Austin will again be host to the National Barrow Show in 2019.

The 73rd edition of The World Series of Swine Shows is set to be held Sept. 7-10, at the Mower County Fairgrounds in Austin. Many of the nation’s top breeding boars and foundation females, purebred breeds and collegiate judging teams will participate in the event.

This year’s hog show will feature a few modifications, including consolidation of the purebred shows and sales to one day. Another change involves the addition of another purebred breed, bringing the total number of breeds to nine.

The four-day show begins Saturday, Sept. 7, with the fifth consecutive NBS Collegiate Meats Judging Contest hosted by Hormel Foods Corporation. At 4 p.m., the Junior Showmanship Contest gets underway.

On Sunday, Sept. 8, events start at 8 a.m. at the fairgrounds with an awards presentation for the Collegiate Meats Judging Contest. At 8:30 a.m., the NBS Junior Classic Market Hog Show starts, followed by the NBS Junior Classic breeding gilt event at 4 p.m.

Also on Sunday, the community Windsor pork chop dinner will be held. The fund-raising dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Plager Building.

The collegiate judging contest starts Monday at 8 a.m., preceding the 4-H and FFA judging contest. The day also features the individual Market Hog Show, the truckload show and Hog College Home Run Drive, concluding with an awards ceremony for the collegiate judging contest.

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, the NBS breeding stock shows for nine purebred breeds and crossbred hogs begin at 7:30 a.m. Breeds represented are Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, Poland China, Spotted, Yorkshire and the newest breed, Hereford. The sale of the purebred breeds and crossbred boars and gilts follow the shows.

The public is invited to attend any of the National Barrow Show activities. The show is 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 area residents and representatives from several organizations, including the Mower County Fair Board, Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, and Discover Austin.

For more information about this year’s show schedule and exhibiting, contact the specific breed office at the following websites: National Swine Registry at www.nationalswine.com; American Berkshire Association at www.americanberkshire.com; and Certified Pedigreed Swine at www.cpsswine.com.

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Saturday

4 p.m.: NBS Junior Showmanship Contest, Crane Pavilion

Sunday8 a.m.: Collegiate Meat Contest Awards Ceremony

8:30 a.m.: Junior Classic Market Hog Show, Crane Pavilion; Junior Classic Breeding Gilt Show, Crane Pavilion

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Windsor Pork Chop Dinner, Plager Building

Monday

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

1 p.m.: FFA/4-H Judging Contest Awards, Crane Pavilion

1 p.m.: Individual Market Hog Show, Crane Pavilion; Truckload Show, Crane Pavilion; Hog College Home Run Drive, Crane Pavilion; Presentation of Special Awards and Judging Contest results, Crane Pavilion

Tuesday

7:30 a.m: Breeding Stock Show, Crane Pavilion, (two rings); Two Hours after breeding stock show concludes — Breeding Stock Sale begins, Crane Pavilion. (two rings)