We Caught up with Ms. McKinley Tucker exhibitor of the Grand Champion Purebred Gilt at the 2024 San Antonio Livestock Show. Learn more about McKinley below…

What was one difficult challenge you faced to get this win?
Throughout this season the hardest challenge I’ve faced is pigs being pigs, getting any win is extremely difficult, even getting a show animal to the ring is hard, keeping them together, fresh, on feed, and healthy is not easy, but it makes the win that much sweeter when you get it done.

What is one thing you dislike the most about showing pigs?
Cleaning pens and training stubborn animals.

One thing you enjoy the most:
I enjoy the shows the most it gives me the opportunity to see my best friends and showcase the projects that I’ve been working on and perfecting for months.

Something new you tried:
Something new I tried was purebred Hampshire  gilts, I’ve always shown barrows and I’ve found that I enjoy the gilts when they aren’t trying to take out my knees or bite my ankles.

Besides being named Grand Champion, what was another memorable moment for you?
A memorable moment for me that I will cherish forever is when the judge said Hampshire gilt. I look into the crowd and see my dad and one of my best friends Bellami Sasin. She gave me the biggest hug in the world and was crying just as much as I was. I’m so grateful for that moment because it showed me all the support I have and the people that will always cheer me on even if I don’t win.

Somebody you look up to:
Someone I look up to is Bellami Sasin, she is the hardest working, most supportive person I know. She’s always there to support me and help me through thick and thin, through the hardest work, the blood, the sweat, the tears, and everything in between.  She’s always the first to grab a brush and spray bottle to help get a pig ready and she’s always the first one to do anything you ask. Although she’s a year younger than me I look up to her like she’s a famous superstar. I will forever be grateful for her as a friend, and a sister. I love her and wouldn’t have been able to get this win without her.

Favorite show product:
To be completely honest it’s hard to single out a product, we use a ton of different things ranging from Linder feed, to a hundred different skin and hair products. I will have to say though my favorite skin and hair products are baby oil and Final Bloom, and my favorite feed is all the Linders feed.

What playlist do you have blaring in the barn?
My barn playlist is called A Journey of Hard Work and Sacrifice, just to remind me that it’s not always going to be sunshine and rainbows in the barn, but that it takes dedication, work, and time to be good. My playlist has everything from country to rap to pop and everything in between.