Mooove over, pigs; the cows are taking over this weekend.

Cattle enthusiasts from around the state are getting ready to load the trailers and hit the road. For nearly 200 youth, the first stop in their summer cattle show season will be at the Minnesota Junior Spring Classic from April 13 to 15 at the Mower County Fairgrounds.

This year’s committee expects record numbers, according to a press release. In 2011, MJSC saw an increase in cattle numbers, with 280 head shown by nearly 200 exhibitors.

MJSC also focuses on the educational aspect of the show industry. This year’s show will feature a boot camp, educating juniors on nutrition, livestock care, showing and fitting. Bob May, nationally respected fitter, will conduct a fitting and clipping demonstration, and Angie Hotz, feed consultant for Land O’ Lakes/Purina Feeds, will discuss livestock nutrition. Zinpro Performance Minerals’ Erik Swensson will lead a discussion on the importance of ag awareness, and to wrap up the day, participants will get hands-on showmanship advice from past MJSC participants.

New in 2012, the MJSC committee will also award two $500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors or college-age exhibitors.

There will also be a Cowboy Church Service at the fairgrounds.

The weekend-long event will begin with registration on Friday afternoon, which will continue early Saturday morning. Events will continue on Saturday with the boot camp scheduled for early afternoon and an evening dinner.

The show starts at 8 a.m. Sunday and will feature market beef, dairy steer, breeding heifer, and showmanship divisions.

Exhibitors can pre-register at www.eventbrite.com or can mail entries to: Tom Pierson, 4365 County Road 10 N, Watertown, MN, 55388. Juniors participating only in the boot camp are encouraged to pre-register. Visit www.minnesotajsc.com for more information.