Today’s show takes place in the judging arena. Times are approximate, depending on the number of entries. Selection of champions follows each division.

Judging of junior pen of three is from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Registration for judging contest is from 8 to 9 a.m.

Judging contest is from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Judging of junior individuals is from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Judging of junior derby barrows is from 1:15 to 2 p.m.

Judging contest awards are at 2 p.m.

Judging of truck lots is from 2:15 to 3 p.m.

Judging of open individuals is from 3 to 4 p.m.

Selection of sweepstakes winner is at 4 p.m.

Show announcer is Kendall Langseth and judge for the show is Al Schminke of VanHorne, Iowa.

The 66th annual Minnesota State Spring Barrow Show is taking place at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds in Albert Lea today.

Meat packer Wilson & Co. started the Spring Barrow Show 66 years ago as a way to get more pigs going to market in the down season; most pigs were born during the summer, raised outside and went to market in the fall.

Now all the animals at the show go to market and are sold to John Morrell & Co.

Today, most hogs are raised in controlled environments indoors. “Pigs are born about every week now,” Gordon Toenges of Alden, co-show manager, said of many of the operations around the region.

“It’s educational,” said Toenges, adding one of the main purposes of the event is to show people what the industry wants for hogs. The judging contest is a good place to see that.

“If you don’t keep up with the right type, you miss out,” Toenges said.

Some 200 entries with between 75 and 85 exhibitors are expected for this year’s show. Adults and students from southern Minnesota and north Iowa come and show hogs and take part in the judging contest.

There are open classes for adults and junior divisions for youths in 4-H or FFA. New this year is an open individual class for kids in second grade or younger.

“There are lots of little guys who show,” said Toenges. “They’re pretty excited about that.”

Before this year, anyone younger than third grade had to compete in open class.

Toenges has been involved with the show for more than 30 years, and as a co-manager for more than 20. He said the event runs smoothly because committee members know what they need to do.

Daryl Mattson, president of the show’s board of directors, said he’s been participating in one way or another since 1962. His favorite part, he said, is getting to meet new kids who come to take part in the show.

Mattson invites people to come and check out the show and learn a little more about the hog industry.

Added Toenges, “For anyone who’s interested in kids and in seeing livestock, it’s something different. It’s kind of an oddity.”