One of the premier swine shows in the state is taking place in Freeborn County today.

The 67th Annual Minnesota State Spring Barrow Show 2011 began at 8 a.m. at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds with registration for the judging contest and judging of the Junior Pen of Three. The event will wrap with the selection of the sweepstakes winner at 4 p.m.

The annual donor rib banquet will follow at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club at 7 p.m.

Just like the past 66 years, this show allows competitors, from kids through adults, to exhibit their livestock and participate in the judging competition.

Local pork producer and event co-organizer Daryl Mattson said the judging, showing and education — especially among the youth — are the main focuses of the show.

And even as the number of local family hog operations have declined over the past couple of decades, Mattson said the show remains an important part of local agriculture because it’s about the only type of event that allows local youth in agriculture the chance to show off their animals in what some consider the “off-season.”

Junior division exhibitors must be either 4-H or FFA members, and must be in at least the third grade. A kid’s class is for those in the second grade or younger who wish to exhibit.

New this year in both the open and junior divisions is the purebred barrow class. Exhibitors can show up to two purebred barrows. Registration papers need to be submitted at the scale.

Mattson said people come from all over the Midwest, as far south as Des Moines to the Wisconsin border, Winona and Worthington. He was expecting around 100 exhibitors and 250 animals in the show.

Tentative schedule
Place: Judging Arena at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds

8 to 9:30 a.m. judging of Junior Pen of Three

8 to 9 a.m. registration for judging contest

9:30 to 11 a.m. judging of junior individuals

11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. judging of junior individuals

1:15 to 2 p.m. judging of junior derby barrows

2 p.m. judging contest awards

2:15 to 3 p.m. judging of open individuals

3 to 4 p.m. judging of open individuals

4 p.m. selection of sweepstakes winner

7 p.m. annual donor rib banquet at Wedgewood Cove