Part of the Minnesota Youth Swine Series for youth ages 5-21, the show provides swine exhibitors the opportunity to further develop citizenship, leadership and sportsmanship while educating and enhancing the knowledge of youth about purebred, show pig and commercial segments of the industry.

Champion prizes are donated in loving memory of Dan Hacker, an original exhibitor of the show who organized the show for many years. He was passionate about his family, the swine industry and education of youth in the hog industry.

Matt and Jennifer Welling of Paynesville came to the show with six pigs and their son Preston who plans to attend Oklahoma State University this fall to study animal science.

A district seed sales manager, Matt Welling said he grew up raising hogs but got away from it until his children became interested in it when they were young.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Polka Town Classic Hog Show Junior Showmanship Grand Champion Britta Schmidt, 10, of New Ulm, poses with “Axl,” a cross-bred barrow Friday at the Brown County Fairgrounds.

He talked about what he likes most about hogs.

“They’re very smart animals. You can train them to do what you want them to do. You can train show pigs new things weekly,” said Welling.

“They’re usually docile and fun to show. They’re one some of the cleanest animals too. They’ll relieve themselves away from where they sleep. They have personalities too,” he added.

Weller said he can tell if something is wrong with hogs or if they’re in a good mood they’re in by the sounds they make.

“Our pigs play with each other often. One starts running and the others do too,” he added.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Polka Town Classic Hog Show Novice Showmanship third-place finisher Faith Warmka, 7, of Le Sueur is pictured at right in the ring Friday.

Weller said his family follows the Minnesota Youth Swine Series circuit from mid-May through late June.

“You accumulate show points. It’s kind of like NASCAR,” Weller said.

“The New Ulm people here put on a real good show, keeping the pigs moving along. There’s a lot of room here too. It’s nice to show out of your trailer. It’s a hobby. We aren’t in it for the market, camaraderie and networking with people,” he added.

Welling said just about every part of a hog is useful.

“I know people who have a heart valve from a hog. Just about everything in a pig is useful, except the squeal,” he added.

An FFA and 4-H member who has shown pigs and cows for eight years, Preston Welling said he likes just about everything about pigs.

“We think of this show and others early shows as pre-season to county and state fair contests. Showing is my hobby,” said Preston.

Lance Gordon of Worthington was competing at the show with “Spot,” a cross-bred guilt. He plans to attend North Dakota State University this fall, majoring in ag business, minoring in animal science.

“I recently got into showing hogs. They’re easier to take care of than beef cattle,” Gordon said.

Show results late Friday afternoon included Junior Showmanship Grand Champion Britta Schmidt, 10, of New Ulm.

More show results will be printed in a later edition of The Journal.