The 69th annual National Barrow Show is scheduled for Sept. 12-16 at the Mower County Fairgrounds.

NBS organizers anticipate more than 900 animals will take part in this year’s show. Many of the nation’s top breeding boars and foundation females, as well as hogs from the eight major purebred breeds, will be entered in the show.

In addition, the shows will feature about 400 college, 4-H and FFA students competing for top honors in the judging contests this year from states throughout the U.S. including California, Texas, Ohio and West Virginia. Many participants are also expected for the NBS junior showmanship show and barrow classic.

The five-day event begins at 8 a.m. Saturday with a Collegiate Meats Judging Contest organized by the American Meat Science Association. Sunday kicks off early with the junior barrow classic showmanship event at 8 a.m., followed by the Junior Classic swine show. The community Windsor pork chop dinner starts at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the Plager Building.

Next Monday, the college judging contest will start at 8 a.m. At noon on Monday, the individual market hog event starts.

The NBS breeding stock shows for the eight purebred breeds begins at 8 a.m. Sept. 15. The sale of the eight purebred breeds and crossbred boars and gilts will start at 9 a.m. Sept. 16.

The public is invited to attend any of the NBS activities on the Mower County Fairgrounds. The shows are organized annually by the National Association of Swine Records and is assisted locally by the Austin Area NBS Committee. The local group is comprised of representatives from several organizations, including the Mower County Fair Board, Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, and Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Event sponsors include Austin Hy-Vee Food Store, the National Pork Board and Pork Check-off, Minnesota Pork Board, Holiday Inn and Austin Conference Center, and Days Inn, Mower County Fair Board, Austin Chamber of Commerce, and Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For more information about the show, go to www.mowercountyfair.com and click on the National Barrow Show link.

Schedule of Events

Mower County Fairgrounds

Sept. 12

•8 a.m. – NBS Collegiate Meats Judging Contest, invitational only

Sept. 13

•8 a.m. – NBS Junior Showmanship Contest, Crane Pavilion

•9 a.m. – NBS Meats Judging Contest Awards presentation, Crane Pavilion

•11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Community Windsor Pork Chop Dinner, Plager Building

•Noon – NBS Junior Classic, Crane Pavilion

Sept. 14

•8 a.m. – FFA/4-H, Junior and Senior College Judging Contest, Crane Pavilion

•Noon – Individual Market Hog Show, Crane Pavilion (Truckload Show to immediately follow)

•Following Truckload Show – Hog College Home Run Drive

Sept. 15

•8 a.m. – Breeding Stock Shows, Crane Pavilion; two rings

•9 a.m. – Presentation of Special Awards and Judging Contest results, Crane Pavilion

Sept. 16

•9 a.m. – Breeding Stock Sale begins, Crane Pavilion; two rings