James DeRouchey - The Pig Planet

James DeRouchey

We Caught up with Mr, James DeRouchey exhibitor of the Grand Champion Market Hog at the Aksarben Stock Show . Learn more about James below…

Age: 20

Grade: Sophomore At K- State

What made winning at this Show Special for you?

My family has had a lot of history at AKSARBEN, going back to when my Dad and Uncles showed. For many years, Dad and I also made the trip to Omaha to pick out the livestock judging contest classes. It was incredible to have one punch thru and bring home the champion banner for our family.

What was the most special thing about your champion?

“Coal” was raised just a couple miles from where we live in Wamego at Fink Farms. I was working at Finks on the cold January morning where he and his littermates were found outside in the sow lot being born several days before they were due. We bought him from Robert in the Chosen Ones Consignment sale, and after getting him home he fell sick for over a month, losing 1/3rd of his body weight and every rib and spine bone was visible. After weeks of hand giving him water as he was too lethargic to stand up, he finally came around and would eventually go on to have my family’s most meaningful win. He most definitely had the toughest life out of all the pigs we have ever fed, and the end result was incredible.

Who is your favorite judge? Why?

Ty Kim, his Georgia accent sounds awesome on the mic.

If you could build your dream trailer what would it include?

AC Unit, high polished and air ride. I would also include a place for a projector screen to stream games and a large stereo.

Do you get nervous?

I would say I very rarely get nervous, it’s more of an adrenaline rush/anxiousness when something big is about to happen whether that’s a judge making a decision at a show or watching a 3rd down play in football.