They're "Rounding-up" Pigs
In The Divide Community
For the Market Show

by: Bobby McDonald

Brothers Dillon and Dallas Dannheim, sons of Richard and Tracie Dannheim, are actively "rounding-up" pigs for the upcoming NETLA Market Show, scheduled for the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, in less than two weeks. The dates for the show are February 23, 24, & 25th. Both boys hope to place a pig well enough in their class to make the Sale of Champions, scheduled for Saturday night, February 25th.

"Now is the time that is critical to get out and walk you pig every day," advised Dillon Dannheim. "These last couple of weeks you want your pig to be gaining muscle and remain 'fresh' looking for the judge. That means that it is gaining weight and putting all of that weight to muscle, instead of it all going to fat!"

"And, it means that we walk them about two miles every day," adds Dallas. "It is a long way around the trail that we have for them to walk, especially when it is cold or raining!"

"Once you turn the pigs out of the pen, you never know where they are going to go," advises Dallas Dannheim,
shown here, left, with his brother, Dillon, and his father, far right, giving him a little advice.

Both Dallas and Dillon made the sale with their entries last year, and they have even raised their own pigs for the show. "The boys kept back the gilts that they showed in the past two year's contests and bred those gilts, to raise their own pigs," states their father, Richard. "They've even managed to sell some of their pigs to other exhibitors for the show, so that is going to make this year really special, as they will be looking to see how the pigs they sold others, place in the show!"

"Showing pigs is fun," expresses Dallas. "Especially, when all of your friends are showing and you get to miss some school!"

"But, it is hard work too!" inserts Dillon, as he brings one of his pigs into a crate for a "haircut." "You have to clip each of them for the show, and when they are weighing up to 250 pounds, it takes a long, long time to first wash them and then clip them!"

Dillon Dannheim clips one of his pigs for the show, while it lays in
the warm sunshine. However, when it is cold, you have to keep the
pig warm, when you've trimmed all of its hair off!

"Then, you must make sure that you keep them in a warm place, so they don't get too cold," advises Dallas. "Or, you'll soon end up with a sick pig!"

With only about ten days before they will be taking their pigs to the Civic Center, both Dannheim boys are ever vigilant with making certain that their pigs stay healthy and eating the maximum feed they can consume.

Dallas and Dillon hope to sell two of their pigs in the NETLA Sale and then take two more pigs to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, in March.

Watch for both Dillon and Dallas, in the upcoming show and come out and cheer them on, as they make their bid for the Sale of Champions!

Meanwhile, every afternoon, you'll find Dallas and Dillon "rounding-up" pigs on their farm in
anticipation of the contest!

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Good Luck, Dallas and Dillon!