We Caught up with Mr. Tate Welch exhibitor of the 4th Overall Crossbred Gilt at The 2023 Team Purebred National Jr Show. Learn more about Tate below…
Age: 20
Grade: Junior in College
Hometown: Sheridan, MO
Tell us a little about your champion:
“Mrs. Officer” as we call her is from Boling Showpigs. She has been special to have in the barn this spring and summer. Here in Missouri the jackpot series and our state fair has started splitting light and dark crosses just in the past year. With her being solid white, when we found her as a little pig it was a no brainer to add her to our line up.
Leading up to National shows, there is a lot of time spent in the barn doing daily routines, packing, and just managing the pigs trying to keep them on point and preventing anything negative we can from happening. My brother and I are typically locked down and don’t leave far from the farm the week prior to a show.
Do you prefer summer or winter shows? Why?
Summer shows are always fun because more of our friends from Missouri travel to them and we get to hang out. Winter shows are also fun because the trips are longer and we make new connections and friends. I really can’t choose!
Who’s been your biggest influence?
It wouldn’t be fair to pick one, a couple, or even name off all the people who have influenced me to this day! Showing livestock takes a huge tribe of people, I am lucky to have the best standing behind me as I enter the ring. THANK YOU to those who always have my back, I will never be able to express how grateful I am.
Do you and your family raise pigs?
We have in the past, that is where my passion for cross gilts began. We raised a couple that got along well, but life gets busy and we don’t have enough time to do that anymore.
What’s your favorite thing to do in the barn?
Jamming out to music while doing our daily skin and hair routine!
What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer?
Travel to new shows that are out of state.