Decatur County 4-H swine show-team members participated in the 2018 Parker Classic on September 22, 2018 held in Bainbridge.  The Parker Classic, formerly known as the Flint River Pork Classic, was renamed to honor a founding member and great supporter of the youth livestock program Mr. Jeff Parker.    

The sponsors of the 2018 Parker Classic were:  Elberta Crate & Box Company, Jeff Barber Family Farms, Cash and Carry Feeds, Decatur County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, and Decatur County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee.  Students from across the south exhibited market hogs, commercial breeding gilts, and registered breeding gilts in 18 classes.   

The show began with pre-club showmanship for kindergarten and younger swine exhibitors. 

Novice showmanship is for grades 1st through 3rd and Amberly Griner from Decatur County placed 4th.   

Winning intermediate showmanship for exhibitors in 4th through 6th grades was Jake Barber of Decatur County 4-H.  Preston Lynn placed 3rd, Langston Bennett placed 4th, and Olivia Griner placed 5th.   

Brannon Parker placed 8th in junior showmanship champion for grades 7th through 9th.   

Taylor Barber placed 3rd in senior showmanship (10th-12th grade) at the Parker Classic.

Brannon Parker exhibited the class winning registered March gilt.   Taylor Barber won 1st place with her commercial breeding gilt weighing 274 pounds, Olivia Griner placed 3rd, and Amberly Griner placed 7th.   Mason LaMonte of Florida exhibited the grand champion commercial gilt.  Taylor Barber of Decatur County 4-H was named reserve champion commercial breeding gilt. 

In the market hog division students exhibited 68 barrows and gilts weighing from 146 pounds to 262 pounds. Abby Bennett placed 1st, 3rd, and 3rd in three different market hog classes.  Preston Lynn placed 6th in class. Olivia Griner placed 7th and 7th in market hog classes.  Langston Bennett placed 7th in class.  Jake Barber placed 3rd in class.  Amberly Griner placed 8th.  Taylor Barber placed 2nd and 6th in class.  Exhibiting the grand champion market hog was Kena Corbett from Echols County and Mason LaMonte of Pasco, Florida exhibited the reserve champion market hog. 

Mr. Dylan Davis served as the judge of the 2018 Parker Classic.  Mr. Davis is from Chatsworth, Georgia and serves as the assistant coach for the University of Georgia Livestock Judging Team.  Mr. Davis attended Northeastern Oklahoma College and Texas A & M College where he participated on the livestock judging teams.