Windsor Chop Dinner to help kick off event

Austin is ready to go hog wild.

The annual National Barrow Show returns to the Mower County Fairgrounds Sunday, beginning with a 9 a.m. junior barrow classic showmanship event, followed by the junior barrow classic at noon. The annual Windsor Pork Chop Dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Plager Building of the Mower County Fairgrounds.

The meal, organized by the Austin area NBS committee, features a Hormel Windsor pork chop, coleslaw, baked beans, dinner roll and refreshments.

Tickets are $9 each and are available in advance at the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce or at the door. All proceeds from the lunch help offset expenses associated with hosting the National Barrow Show in Austin. The 68th annual show starts Sunday and runs through Thursday.

Organizers anticipate more than 900 animals will take part in this year’s show. Many of the nation’s top breeding boars and foundation females, as well as hogs from the eight major purebred breeds, will be entered in the show, held at the Mower County Fairgrounds.

The National Barrow Show consists of purebred boars and gilts from the Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, Poland China, Spotted and Yorkshire breeds. Local food vendors and trade show exhibitors also take part in this annual event.

In addition, the World Series of Swine Shows will attract many of the top college judging teams from throughout the United States. Nearly 400 college, 4-H and FFA students will compete for top honors in the judging contests this year from states throughout the U.S., including California, Texas, Georgia, Ohio and West Virginia. Many participants are also expected for the NBS junior showmanship show and barrow classic.

The NBS breeding stock shows for the eight purebred breeds begins at 8 a.m., Tuesday. The sale of the eight purebred breeds and crossbred boars and gilts will start at 9 a.m., Wednesday.

The public is invited to attend any of the National Barrow Show activities during the four days. The National Barrow Show is organized annually by the National Association of Swine Records, and is assisted locally by the Austin area NBS committee.

A schedule of the show will be available on the Mower County Fairgrounds website at www.mowercountyfair.com.

Event sponsors include Austin Hy-Vee Food Store, the Minnesota and National Pork Board and Pork Check-off, Agri-News, Holiday Inn and Austin Conference Center, Days Inn, Mower County Fair Board, Austin Chamber of Commerce, and Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau.

2014 National Barrow Show schedule of events

Mower County Fairgrounds

Sunday, Sept. 7

9 a.m. — NBS Junior Showmanship Contest, Crane Pavilion

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. — Windsor Pork Chop Dinner, Plager Building

Noon — NBS Junior Barrow Classic, Crane Pavilion

Monday, Sept. 8

8 a.m. — FFA/4-H, Junior and Senior College Judging Contest, Crane Pavilion

Noon –— Individual Market Barrow Show, Crane Pavilion (Truckload Show immediately to follow)

Following Truckload Show – Hog College Home Run Drive

Tuesday, Sept. 9

8 a.m. — Breeding Stock Show, Crane Pavilion; two rings

9 a.m. — Presentation of Special Awards and Judging Contest results, Crane Pavilion

Wednesday, Sept. 10

9 a.m. — Breeding Stock Sale begins, Crane Pavilion; two rings