By KAITLYN ALANIS

Staff writer

Tayle Black, 8, of Marion, is not afraid to get a little muddy when preparing her two pigs, a cross bred and a berkshire, for Kansas Junior Livestock Show.

“It gets really messy,” Black said. But that’s okay, she said, because washing them is actually her favorite part.

“I use a lot of soap and water,” she said.

Preparing her pigs includes teaching them to walk with the use of a whip along with brushing them daily to ensure their hair and skin is slick and shiny. She spends about 30 minutes each day with the pigs.

“It’s a lot of work,” Black said. She said it is worth it though because she really enjoys showing off her pigs.

While some livestock exhibitors go to the show with the goal of winning, Black said she has a different goal.

“I hope to learn more,” she said.

Black is one of 13 kids from Marion County who are entered in 49 categories for the show, which is Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 in Hutchinson.

Scholarships will be awarded to exhibitors who have excelled academically, in community service, and in 4-H or FFA.

A showmanship contest will award prizes for the top five junior and senior divisions of each species.

The LEAD Challenge program provides exhibitors an opportunity to learn about industry issues and apply that knowledge in a competitive environment.

Kansas Livestock Foundation will sponsor a club calf show and sale with some of the top club calf producers in the Midwest.

Other kids who will be showing livestock include Cailey Barney, Zach Barney, Ava Case, Payton Harms, Emily Meier, Elizabeth Meyer, Corin Parmley, Jensen Riffel, Landon Roberts, Calleigh Soyez, Hitch Soyez, and Wyatt Soyez.