Kiburz steals the Swine Show first time out


Ten-year-old Royce Kiburz poses for a picture with his Champion Middleweight Derby Gilt during the 2017 GJCF. Kiburz said he worked hard to train his pigs before the fair. (Photo by Pete Temple)

Kiburz is congratulated by 2017 GJCF Princess Lauren VonBehren as he exits the show ring at the Swine Show after winning an overall champion plaque. (Photo by Pete Temple)

Royce Kiburz of Scotch Grove took home multiple champion plaques and champion and reserve champion purple ribbons this year after exhibiting six pigs in the GJCF Swine Show. This was his first year showing at the fair. (Photo by Kim Brooks)
SALUTE TO PORK PRODUCERS
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     It’s hard to believe that the 2017 Great Jones County Fair was 10-year-old Royce Kiburz’s first time exhibiting. But after coming away with seven champion and reserve champion plaques and purple ribbons, the young 4-H’er seems to know a thing or two about showing pigs.

     Kiburz has been a member of the Scotch Grove Challengers for just two years; this was his first year exhibiting in the Swine Show, though you wouldn’t know it based on how well he did. Kiburz’s list of accomplishments this year is outstanding:

     • Reserve Champion Overall Derby Gilt

     • Reserve Champion Derby Barrow-lightweight

     • Champion Derby Barrow-middleweight

     • Champion Derby Barrow-heavyweight

     • Champion Derby Gilt-middleweight

     • Champion Overall Derby Barrow

     • Supreme Derby Hog

     “He was the only one in his club showing pigs,” said his mom, Melissa Kiburz.

     Kiburz said he was just hoping to get a blue ribbon.

     “I felt really good,” he said of exceeding his expectations. “I was very happy. When they announced my name every time, I thought, ‘Are you talking about me?’”

     Kiburz exhibited pigs the family purchased from his uncle in March. A couple of months before the fair, he said his uncle and cousin showed him what it takes to exhibit and train the pigs before the fair.

     “They taught me how to walk my pigs, how to groom them, and to make sure they have plenty of water and feed,” explained Kiburz.

     He said one has to be nice to their pigs because a happy pig does better in the show ring.

     In training his pigs to walk, Kiburz said he uses a slapper to make sure their walk in the right direction. He said if they go toward the corners of the show ring, it’s hard to get them turned around when paying attention to the judge.

     “You want to keep their heads up and in the middle of the ring to impress the judge,” explained Kiburz. “And if they run off, you don’t want to run after them, but you have to keep them separated from the other pigs so they don’t start fighting.”

     He said he also had to learn proper grooming techniques with his pigs.

     “You don’t want to use too much shampoo,” he said of washing them. “But it’s important to keep them clean for the judge.”

     As the GJCF neared, Kiburz’s parents said he was spending 10-14 hours a week with his pigs.

     Compared to other livestock 4-H and FFA youth exhibit at the fair, Kiburz said pigs are easy for him.

     “For the most part, they listen to me, and it’s easy to lead them around,” he said. “I spend a lot of time with my pigs so they can get to know me.”

     After taking 10 pigs to the GJCF this past summer, Kiburz ended up only showing six, three males and 3 females. He said when getting them situated in their pens, it’s also important to have two of the same sex together.

     By the end of fair week, Kiburz sold all six of his pigs.

     Aside from showing his pigs in the derby classes, Kiburz tried his hand at Junior Showmanship for the first time. Though he didn’t win top three, he said he learned a lot in the process.

     “There were a lot of kids showing,” he said of the competition. “But I know to make better eye contact with the judge and to smile more.” He added it’s also important to face the judge when exhibiting.”

     Melissa said her son wasn’t going to take part in showmanship, a decision that was made at the last minute.

     Kiburz’s dad, Kevin, said winning so many plaques and purple ribbons is never a guarantee, especially in one’s first year.

     Aside from showing pigs, Kiburz also entered three photos in the F.A.S.T. photography class. He won two blue ribbons for photos of his goat and a giant tree in the family’s backyard, and a purple ribbon for a photo of one of his pigs.

     While Kiburz has several more years to go when it comes to excelling even more in 4-H, he said for those starting out, it’s important to get to know your animals.

     “Spend a lot of time with them,” he said. “Work hard, but not too hard.”

     Kiburz lives in Scotch Grove. He’s currently in fifth grade at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Monticello.

 

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