Wheeler Hosts 41st Annual 4-H & FFA Market Hog Show

On Saturday, February 14, the Wheeler County Show Team hosted their annual local 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) Market Hog Show, where students wowed the judges with their pigs.

A total of 14 students and 22 pigs participated in the show, which they began preparing for months ago. These students get their show pig projects in October or November and raise them through the show season at the end of February. During this time, students learn about record keeping, hard work, and responsibility while raising their show pig projects. They complete record books that include immunization records, a narrative about their show pig projects, feeding records, pictures, and a written response explaining what medicine withdrawal times are and why they’re important.

These record books are judged and the placings were as follows: 1st place-Anna Beth Ethredge, 2nd place- Layton Johnson, 3rd place- Remi Bateson, 4th place Martin Wynn, 5th place- Zoey Vann, 6th place-Kaitlyn Morgan, 7th place-Derionna Madison, and 8th place- Layla Vann.

The show began at 10 a.m. with Senior Recognition. This year, we had two seniors, Zoey Vann and Anna Beth Ethredge.

Zoey Vann has been showing for the past 6 years and some of the highlights of her show career include winning Grand Champion 3 times and showmanship at the local show, participating in the parade of champions last year with her crossbred gilt at the state show, winning 3rd overall bred and owned purebred gilt and finishing Reserve Champion in Sr. showmanship at the 2025 GA National Fair as well as being on a state winning team in FFA. Zoey is the daughter of T.J and Jessica Vann. After graduating, she plans to attend Oconee Fall Line Technical College where she will pursue a degree in Cosmetology.

Anna Beth is daughter of Pat and Rebecca Ethredge and has been showing pigs for 10 years. Some of her fondest memories showing include winning Division 1 with her crossbred gilt at the 2021 GA National Fair and participating in the grand champion drive, winning 3rd overall duroc gilt at the 2023 state show as well as winning Grand Champion and Showmanship at the local show and being on a state winning team in FFA. Anna Beth will attend GA Southern University next fall where she will pursue a degree in nursing.

Zoey and Anna Beth will be missed. We would like to say “thank you” for being dedicated members of our show team.

In the Novice Showmanship class, Remi Bateson was the champion showman. Layla Vann won the Junior Showmanship class. In the Intermediate class, Layton Johnson placed first. Anna Beth Ethredge won the Senior Showmanship class. This year, we had two 3-year-olds that participated in the Pee Wee Showmanship Class, Haisley Kinnett and Taft Oliver.

The weight classes followed showmanship beginning with the purebred pigs. In class 1, Layla Vann placed first with her 240 lb Duroc barrow. Layla also won class 2 with her 276 lb Duroc gilt. In class 3 crossbreds, Zoey Vann placed first with her 218 lb pig. Anna Beth Ethredge and her 231 lb gilt won class 4 of crossbreds. Anna Beth Ethredge also took first place in Class5 with her 260 lb gilt. Clay Ryals and his 285 lb gilt won class 7.

In the championship drive, Anna Beth Ethredge won Grand Champion with her gilt from class 5. Layla Vann took Reserve Champion with her class 1 winning Duroc. Zoey Vann was third overall with her pig from class 3. Anna Beth Ethredge was also 4th Overall with her class 4 winner. Clay Ryals took home 5th Overall with his gilt from class 6.

Our show would not be possible without our wonderful sponsors. This year, we had over 50 sponsors that supported our students and their show pig projects!

The Boss Hog Award is given to the student that raises the most money for the show. Zoey Vann won with Anna Beth Ethredge coming in second place.

The Wheeler County Show Team also receives support from the Wheeler County FFA and 4-H. Thank you to Bryant Oliver, Les Bateson, Hannah Snively, Nicole Thornton, and Darby Connell for all you do for our students. Clay Corbett from Echols County was the show judge. He is a farmer from Echols County. He purchases and places over 200 show pigs each year to exhibitors in the southeastern United States.

GRAND CHAMPION – L to R: Judge Clay Corbett, Anna Beth Ethredge, Bryant Oliver.

FOURTEEN SHOWMEN – A total of 14 showmen competed in the recent Wheeler County 4-H and FFA Market Hog Show. Front Row, L to R: Taft Oliver, Emberlyn Keene, Remi Bateson, Eliza Bateson, Fletcher Bateson, Haisley Kinnett. Back Row, L to R: Anna Beth Ethredge, Derionna Madison, Layton Johnson, Martin Wynn, Clay Ryals, Kaitlyn Morgan, Zoey Vann, Layla Vann.

RESERVE CHAMPION – L to R: Judge Clay Corbett, Layla Vann, Bryant Oliver.

SENIOR RECOGNITION – Record Book Winner Anna Beth Ethredge (left) and Boss Hog Winner Zoey Vann (right) were recognized for their time spent with the Wheeler County Show Team, as they are in their senior year of high school.

THIRD OVERALL – L to R: Judge Clay Corbett, Zoey Vann, Bryant Oliver.

FIFTH OVERALL – L to R: Judge Clay Corbett, Clay Ryals, Bryant Oliver.

PEEWEE SHOWMEN – Two three year olds, Taft Oliver (right) and Haisley Kinnett (left) show off their trophies from the PeeWee Showmen division.