Yesterday I learned a new term, “barn blind”. It can best be defined as the inability to see the flaws in ones own pigs. This can happen to all of us, I saw a boar presented by one of the most successful showpig breeders I have ever heard of that I don’t think would make good pepperoni. It happens when you become so familiar with your own pigs that you really loose the ability to critically evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses. It is alot like looking at your face everday in a mirror and then seeing a photo of yourself, you never really think you look as bad as you do in your drivers license photo.We can still pick our best pigs, we just can’t see them from our barns as others will see them in a setting like Duncan. A show of this size is really an eye opener. There are allot of good pigs sifted and allot of people shocked when their favorite weaned pig gets a stripe. That is why it is so important to keep an open mind and use events like this as a calibration opportunity for your own herd.
Early morning temps have been in the mid 30′s. It is odd for me to see folks in the parking lot in Carhart coveralls at these temps. The action in the parking lot seems a little slow. I am not sure if there will be any parking lot auctions or not his year, I have been so busy I have not heard any rumblings on them yet.
Pigs are all fed and watered trying to find time to do this, watch the breeding stock shows, and sell weaned pigs in the lot and in the barn. I am going to post some pictures on the website, www.bowersswine.comI will add a link on the frontpage right after I post this note.