Author photo

By Karla Pomeroy
Editor 

Champion breeder: Warner gets support from family in local breeding program

 

August 13, 2020

Karla Pomeroy

Dani Warner, who has her own beef and swine breeding programs won the annual Washakie County Breeding Heifer Award with the grand champion breeding heifer. Presenting the award on behalf of the Washakie County Cowbelles is Jamie Starbuck. The award is sponsored by the Cowbelles and many other area ag producers. Regarding her breeding programs, Warner also won reserve champion breeding heifer, Bred, Fed and Owned Award in the Beef Show and the Overall Breeding Swine in the swine show. Full fair results can be found online at https://www.wyoming4h.org/washakie4h/washakie-county-fair/2017-washakie-county-fair-results/

WORLAND - Dani Warner is a champion breeder and showman and the long-time 4-H and Chief Washakie FFA member won many accolades at the Washakie County Fair last month and is likely going to add to those awards at this week's Wyoming State Fair.

Warner won the Champion Bred and Fed Award in both the Youth Swine Show and in the Youth Beef Show. Those entering that category must breed, feed and show their animals at the county fair shows.

In the beef show, Warner also won grand champion showman in the 4-H senior division, grand champion FFA showman in the beef show, grand and reserve champion breeding heifer, grand and reserve champion market steer.

She was also grand champion 4-H senior showman in the round robin.

While her only award was the Champion Bred and Fed in the swine show at the county fair, Warner showed what a strong breeder she is with 16 of her swine shown by other 4-H and FFA members. She also had one pig shown in Big Horn County.

This is her third year with the breeding show.

She said her grandfather, Alan Skalsky used to raise her show pigs and he wanted out of the breeding business so he gave Warner her first bred sow and farrowing crate.

"I grew the breeding program after that," she said.

Last year Warner had eight pigs shown by other people at the fair and the program has grown to the 17 this year.

Warner, who graduated from Worland High School, in May, plans to continue her breeding programs for both pigs and cattle.

She said for the pigs she gets two litters from each sow, a fair littler and a littler of butcher hogs. Warner currently has five sows and two boars.

"What I love about pigs is their personality. They are so easy to show. All of them have a different but good personality. It's an awesome animal to start off with; they are easy but fun," she said.

Warner has show pigs for 11 years at the county fair. She has Hampshire, Birkshire and Yorkshire.

I keep a gilt out of the litters, show them at the county fair and make a sow out of her.

The animals sold she uses to expand the breeding program.

The cattle program, she started eight years ago with her father.

The Warner family have 37 head of cattle and Dani Warner herself owns three of the cattle.

They have shown at the NILE and her and her dad have been trained in artificial insemination.

"I bred all my cows and heifers this year myself. I chose the bull I wanted to use on them. Through the AIing program I have been able to showing the calves I raised."

The calf she won reserve market champion with was bred from her cow.

The beef program was started in part because they live next to a feedlot and helped with branding. Then her older brother Connor began showing steers and she has always shown steers.

"My parents (Mike and Carie Warner) wanted to get more involved and they have always believed that the best way to learn about our projects is to get involved in the breeding program," Warner said.

The Warners have short horn, Charlaise and Maine Anjou.

She said her uncle from Nebraska raises shorthorns and when they began their program they got some from him and expanded.

As for the cattle she said, "I get attached to them. They start off knotheads and don't necessarily behave the best, but by the end of the summer they are like a dog and follow you around."

She said she likes to see the improvement in the cattle and how comfortable they get with her. They also have a good personality and different personalities.

"I love animals in general," she added.

Warner said her grandfather was a big help in getting started in the swine breeding program. Her parents have been huge support for her and will continue to help out while she is at college.

This fall, Warner will be attending Casper College and will be on livestock judging team as well as showing and fitting team. Her ultimate goal is to complete a pre-veterinarian bachelor degree and then attend vet school.

The fair litters she said should be born during Christmas break and the calves in the spring, which means a lot of trips home on the weekends.

"I just want to thank my parents for supporting me through it all and allowing me to have the breeding programs," she said.

JUDGING

As for judging, she says it ties into her showing animals and her breeding program. She said she has learned how to pick out good animals she wants to show, or how to hide the flaws in the show ring.

Judging has also helped Warner with public speaking skills. "Before judging I couldn't talk to the judge, but now I don't get nervous anymore."

She said judging also helps her pick out what type of cows or sows she wants to use.

4-H

As for involvement in 4-H, it has been a family affair for the Warners. She said her parents were active in 4-H. Her older brother Connor starting with swine and cattle. Her sister Taylor started showing sheep.

"At one time all three of us were showing sheep, pigs and cows, but now I just do swine and cows," Warner said. Sheep, she said, "just wasn't my thing."

Warner said 4-H is a great learning experience, not just for the agricultural experience, it teaches responsibility and leadership skills.

This week Warner is at the state fair in Douglas and is a Wyoming State 4-H Ag Ambassador. As an Ag Ambassador she helps youth in the county with their projects. She said for state fair, as a team, the ambassadors made educational boards for each species and will be doing activities throughout this week.

 
X
 

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024

Rendered 03/20/2024 02:01