Hansen proves success in Swine Show comes with practice

     For her third year exhibiting in the Great Jones County Fair Swine Show, 11-year-old Landri Hansen of Wyoming shocked herself by taking home some hardware.

     Hansen, a sixth grader at Midland Schools, is a member of the Wyoming Pioneers 4-H Club. After showing six pigs during the fair, she had two of her pigs lead her to victory. Hansen won Champion Lightweight Derby Barrow, Champion Live Derby Barrow, Supreme Reserve Grand Champion Derby Hog, and Champion Middleweight Derby Gilt.

     “I was shocked,” admitted Hansen of how well she did this summer, “especially because I won three awards with one pig.”

     With her gilt, “Josie,” Hansen said it wasn’t a complete surprise that she won.

     “She’s an easier pig,” she laughed. “I’m not too surprised I won a plaque with her.”

     Hansen’s interest in 4-H started when she was in first grade withy Clover Kids.

     “When I started, I really wanted to show pigs,” she said.

     Hansen’s interest in showing pigs at the fair stems from two of her cousins who have also excelled in the Swine Show: Connor Paulsen and Royce Kiburz.

     “I enjoyed going to see them show,” recalled Hansen, who exhibits her uncle Brock Hansen’s pigs.

     To prepare for the fair, Hansen heads to her family’s farm, about 5 miles outside of Wyoming, were she works with the pigs. The process typically starts in mid-May.

     “My dad told me I need to start (working with my pigs) early,” Hansen said.

     She also gets help from her dad, Travis, and uncle Johnny Hansen. When it gets closer to fair week, Hansen walks around with her pigs.

     “Royce has been pretty successful at the fair, and he gives me tips on how much to feed them and how to walk them,” explained Hansen.

     When it comes to “training” her pigs, Hansen said it’s important to know how to properly walk them, making sure they keep their heads up.

     “I try to find a spot under their neck that helps keep their head up,” added Hansen. “You work with them just under the chin toward the neck.”

     Hansen said the more she works with her pigs, the better she and her pigs get as the fair approaches.

     Trial and error are also part of the exhibition process. For instance, Hansen learned that her barrow, Alex, can be skittish at times.

     “I don’t hit him hard, just a light tap to get him to go,” she said of the training and showcasing process. She added that other pigs require more of a push because they can be quite stubborn.”

     There is also a difference when raising a barrow versus a gilt.

     “I need to keep the feeder full, especially for the derby,” explained Hansen. “You want them to eat for a higher rate-of-gain.”

     The lessons Hansen has already learned are now being passed down to her younger sister, Quinn, who’s in fourth grade and will be showing pigs for the first time at the 2022 GJCF.

     Hansen enjoys showing at the fair for the experience.

     “It takes lots of patience. Ninety-nine percent of it is patience.

     “It also teaches me to have control over my pig and to take responsibility for its care.”

     Hansen also has some fun along the way. She comes up with a clever theme each fair when it comes to naming her pigs. Last year, she named her pigs based on cuts of pork, such as “pork shop.” This summer, she planned on naming them after characters in “The Dukes of Hazzard;” however, she chose “Josie” and “Alex” based on family friends.

     As younger kids, like Hansen’s sister, age into 4-H, Hansen has the following advice for those beginning to show livestock: “Find someone to motivate you to keep you going. Stay with it; don’t quit.”

     Hansen is the daughter of Travis and Elisha Hansen of Wyoming.