Summary: The 2012 Fair kicks off with a whole new look for the swine barn. A generous grant from the Rosenberry Foundation has made it possible to replace old, difficult to clean pens with removable metal units that are healthier for both the pigs and the people who care for them.
Thanks to the generosity of the community and the Harold C. and Marjorie Q. Rosenberry Foundation, the Tuscarawas County Junior Fair Swine program has a fresh look that also has positive health implications for animals and people alike.
The hog pens we had at the fairgrounds were old, wooden ones that were difficult to clean and posed some significant potential hazards, said Dave McCleary, who helped spearhead the effort to raise funds to replace the pens. The new pens are removable and easily sanitized, to improve overall cleanliness for our animals, the 4-H kids, and also our visitors.
Volunteers worked to raise needed funds through an Adopt-A-Pen sponsorship program and assistance from agricultural groups such as the Market Livestock Committee and Tuscarawas County Pork Producers, netting close to $30,000, or more than half, of the project cost. At that point, a grant was submitted to the Rosenberry Foundation requesting assistance for the remaining needed funds. The Foundation responded, granting almost $23,000 to the fund.
We now have 134 new pens as well as new and improved wash rack areas, explained Chris Zoeller, OSU Extension agent. There is also a new sunshade curtain, as well as display racks above the pens so clubs can post their information. He credited the leadership of volunteers Eric Prysi and Mike Domer. Those guys have spent countless hours getting these new pens set up, along with a great deal of assistance with other volunteers, particularly the Market Livestock Committee members.
The new pens were timely in light of recent concerns about several cases of swine flu at county fairs.
We dont expect that to be a problem here, added the agent. Its not widespread. Dr. Tony Forshey, the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture veterinarian, doesnt expect a problem, either. We are very proactive, working closely with our local vets to prevent anything from happening.
Zoeller stressed that it is critical for consumers to understand that there is nothing wrong with the food chain supply of pork. Pork is totally safe. Swine flu does not in any way affect the safety of the meat.
The Tuscarawas County Senior Fair Board and other officials have taken a very proactive stance on keeping both visitors and animals to the fair healthy. Measures have included the erection of signs prohibiting eating or drinking in the swine pen area, and an emphasis on hand washing, which is also an important step when handling livestock. There are four freestanding sanitizer stations that provide water, soap, and paper towels in the livestock area, and another 30 or 40 sanitizer dispensers on the ground, along with hot and cold running water and soap in the restrooms.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), swine flu, or swine influenza, is typically passed from pig to pig, and viruses normally do not affect humans When this happens, these viruses are called variant viruses Influenza viruses that infect pigs are different from human influenza viruses. Swine flu cannot be caught from eating pork.
If something would come up, we have an isolation area available should the veterinarians feel that a pig needs to be separated for observation. A pig could also be removed from the fairgrounds if necessary upon the recommendation of our vets from the Sugarcreek Veterinary Clinic who take care of the animals on the grounds, Zoeller said. Prevention is the key. Simply practicing good hand washing and hygiene procedures is the biggest thing we can all do to prevent the spread of any type of virus or disease.
