time. All pigs from the same litter must carry the same
litter notch. When individual ear-notches are used, the right ear shall be used for the litter
notch and the left ear for individual notch, in accordance with the official Berkshire earnotching system. Official ear-notching system available on request. No two litters on the
farm shall be ear-notched the same during the same farrowing season, which may be interpreted as being between January 1 through June 30 and July 1 through December 31 of each
year.
Section 4. Disqualification for Registration of Breeding animals. The presence of one or
more of the following are disqualifications for registration: a) less than 12 teats, b) the presence of one or more swirls on upper half of the body, c) total blindness, d) rectal or uterine
prolapse, e) hermaphroditism, f) atresia ani; g) cryptorchidism or monorchidism; h) scrotal
and/or umbilical hernia, i) any skin color present besides black and white (includes red or
sandy colored skin), j) the presence of a solid black face and/or absence of greater than two
white points, including a docked tail, and k) ear carriage that “breaks” to the point in which
ears are continually directed in a downward angle.
Mark Your
Calendar
National Barrow Show—
Austin, MN—Sept 8-11
Ad Deadline for the Nov/
Dec Breeder’s Digest—
Sept 16
Entry Deadline for Fall
Classic—October 11
Ad Deadline for the Jan/
Feb Breeder’s Digest—
Nov 4
Fall Classic—Duncan, OK—
Nov 20-23
Watch the website for more information.
www.americanberkshire.com
The ABA Board of
Directors will have a
meeting in December. If you have
any suggestions or
concerns, please
contact an ABA
Page 2
Volume 11, Issue 1
2013 Progeny Test
There are 19 Berkshire pens in the 2013 Progeny
Test. Results will be available on the ABA website around September 10th.
The following
breeders put pens on test:
Lyle & Darla Wipplinger
Phenotypic Acres (3 pens)
AJC Berkshires—Adam Conover
Kurobuta Berkshires LLC (2 pens)
Tuthill Family Farms
Seybold Berkshires
Lyle & Darla Wipplinger
Fly’n K Berkshires (3 pens)
Oak Hill Farm Berkshires (3 pens)
Englands Berkshires
Delivery for the 2014 Progeny Test is Friday,
March 21st. Plan to participate now.
Show Rule Changes
With the popularity of Berkshires we have seen a
jump in entries at national shows. GREAT NEWS!!
However, the added number of head has expanded the sales beyond what is manageable in terms
of auction flow and buyer activity. We will no
longer put all the pigs in the sale that are at the
show. The hogs for the sale will be selected by
the judge and auctioneer. The number of hogs
selected from each class will be announced during the show. Non selected entries are eligible
for the sale; you can consign animals if you see
Amy within 15 minutes after the show is complete. Consigned animals will sell at the end of
their divisions. Animals not in the sale are eligible for private treaty sale at the owners will.
San Antonio
All pigs shown at the San Antonio Stock Show
and Rodeo must be recorded by December 1.
Not having this done will cause an exhibitor to be
removed from the show. If you sell pigs to anyone that may show at San Antonio, make sure you
have your work into the office in plenty of time.
This is close to Thanksgiving weekend and the
Fall Classic, so please plan accordingly.
Show Schedule
The following ABA sponsored shows
are scheduled for 2012 & 2013—
National Barrow Show
Sept. 8-11, 2013—Austin, MN
Boars and Gilts
farrowed Jan 15, 2013 and after
Fall Classic
Nov. 20-23, 2013—Duncan, OK
Boars and Gilts
farrowed April 1, 2013 and after
2014 Southwest Conference
Feb 27– Mar 1, 2014—Belton, TX
Boars and Gilts
Committees
Executive:
Merrill Smith, Chair
Burdette Conover
Luke Montgomery
Amy Smith, Ex-Officio
Finance:
Mike Gentry, Chair
Bert Byrd
Burdette Conover
Amy Smith, Ex-Officio
Constitution & By-laws:
Adam Conover, Chair
Tona Smith
Luke Montgomery
farrowed July 1, 2013 and after
Bred Gilts
farrowed January 1, 2013 and after
2014 World Pork Expo
June 3-7, 2014—Des Moines, IA
Boars and Gilts
farrowed Oct. 1, 2013 and after
Bred Gilts
farrowed April 15, 2013 and after
2014 Summer Type Conference
June 24-28, 2014—Springfield, IL
Boars and Gilts
farrowed Dec. 1, 2013 and after
Bred Gilts
farrowed May 1, 2013 and after
Marketing:
Shane Butcher, Chair
Bert Byrd
Burdette Conover
Kelly Biensen
Steve Stassen*
Show:
Tona Smith, Chair
Luke Montgomery
Shane Butcher
Mike Gentry
Bert Byrd
Youth:
Luke Montgomery, Chair
Tona Smith
Adam Conover
Shane Butcher
Swine
Mortality
Insurance
Call Marty Smith at Smith, Sawyer, Smith, to insure your breeding swine purchases—
574-223-2166.
Amy Smith, Ex-Officio
Testing:
Burdette Conover, Chair
Kelly Biensen
Communications:
Adam Conover, Chair
Mike Gentry
Kelly Biensen
*Non-board member
Volume 11, Issue 1
Page 3
Report from the Board President—Merrill Smith
As I begin my second year as ABA President, I am excited about the many good events, projects, and goals
achieved last year. The Board of Directors and membership helped create this success. Our National shows
and sales were way up, Team Purebred events were strong for Berkshire exhibitors, new members were at an
all-time high, and most importantly, there is opportunity to have profits from raising Berkshire hogs.
Behind the scenes, The Board of Directors started working on a long range strategic plan. We hired more good
help in the office in order to allow Amy Smith, CEO, to do some work in our meat program. Registrations and
transfers are up and we are the third largest purebred breed in the United States in litter registrations behind the Yorkshires and Durocs. Our association is financially sound and we are able to put money into special
projects and trips to help our breed. It is truly the right time to be in the Berkshire business.
I would like to thank Todd Harvey, Aaron Schafer, and Steve Stassen for their hard work and good service on
the ABA Board over the past few years. Each has contributed in a big way to help our breed and association
progress in a positive direction. Their terms have expired, and Kelly Biensen, Shane Butcher, and Mike Gentry
are our newly elected Board Members.
I would like to thank Macie Wippel, Purdue student and Ohio Berkshire family member, for her good part time
work in our office last school year and am happy to report she will be back this year. Kassandra Knauth, another Purdue student and Illinois Berkshire family member is also going to help in the office this year.
Amara Danner did a great job this summer as our Summer Intern. Amara’s extra experience with Team Purebred, family boar stud, and leadership roles in our industry proved to be quite valuable to The ABA. Thank you
Amara. She said she loved her work with the ABA and was sad to see her last day as an ABA intern.
Jayne Lawless has stepped up big in our office and is able to take care of the work when Amy is on the road.
Jayne is our behind the scenes “Most Valuable Player.” She answers the phone, takes care of the extra pedigree work we now have, handles the mail, and can do it all very well. Jayne is very loyal to the ABA and goes
beyond the call of duty.
Amy Smith, CEO, has been a big part of our breed’s success. She is hard working, forward thinking, positive,
and very talented. She does many things very well for the ABA. She works seven days a week most weeks because that’s what it takes. She loves the ABA and her dedication results in a total commitment. Thank you
Amy.
Fast breed growth is a good thing, but it creates more work and new challenges. Our board is willing to try to
assist our office people to help with these challenges. In addition, our meat program needs more assistance as
it grows. Volunteers have gotten us to this point. The future will require more than volunteers. The dreams
of the past are wanting to become a reality. We must work together and be united as we make positive directions about our future.
Please feel free to contact me by phone 812-525-1769 if you have questions or suggestions. The best time to
call is evenings and weekends. Board members are willing to answer your questions too.
Our work will never be done, but let’s make sure the work we do will have a positive impact for our breed. You
can do your part by being an honest, responsible breeder that helps your customers be successful.
If you could pick a time and place to be in the Berkshire hog business, it would have to be this time and this
place (USA). Thank you for your support.
Page 4
Volume 11, Issue 1
2013 Hog College Boar
Bred by
Bill Owen
(614-220-3787)
and
Bob Owen
(507-269-2640)
Scan Data
135 days to 250
.79 BF @ 250
7.89 LE @ 250
Tested Stress
and Napole
Negative
Sired by KSWV Dream Scheme 9-12 (Housed at NIBS) and out of a COR9 Happy 3-9 sired female (Also
housed at NIBS) this guy is a real "TANK" in all respects. He easily fits the performance criteria for
"Hog College" but he also qualifies phenotypically. Robust and stout in three dimensional makeup, marked
well in color pattern, shapely in ham and loin areas. Sound in movement with excellent balance in toe placement and size. Teat spacing and count is excellent with well formed testicle size and very active libido attitude with very up-headed approach. Deep in his depth of body from front to rear. His bone size is excellent, but looking at his ancestors who proceed him as an aged service sire his bone work and heaviness of
body structure will be extreme. His dam is a real work horse and extremely impressive phenotypically. Littermate sisters to 10-7 are all rated keepers.
Please go to the ABA website at www.americanberkshire.com for more information.
Page 5
Volume 11, Issue 1
2013 Hog College Gilt
Bred by Wippel Family Berks (740-404-1148)
This Berkshire Hog College gilt is an exceptional female that will
represent hog college row well for the breed. Very feminine in her
make up, balance and overall design one that has brood sow written
all over her. Study her neck extension from her head back into her
blade. Very up headed, level down that top, long thru her rump with
an extra nice vulva size. So extra deep in her center body, nice curve
to her rib with a tremendous set to her legs, feet, pasterns and
toes. An extra nice Berkshire female to represent the breed in Austin, Minnesota at the National Barrow Show.
Check out the ABA website for extended pedigrees, videos and more information.
Page 6
Volume 11, Issue 1
American Culinary Federation
Trade Show & Convention
Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – Las Vegas ● July 21-24, 2013
Trade Show dates and times
Tuesday, July 23rd from 12:30 pm thru 5 pm
Wednesday, July 24th from 10:00 am thru 2:00 pm
Berkshire Meat Products, LLC
The ACF Convention opened on Sun day,
July 23rd and went thru Thursday, July
25th.
The 42nd Annual American Academy of
Chefs (AAC) Induction Reception and Dinner took place at the new and luxurious
Cosmopolitan.
We provided 100% Pure Berkshire Pork®
tenderloin for opening night ice breaker
reception. This is a casual dinner for chefs,
instructors and students to meet one another. There are stations around the room
serving different dishes. The Berkshire
pork was cooked to perfection and was
very tasty. Everyone Amy talked to
thought it was the highlight of the evening.
ABA CEO Amy Smith presenting the knife set to Marcel
Hesseling, a corporate chef with Health Care Reit, Inc.
Vicki Trump from Arizona helped with the
booth. This is the third time she has been at
this event. Chefs like to talk to the people that actually raise the pigs. Ed Bass, Vicki and Amy were busy talking to people
almost nonstop. This booth is not to promote any one packer or distributor of 100% Pure Berkshire Pork® but to promote
the label and what it stands for. We try to match up the needs with local programs in their area.
We especially like talking to students. They are the most impressionable and will, hopefully, remember the facts about
buying only 100% Pure Berkshire Pork® when they work in restaurants later in their careers.
Those stopping to talk with us at the booth were asked to give us a business card which was put into a drawing for a set of
chef knives. The winner was Marcel Hesseling, a corporate chef with Health Care Reit, Inc. Online Litter Registration
The online registration is a new system. If you had a username and password for the old system, it did not automatically transfer to the new system—you have to contact the office. We need to have credit card information on file
in order to be signed up to use the online system. Currently this system is only for litter registrations. You can
email us transfers at the same time—be sure to include the earnotch, name and address of the buyer and the date
of sale. If you want us to mail the transfers to the new owner, be sure to ask us to do so. Call the boar stud to
order the AI certificates you need before doing you online registrations in order to avoid delay.
Page 7
Volume 11, Issue 1
American Berkshire
Association
2637 Yeager Road
West Lafayette, IN 47906
Phone: 765-497-3618
Fax: 765-497-2959
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.americanberkshire.com
Board of Directors
Merrill Smith—President
Phone: 812-663-8789
Burdette Conover—Vice Pres.
phone: 712-368-4481
Bert Byrd
phone: 806-292-3373
Adam Conover
phone: 267-221-3065
Kelly Biensen
Phone 641-352-0549
Shane Butcher
phone: 217-433-4834
Mike Gentry
Phone: 317-690-0820
Luke Montgomery
phone: 660-375-1949
Tona Smith
phone: 217-473-7234
ABA Staff
Amy Smith
Office: 765-497-3618
Mobile: 765-426-9102
Fax:
765-497-2959
2013 National Barrow Show Entries
State
Boars
Gilts
A3 Company
AJC
Arnholt, Nathan & Family
Behrends Farms
Bobell, Katey
Burns Farms
Conover, Brice
Creason Genetics
Eilertson, Jonathan
Estep, Haley
Gentry, Stephen
Gerlt, Lucus
IA
IA
IN
IL
IL
MO
IA
MO
SD
TX
IN
MO
2
4
3
4
1
2
Goodnight & Limes
Higdon, Scott
Hufendick Farms
Huseman Genetics (Randy)
IN
OK
IL
TX
Iggys Piggys
Iowa State University
Keim, Jason
MN
IA
OK
Knight, Tyler
McWhinney Show Pigs
Motis, Thane
Naughton, Dan Amy & Reed
NIBS
Norman Farms
Oram Berkshire
Phenotypic Acres
Pierce & Odell
Range & Theobald
Reed Family Berks
Schmaling, Ben & Ethan
Smith, Merrill & Linda
Stanley, Larry
Triple M Farm
Waddell, Ashlee
Walkup, Maddie
Webster, Cory, Kyle, & Cole
Wehrle, Mikayla
Westcamp, Lance & Mitchell
Wetzel, Dean
Wippel, Mallorie
IL
OH
NE
IL
IA
IL
MO
IA
OH
IL
IA
IA
IN
IN
MN
MO
MO
IL
WI
OH
WI
OH
Wippel, Markie
OH
Name
TOTAL
1
1
4
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
4
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
3
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
37
57
Page 8
Volume 11, Issue 1
ABA DNA and Testing Cheat Sheet
AI Certificates
The requirements can be confusing so here is a “cheat
sheet” to explain policy:
The ABA requires a separate AI certificate
for each litter.
Registration Requirements—All Sires must be DNA banked
and must be stress tested (results can be negative, carrier,
or positive, but the sire has to be tested). The card to
DNA bank must come from the ABA office (cannot be a
Genalysis card). Just because the pedigree has HAL-1843*
nm under the pigs name, it does not mean the pig has been
stress tested (could be a negative mating) or DNA banked.
Show requirements—All animals must be stress negative on
the pedigree (HAL-1843* nm will be printed under the pigs
name). This can either be from a test or a negative mating.
This is also a requirement at all Team Purebred events.
Before we can record any litter out of a
boar that you do not own, you must obtain
an AI certificate by contacting the boar
stud where you purchased the semen. If
they do not give you the ear notch and registration number of the boar, please include
the boar’s name on your litter registration
form or online. We need the boar’s name to
match the correct AI certificate to the
correct litter. We are not mind readers
and we are not going to guess the sire of
your litter.
100% Pure Berkshire Pork® Program—All sires must be
tested negative for both the stress and Napole genes.
Please remember to sign the bottom of
your litter registration form.
Litter Registrations
When you send in litter registrations be sure that you are the owner of the sow—if you are not, you need to include a
transfer. If the sow is not in your name when you send in the litter registrations it will hold up your papers. We do not
automatically transfer the females, because you may have written down the wrong information.
Also, people have been overheard saying “just mail it in, Amy will know what to do with it.” Amy does not open the mail
and does not see everything that comes into the office so be specific with directions when you send in DNA samples for
testing or other paperwork to be done. Do not expect us to remember a phone conversation from a month ago or even
last week. Don’t wait until the last minute!! If we don’t have DNA on the sire, we can’t register your litters.
H
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American Berkshire Association
2637 Yeager Road
West Lafayette, IN 47906