A terminal barrow show had its place 20 yrs ago. That is no longer the case. Very few of the people who exhibit market hogs at the Illinois State Fair even raise hogs to any scale to have to worry about taking hogs home to manage disease control. It is no longer necessary for the state fair to feel responsible to market the market hogs that are exhibited there in an attempt to help with disease control. Most of these hogs have already been exhibited and co-mingled multiple times throughout the summer already as a result of the youth show programs. In todays industry it is a very sensitive issue when it comes to humane handling. While we all know it happens and as hard as we try loading hogs on a semi in the August heat is not an easy task, and is not necessarily something we need to show case. With the Duquoin State Fair swine show under new management we could see that program grow and return to its former level with a breed barrow show, but only if Springfield is no longer a terminal show. There are several lighter weight barrows terminated that could be shown at Duquoin and several other shows after Springfield. It is no longer necessary for the fair management to feel obligated to market the barrows exhibited there. The youth (and their parents)have enough money invested in these animals they should have some say in when and where these animals are marketed. The buyers of these hogs are drastically under pricing these hogs because they are "fair hogs", and as exhibitors we are forced to sell them for the price given, most times some $7 to $10 per hundred weight under the market. IF the fair can, and wishes to provide the service of an out truck for families who wish to sell there hogs after the fair that is fine but it SHOULD NOT BE MANDATORY. If you agree that the Illinois State Fair Barrow Show should not be terminal please sign this petition.

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