Brothers Brody and Kyser Nemecek grew up surrounded by farm animals and a show ring. Even though theyre still young, theyve already translated their years of competition experience into leadership skills, guiding others in Allen County and the surrounding area.
So far this summer, Brody, age 16, has taught swine showmanship clinics at each of the three 4-H counties in the Southwind Extension District (Allen, Bourbon and Neosho). He worked with one family in Bourbon County, which has a very competitive fair, and helped a first-year 4-H contestant take home a fifth place finish.
Its really fun to see (other 4-Hers) go out. Theyre having a good time because we helped teach them how to show, Brody said. When they see success, it makes me feel good.
Sometimes helping other people helps you learn how to be a better person, Kyser added.
And it helps you realize what youre doing wrong, Brody said. You see them doing something and realize, oh no, I do that too.
Brody and Kyser, age 11, also traveled to Woodson County recently to teach another family how to show pigs.
Theyve got several young kids starting. Theyve still got a ways to go, but theyll get there, Brody said.
SHOWING PIGS is a lot different than showing other animals, Brody said. You have to keep a pig moving using only a stick, compared to other animals like cattle, sheep or goats that follow a pattern, then need to be stopped and posed.
You kind of have to plan what your going to try to do with pigs, but its a lot more reactive than the other species, Brody said.
The Nemecek brothers will show pigs, cattle and goats this week at the Allen County Fair as part of the City Slickers 4-H Club. But their competition experience stretches far beyond Allen County. Theyve shown pigs since they can remember, and are fixtures at state swine and goat competitions.
Each year, they travel to the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa; to the American Royal in Kansas City, Mo.; to the National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) Southwest Regional youth contest in Woodward, Okla., and all over Kansas for the Eastern Kansas Swine Show Series.
They show a combined 25 or so pigs between the two of them each summer. That translates to hundreds of pigs over the past several years, with all of the animals born and raised on their farm north of Iola.
Weve named all of them, Brody said. I like to show pigs. We show all over the country. Its fun to meet and see different people.
Most every weekend during the summer, you get to see your friends and hang out with them and show pigs. Its fun, Kyser said.
