Kansas Youth Compete in 2024 Dr. Bob Hines Swine Classic

The 39th Annual Dr. Bob Hines Swine Classic was hosted in Manhattan July 12 - 13.

More than 100 Kansas youth from 32 counties exhibited 250 pigs in the 2024 Dr. Bob Hines Swine Classic July 12 - 13 in Manhattan.

Youth had the opportunity to compete in a skillathon contest, photography contest and showmanship, in addition to prospect and market hog classes. Scott Dean, Lisco, Nebraska, judged showmanship as well as the prospect and market shows.

Exhibiting the grand champion prospect pig was Chase Lillard, Dickinson County. Completing the top five prospect pigs were Travis Oliver, Finney County, reserve; Jacob DeRouchey, Pottawatomie County, third; Kinley Heikes, Johnson County, fourth; and Kyser Nemecek, Allen County, fifth.

Champion market pig was awarded to Britta Goss, Ellsworth County. Completing the top five market pigs were Bentley Ellis, Franklin County, reserve; Kyser Nemecek, Allen County, third; Harper Sowers, Finney County, fourth; and Bailey Hendricks, Cowley County, fifth.

Showmanship classes were hosted Friday evening. In the senior division, Kyser Nemecek, Allen County, was named grand champion showman. Also placing in the top five seniors were:
Reserve Champion – Kason Ramsey, Finney County
3rd – Kylee Pfeifer, Ellis County
4th – Wyatt ReQua, Harvey County
5th – Taylor Baetz, Osborne County

In the intermediate division, Anah Higbie, Franklin County, was named grand champion showman. Also placing in the top five intermediates were:
Reserve champion – Lilly Wilson, Wabaunsee County
3rd – Cheyanne Davis, Shawnee County
4th – Hadley Huseman, Ellsworth County
5th – Kate Heikes, Johnson County

In the junior division, Kinley Heikes, Johnson County, was named grand champion showman.
Also placing in the top five juniors were:
Reserve champion – Bentley Ellis, Franklin County
3rd – Mason Ebert, Ottawa County
4th – Ruby Kohman, Dickinson County
5th – Harper Lujano, Harvey County

A total of 69 youth participated in the skillathon contest. The top five seniors included Kyser Nemecek, Allen County, champion; Ashton Neill, Atchison County, reserve; Isabel Wright, Riley County, third; Ellie Nelson, Butler County, fourth; and Cassidy Dalquest, Morris County, fifth. Top five intermediate included Anah Higbie, Franklin County, champion; August Neill, Atchison, reserve; Natalie Sleichter, Clay County, third; Ty Ebert, Ottawa County, fourth; and Hadley Huseman, Ellsworth County, fifth. The junior division top five included Lorelei McDonald, Riley County, champion; Mason Ebert, Ottawa County, reserve; Clayton Gottlob, Cowley County, third; Elias Neill, Atchison County, fourth; and Harper Sowers, Finney County, fifth.

Youth entered 27 photos in the people’s choice photo contest. Alexis Hummel, Pottawatomie County, had the champion photograph, followed by Rylan Nichols, Butler County, with reserve.

The event is hosted by K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry.

Photos of award winners and candids from the show are available online at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBzySk