“Don’t hide. Drive to win.”
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Hayley Daniell
Hayley Daniell, an 18 year old from Florence, carries a deep passion for pigs, showing and teaching others. Her parents, Scott and Andrea Daniell along with brother Cody, have been raising swine since she could remember. They started with 3 Hampshire sows and over the years have farrowed out Durocs, Yorks, Berks and Crosses; they usually have approximately 10 to 13 breeding females at any given time. Hayley shared their goal in raising pigs, “Our hope was to breed, raise, sell and show champions for myself and others.” They also have over 50 Dorper ewes and approximately 30 cows on the ranch to take up any time not spent with the pigs. Hayley has been showing pigs since she was 8 years old, but her first experience in the show ring was terrifying. “The fear of being trampled and losing my pig kept tossing around in my head.” Hayley told us as she relived her first show, where she received 5th Place with her Hampshire gilt, Sarah, “I was so excited, I didn’t lose my pig and I get to keep the pretty yellow ribbon!” Since this experience in the show ring she has been hooked into show pigs. “I’ve tried showing lambs and rabbits, but it just wasn’t my thing. Not enough personality from the animals and I just didn’t have the drive like I do with pigs.” What do you enjoy most about showing? I really enjoy showing hogs that were born and raised on the ranch. I feel like when I go out and show, my hogs try to impress me. For me, it’s not about competing with others; rather, it’s watching my hogs handle well and knowing that other people are watching them too. It doesn’t matter if we won a class or hit the gate, I feel like they know their job and perform at their best.
What is your favorite show and why? My favorite show is San Angelo. Not only have I had the best success at this show, but I also enjoy that it’s more laid back, and it seems that there’s more opportunity to visit with others. Most of the friends I’ve made, I met at Angelo. It’s made showing a lot easier knowing that we are going to a show and have friends waiting to see us. It gives us people to pen by and we all help each other out. It’s like a big show family reunion! What has been your most memorable experience? My most memorable experience was the first time I won a class in San Antonio with a gilt that I raised. I remember walking to the holding pen for a picture when my dad walks up, gives me a huge hug, and says “Hot dang, we did it!!” It was one of those father/daughter bonding moments that has stayed with me forever. I’ve won a lot since that day, but I will always remember that first blue ribbon and the excitement from my dad. Although Hayley enjoys all aspects of the swine operation, her favorite time of the year is farrowing season. “Helping a piglet come into this world is just the best feeling.” With all of her hands on experience, she has learned a lot and shares whenever she can. When it comes to pulling baby piglets her local vet will tell other breeders that “She’s the one to call, she’ll get it out.” Hayley has gone on numerous “Pig Calls” to help other breeders out during the farrowing of sows. She loves to watch all the young pigs grow and find their own unique personality. Playing with the piglets throughout the summer everyday allows them to develop a bond that is irreplaceable. “I’ve spent every summer in the farrowing house and have watched hundreds of pigs go through this barn, but I wouldn’t change a single thing.” Who has helped you the most with your show projects? My dad has definitely helped me the most in raising and showing hogs. He taught me how to show, was there the first time I pulled a piglet, helped me walk hogs twice a day during show season and was always at the gate