Milford chronicle., 1962-04-13
She Picks "Piggies"
On The Hoof
BY ROBERT ID. LEWIS

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) = The
housewife who likes to pinch and
jab before buying a roast for din
ner has a real friend in Mrs.
Cecilia Neville-the country's only
woman livestock judge.
Il think of the housewife" says
Mrs. Neville, when I'm in the
judging arena. What she's going to
want when she goes to the super
market-the lowest amount of fat,
good lean meat.
at is very important that We
have good breeding stock so better
nj a will show up in the mar
kets."
Mrs. Neville became the coun-
try's only female livestock judge
~ years ago at the Daviess Coun-
ty Fair in southern Indiana. She
started Judging cattle, but in re-
cent years has been concentrating
on swine.
Judged at Granddaddy
Topping her judging assign
ments last year was an appear
ance at national swine show in
Edinburgh, Scotland. She also
judged at state fairs in Indiana,
Iowa and Ohio; the Arkansas
Livestock Exposition; the Mid
south S how at Memphis and a
show at San Francisco's Cow
that was a real thrill"
Her 1862 itinerary began with an
appearance at Denver, Colo,
stock show.
In previous years-1958-59-60
she judged at the National Barrow
Show in Austin, Mimi. and in 1853
became the first and only woman
ever to enter the arena as a Judge
at the granddaddy of the stock
shows-t h e International Live
stock Exposition in Chicago.
Animals were nothing new to
the tall blonde when she broke in
to livestock Judging. She is the
daughter of the late Jess C. An
drew of West Point, Ind. who was
president of h e International
Livestock Exposition for many
years. AS a youngster she COM
peted in All Club competition,
Showing cattle and sheep for 8
years"
She Loved Animals
1T never occurred to me in
those days that someday | would
be judging the animals instead of
showing them," says Mrs. Neville.
"But / guess it was my love for
apir,alc that o,o+ mo IN
She took an animal husbandry
course at nearby Purdue Univer-
sity and was advised by the teach
er to try judging. She did n d
liked it.
II was determined to be the best
possible" she says. During the
years. she has taken many other
agriculture courses at Purdue to
broaden her knowledge of ami
mails.
81 knew when l went into the
ring for the first time / had to
prove myself" says Mrs. Neville.
There were so many professional
farmers in the audience. They
knew the best animal, and / had
l.
1t has become rather common
to see Mrs. Neville judging ami
mails but she still hears the same
remarks: What is that lady doing
with all those pigs?"
She has the poise of a Snowman
in the arena. She studies con-
figuration, slaps the backs of the
animals with the flat of her hand,
watches their gait and evaluates
their appearance.
When she steps over to the
microphone, she leaves no doubt
in the minds of spectators and ex-
hibitors that she has selected the
best animal. :. steps out WE'LL"
and has better hams and lions"
she may say.
Why haven't other women fol-
lowed Mrs. Neville into the live
stock judging field?
Perhaps it is the difficulties
that exist when you try to break
into a mans world" she says.
Butchers Are Respectful
Mrs. Neville and her husband,
Maurice, Sr., breed Yorkshire
swine on their 350-acre farm near
Lafayette where they live with
[ h cir two teen-age children,
Maurice. Jr., II, and Cecilia, Is.
In addition, they operate 1000
acres in nearby Benton County
where the chief product is pure
bred Angus and Hereford cattle.
Butchers probably are as re-
spectful of Mrs. Neville as are
livestock exhibitors. 81 buy meat
like judge an animal" she says.
II am very critical when | do my
shopping. In fact, you might say 1
look at steak just like / would
judge an animal on the hoof"