Callaway Youth Expo and Mizzou Block and Bridle will host two separate jackpot swine shows at the Auxvasse Fairgrounds at 10 a.m. on May 27.
Individuals ages 8-21 can enter their swine into the shows for $25 per pig. The swine will be separated by market barrow and breeding gilts for judging, then further separated in classes based on breed and weight. The swine must have been born after Nov. 1, 2022.
Each breed champion from the market barrow and breeding gilt divisions will go into an overall drive, where judges will select the show's Overall Grand Champion and Overall Reserve Champion. The Overall Grand Champion will be awarded a $250 payout and the Overall Reserve Champion will be awarded $150.
The judges will be looking at multiple things including body structure, flexibility, squareness and overall how the swine are built from the ground up, Carley Allen, co-superintendent of the shows, said.
Allen has been showing swine since she was 12, and she said that this activity truly taught her the meaning of responsibility.
"It teaches you a lot of skills of money management, responsibility and dedication to someone other than yourself," Allen said. "You have another life that you're taking care of and raising, and you're proud of the way that you've worked with that animal and how it performs."
The swine shows are one of many shows in a larger circuit, hosted by the Missouri Pork Association since the beginning of spring.
At each show hosted by the association, participants earn points based on their performance. Then at the Missouri State Fair, they can win overall awards based on how they did multiple shows combined.
Participants can still enter the Auxvasse swine shows even if they have not participated in any prior shows.
David Reid, superintendent of the shows, estimates 200 to 300 swine to be competing at the shows. He also said that these shows bring good awareness to the pork industry.
"It just promotes Missouri pork, the pork industry, and it just helps broaden the view of other meat that is sold in Missouri," Reid said. "The more people know about the market that is out there, the more people see what the industry is about and promote it. Their (farmer's) livelihood will stay strong."
There is no entry fee to watch the shows, but concession stand food will be available for purchase.
Through concession stand sales and a portion of the swine entry fee, the Callaway Youth Expo is raising money to build a new concession stand and restroom area at the fairgrounds.