Newborn piglets open opportunities for students

Pig at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School farrows 12 piglets
By: 
Luke Reimer
Reporter

The agriculture department at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School recently got a little larger.

Sylvia, a pig owned by WBHS Agriculture Teacher Matthew Christian, gave birth to 12 piglets on Jan. 6. She and her large litter live in the agriculture building at the high school. Christian said, in his experience, it’s not unusual for eight to 10 piglets to be born at the same time. Last year, Sylvia gave birth to six piglets.

“My wife and I bought (Sylvia) two years ago,” said Christian. “We got into it when we started dating. We started breeding our own pigs, and then we sell them to 4-H and FFA students around the area so that they can show them at events and so they can have livestock projects.”

Not only will be these pigs be shown in agricultural events like the Shawano County Fair, Christian said the animals also play a role in the curriculum at the high school.

“We have this facility at school where we can bring her in and let her farrow here, so that the kids can be involved in the process,” said Christian, noting that farrowing in pigs is similar to humans giving birth. “Two weeks ago, we actually did vaccinations on the piglets in my veterinary science class. Both the animals and the students are very involved in class.”

Christian said that the process of having the piglets started all the way back last summer, when Sylvia was artificially inseminated. He added that he often utilizes artificial insemination in order to have more control over the genetics of the animal.

“Because they are pigs for showing, we are looking for the best possible genetics to have the best-looking show pigs ready,” said Christian. “She has really become part of the curriculum, which is cool.”

Speaking on the effect that Sylvia has had on the department, Christian said that the number of students enrolling in agriculture class has grown heavily.

“Kids just want to be in here,” said Christian. “They want to work with the animals, and we have this building to work in the greenhouse. There are so many things to offer in this department, but animals are the big thing.”

Preparing to show animals at events is a big part of Christian’s curriculum, saying that the students have many different duties to help take care of and raise these animals.

“The kids are walking the pigs, washing them, conditioning their hair — the pigs are very pampered animals,” said Christian. “Also, the kids are cleaning the pens and doing all of the dirty work, too. It is really cool; the students feed and water the pigs when they get to class every day.”

This is now the sixth year the Christians have been breeding pigs to be used for show, and this is the second year that the pig has been at the school. The piglets are sold to students in Shawano and Marathon counties.

“Our hope is to have kids want to take those pigs down to the state fair, as well,” said Christian. “My wife is very good at the show part of it. So when we sell a pig, she will actually go help that student with hands-on experience.”

With the piglets being born earlier this month, Christian said they will be ready to show in the Shawano County Fair at the end of the summer.

“They will be butcher-sized by the end of July or early August,” said Christian. “It takes about six or seven months.”

Talking about raising the pigs, Christian called the process an “enjoyable chore” for the students. What might not be so enjoyable, however, is acknowledging what happens to the animal after the fair — which can be tough for some students, Christian said.

“They almost become friends with the animal, but the hard part about the project is having that bond with the animal,” said Christian. “The important thing is that the kids learn that it is a food animal. A lot of kids struggle with it at first, but then they come to the realization that that is the animal’s purpose at the time.”


lreimer@newmedia-wi.com