YOUTH SPOTLIGHT
Mclayn Musick Mclayn Musick is from Camp Point, Ill. He attends Black Hawk East College and Western Illinois University for Animal Science and Ag Marketing. Mclayn’s parents are Paul and Erin Musick. he American Berkshire Association thanks Mclayn for his hard work and dedication to the Berkshire breed. How long have you raised, shown or been a part of the Berkshire breed? I started raising Berkshires at the age of 5 years old in 2004. I purchased two gilts, one from Brad Davis from Iowa and the other from Cornhusker Genetics (Martin Family) of Nebraska. How did you get started in the breed? My Mother wanted me and my sister to have our own separate breeds that way we wouldn’t compete against each other. My sister showed Poland China’s and I showed Berkshires. What is your favorite moment that you’ve had at a show or on the farm? My favorite 2 favorite moments have been showing the Reserve Champion Berkshire Barrow and Champion Bred and Owned Berkshire Barrow at the 2007 Summer Type Conference in Springield, Illinois, and the many times being able to show Berkshire breeding stock for other older breeders at the various shows. Who are some mentors that you’ve had in the swine industry? I have a couple strong mentors that have inluenced me throughout my years raising Berkshires, starting with Ken and Juline Shafner of Illinois, Gene Waters of Kansas, Brice and Grant Conover of Iowa, Jef Wippel of Ohio, Bob Bankendorf of Iowa and lastly Wayne Fowler of Wisconsin.
“Make sure you are honest about what you are trying to accomplish and keep true to the breed standards.” -Mclayn Musick What is your favorite event and/or show? My favorite event to show at is the National Barrow Show in Austin, Minnesota because of the history and many diferent divisions associated with it. What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone looking to get started with Berkshires? Make sure you are honest about what you are trying to accomplish and keep true to the breed standards. Many people my age and younger just want to raise Berkshires because it’s the thing to do, but they lose sight of the main purpose of what the breed is based on and how they should be presented. Experience Berkshire / 7
