Judging expected today at 73rd annual Barrow Show

Published 10:10 am Friday, February 3, 2017

: Pigs were unloaded Thursday at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds in preparation for the 73rd Minnesota State Spring Barrow Show. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

The Minnesota State Spring Barrow Show is bringing students and adults together for competition and the chance to grow at their craft at Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

Weigh-ins for the event were Thursday. Judging was today, and registration started at 8 a.m. Co-show manager Gordon Toenges said 135 pigs were expected at the show, and FFA and 4-H students from around the area were expected to attend.

“It will be a good show,” Toenges said. “We’ve got a lot of pigs coming. We should have a lot of judging teams here to judge judging contests. We should have a lot of participation.”

All junior division exhibitors must be either 4-H or FFA members in at least the third grade. All entries must be selected from a bona fide 4-H or FFA project and certified by extension personnel or an FFA instructor.

Pigs are weighed in Thursday at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds ahead of today’s Minnesota State Spring Barrow Show. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Anyone older than the second grade can participate in the open individual division; however, open division exhibitors cannot participate in the junior division. Children in second grade or younger participate in a separate class.

The open division is open to barrows and gilts. Exhibitors can show up to two purebred barrows.

The truck lot division consists of six hogs, of which at least three must be barrows. The division can be entered by exhibitors who don’t show in the junior or open divisions. However, exhibitors can enter the junior or open divisions as well as the truck lot division.

Alden-Conger High School student Logan Sailor is judging at the show. He also judged last year, and he was the top junior individual.

“Hope to do it again and get the team a victory,” he said.

Sailor shows two to three hogs for 4-H at the Freeborn County Fair.

Judging begins at 9:30 a.m. today in the 73rd Minnesota State Spring Barrow Show at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. – Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Alden-Conger will be going to a state competition. At least 20 to 30 students from the school were expected to attend the Barrow Show.

‘“We’re out here just getting some practice,” Sailor said.

The show announcer was slated to be Kendall Langseth. Selection of champions follows each division.

The annual donor rib banquet was scheduled for today at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with a meal at 7 p.m.

Alden-Conger sophomore Ryan Hansen is showing a barrow and a guilt. He hoped to finish near the top of the show.

“It’s going to be cold, but fun,” he said.