As a student in the Future Farmers of America program, Destiny Potts could often be found at Dekaney High School's barn, taking care of her show pig, Daisy.

It was showtime at the youth swine exhibition, and the pig barn was bustling. The competitors, ages 3 to 21, were practicing their walks for the show ring and brushing pig bristles into place.

Knauth said they then walk through the barns to check on things as well as walking the nurseries and checking on and feeding show pigs. Pens are cleaned, self-feeders and medicator buckets are filled.

“The pigs will generally show improvement. This is not a life-threatening thing for the swine,” he said. McBee said swine influenza virus is not a food borne illness, so the meat is safe to eat.

For one Georgia family, a show pig became more of a companion as the animal brought their 16-year old daughter normalcy as her father battled cancer in the middle of the pandemic.

Pigs seem less stressed if their barn is scented with lavender. If a lavender scent is sprayed into pig pens three times a day, the animals show less aggressive behaviour and appear more relaxed.

Knauth said they then walk through the barns to check on things as well as walking the nurseries and checking on and feeding show pigs. Pens are cleaned, self-feeders and medicator buckets are filled.

Knauth said they then walk through the barns to check on things as well as walking the nurseries and checking on and feeding show pigs. Pens are cleaned, self-feeders and medicator buckets are filled.