Tate Welch, Leslie Birkenholz Win Pig Show Awards at State Fair

Missouri junior swine exhibitors travelled to jackpot shows throughout the summer competing for points in the MPA Youth Show Pig Circuit.  Points for the circuit could be earned from twenty different shows held across Missouri. An awards presentation was conducted to conclude the program August 10 at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. Over $14,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to the winners in various categories.

Winners, by town, are:

Wyatt Ellis – Bethany – 10^th place in Crossbred Barrows

Leslie Birkenholz – Hopkins – 10^th place in Overall Gilt, 4^th place in Berkshire Gilts, 2^nd place in Hampshire Gilts, 2^nd place in OPB Gilts, 2^nd place in Poland China Gilts

Chloe Hodge – New Hampton – 5^th place in Berkshire Barrows

Shambree Hagan – Princeton – 6^th place in Overall Gilts, 4^th place in Duroc Gilts, 1^st place in Poland China Gilts, 4^th place in Yorkshire Gilts

Eli Henke – Princeton – 8^th place in Overall Gilts, 1^st place in Chester White Gilts, 5^th place in Crossbred Gilts, 1^st place in Showmanship-Intermediate

Brylee Williams – Princeton – 2^nd place in Overall Barrows, 2^nd place in Crossbred Barrows, 3^rd place in Duroc Barrows

Tate Welch – Sheridan – 7^th place in Overall Barrows, 4^th place Chester White Gilts, 1^st place in Poland China Barrows, 4^th place in Showmanship-Intermediate

For complete results, visit http://www.mopork.com/youth/mpa-youth-show-pig-circuit/

Premium sponsors for this year’s Circuit included Northeast Veterinary Service, Heimer Hampshires, Show Stock Outfitters and Judging Pro. Funds were also raised through advertising in the official pocket guide and a benefit auction.

This year, 220 kids participated in the program, accumulating points from twenty shows held across Missouri. Points could be earned in each of the following breeds for both market barrows and breeding gilts: Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Poland China, Spotted, Tamworth, Yorkshire, OPB and Crossbred. Points were also earned for members who participated in one of four Showmanship divisions. Prizes were awarded to the top five finishers in each breed for both market barrows and breeding gilts, and in each Showmanship division. The top ten were awarded in the crossbred division. Prizes were also awarded to the top ten exhibitors in both overall barrow and overall gilt categories.

The MPA Youth Show Pig Circuit is designed to provide junior swine exhibitors the opportunity to develop their citizenship, leadership and sportsmanship skills and to reward Missouri youth for their participation and hard work for exhibiting their swine projects statewide. For more information, contact the Missouri Pork Association at (573) 445-8375, or visit the MYSPC webpage, http://www.mopork.com/youth/mpa-youth-show-pig-circuit/