Keeping Pigs Healthy in Fair Season

County fair season is in full swing in California, and with it comes the excitement of show day, long hours in the barn, and time spent with fellow exhibitors. But alongside that excitement comes something exhibitors don’t always think about: increased disease risk.

When pigs from across the county come together in one place, they also bring different environments, exposures, and health histories. That’s what makes biosecurity so important during fair season. Biosecurity is simply the steps we take to prevent the spread of disease through people, animals, equipment, and daily routines.

At the fair, it’s not just about avoiding major mistakes. It’s about the small, everyday decisions that either protect your pig, or put it at risk.

What That Actually Looks Like: Small Tips & Tricks to Consider

• The Shared Bucket or Sprayer: You loan a bucket to someone down the aisle. It seems harmless, but if their pig has been exposed to something, that bucket can carry it right back to yours. Consider having your own bucket and sprayer per exhibitor that way you can reduce the possible transmission. If you must share, be sure to clean and dry your equipment after another individual has used it.

• “They Look Fine”: A pig might look completely healthy but still be carrying something. Not all illnesses show immediate symptoms, which is why prevention matters. If you suspect your pig is sick, consult with your show official and breeder immediately so it can be addressed.

• Keeping your pen and aisles clean inside the barn: lots of traffic through the barns can lead to shavings piling up, its important to make sure your pen is clean throughout the day and night as well as keeping your aisles looking clean not only to protect your pigs but impressing fairgoers.

• "I still have pigs at home": Its important to change or disinfect your shoes before going to see your pigs at home and then heading back to the fair, as well as fully cleaning and disinfecting your equipment after the fair is done and moving it back to the barn.

Why This Actually Matters

Biosecurity isn’t just about getting through this show, it directly impacts what comes next.  Healthy pigs = more opportunities to keep showing. This means:

• Staying healthy for your next fair

• Keeping your plans on track to show at California State Fair and California Youth Ag Expo

• Continued opportunities to show across California, the Western Region and the Nation

Strong biosecurity protects your project investment, protects your neighbors in the barn, and helps maintain the integrity and continuation of youth livestock shows.

At the end of the day, biosecurity isn’t about adding more work, it’s about protecting the work you’ve already put in. Because every exhibitor knows: the goal isn’t just to show once, it’s to keep showing.

When we each do our part, we help protect pigs, preserve opportunities, and move the show pig industry forward together as part of Team Pork.