Staff Photo by Clay Schuldt Olivia Hammer gives her pig hug after winner the Jr. Showmanship award. Hammer has been showing swine for years and is fast becoming a veteran of the program.

Staff Photo by Clay Schuldt
10-year-old Aubree Schmidt stands with her pig after winning Champion Market Barrow at the 4-H Swine Show

No single competitor dominated this show, with a variety of exhibitors taking home first place ribbons.

Molly Carnell took Overall Breeding Gilt Swine. She was also the sole presenter in Senior Showmanship and was awarded the Champion ribbon. Carnell would also with the Champion Pen of 3 Award.

The Intermediate Showmanship Award went to Mallory Drake with Haily Green taking Reserve.

In Jr. Showmanship Oliva Hammer took the Champion ribbon with Abigal Jensen finishing in Reserve.

Hammer is 9-years-old and has been showing swine for four years. She said the secret to showing pigs is to keep your eyes on the judge and have a good time.

The Overall Market Gilt award went to 9-year-old Mady Drake. Drake has been showing swine for six years. Her secret to success is to walk the pig every night.

Aubree Schmidt, the winner of Overall Market Barrow, agreed that walking the animals every night was the tried and true method for raising a strong pig. Schmidt is 10-years-old and has shown pigs for the last five years.

Judge Ben Drescher commented that Brown County often competes with cross-breed wine. For the second year in a row the cross-breed division was the most popular. Drescher said it can be a greater challenge to compete with cross-breed animals compared to the pure breed.

“It speaks to the quality of the animal and the presenters that they can compete so well,” Drescher said.