Fairgrounds set to go hog wild

Barrows, welcome to SPAMtown USA.

Swine, pork breeders and college students from around the nation will converge at the Mower County Fairgrounds for the 66th annual National Barrow Show and NBS Junior Barrow Classic on Sept. 9 through Sept. 12.

“We’re really excited about this year’s show,” said local NBS Committee Chair Joel Nelson, who added the Sunday night’s opening dinner is a great time for the public to meet people from around the country. Tickets for the dinner are $8. They may be purchased in advance at the Austin Area Chamber or at the door, the day of the event.

The four-day schedule officially kicks off at 9 a.m. Sunday with the Junior Barrow Classic showmanship event, followed by the Junior Barrow Show Classic at noon in Crane Pavilion.

Billed as “The World Series of Swine Shows,” the NBS showcases many of the top breeding boars and foundation females in the country, and all eight, major swine breeds. This year’s show will feature about 1,150 hogs coming in from all across the country. Nearly 240 college students from 27 schools and 14 different states will participate in the judging contest among another 200 FFA and 4-H students.

On Monday the College Judging Contest takes center stage 8 a.m. with students competing in the University, Junior College, and 4-H/FFA divisions. At noon that same day, judging of the popular truckload competition will take place in Crane Pavilion.

NBS breeding stock shows are scheduled for Tuesday beginning at 8 am. The breeding stock sales will be held on Wednesday at 9 a.m. The National Barrow Show and sale features some of the finest breeding stock in the country. All eight major breeds and crossbred gilts and boars are included in the sale.

For more information, go to mowercountyfair.com.

SportsPlus

Business

Guided to Serve: For 25 years Theresa Turnbull has been a trusted soul at Comforcare

Mower County

New mobile app launches to combat food insecurity in Mower County

Mower County

Report on sanitary sewer evaluation given during City Council work session

Agriculture

Kimberly Vrieze joins membership of American Angus Association

Education

Education Briefs

News

Trump’s foreign aid freeze could prove to be a boon for the world’s authoritarian strongmen

Mower County

Austin firefighters battle southwest Austin fire, APD investigating

Mower County

Public hearing set for March 3 regarding addition to Nature Ridge Fourth development

News

Another week to be shaped by court fight over power dynamic within Minnesota Legislature

Mower County

PHOTOS: APDT hosts annual dance show

News

Democrats elect Ken Martin, the party leader in Minnesota, as national chair

Mower County

Love is in the air: Austin Area Foundation to celebrate annual For The Love of Austin

Mower County

YMCA at ACRC celebrates 5th anniversary with special event for community, members and donors

Mower County

Herald collects five awards at this year’s MNA convention

Mower County

Zonta Club of Austin offering a pair of opportunities

Mower County

State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation accepting Century Farm Applications

Mower County

In Your Community: Masons continue supporting Salvation Army food shelf

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Education

Education Briefs

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Jan. 20-27

News

Report: Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions bounced back after pandemic, still below 2019 level

News

Flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough down, norovirus still up

News

Trump says he’ll place tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China on Saturday