In a move that is poised to take strides towards bridging the gap between diverse stakeholders within the pork industry, Jesse Heimer—a recognized figure within the show pig community—has been recently appointed to the National Pork Board (NPB). This pivotal appointment marks a significant step toward a greater alignment and understanding between the show pig and commercial segments of the industry. Read more about the process and the impact Heimer will have in the fight to bridge the gap between all facets of our swine industry.

“I got my start in the show pig industry when I was 9 years old after my Dad bought me a few sows, whose offspring I competed with at the county fair. When I first started in this industry, my main goal was to win my county fair and produce boars. As I've grown older, my goals have evolved. While I still aim to win as much as possible, I now also focus on targeting and succeeding at different shows across the country.” A perfect blend of competitive spirit with a love for the show pig industry, our latest #HowTheyWork article comes from Seth Keplinger, of Keplinger Farms.

At Showpig, we understand the ever-evolving landscape of the show pig industry. In response to your needs and requests, we are thrilled to introduce our new Sales Advisor Team. This dedicated team is here to provide you with expert guidance and customized solutions to help grow your business. We look forward to partnering with you and enhancing our services to support your success. At Showpig, your best interests as a business owner are always at the heart of what we do.

“Our goal since day one still remains the same… we want to see families united, and families reach their goals together.” Fueled by faith, show pigs and a commitment to the youth industry, we sat down with the family members of Danner Livestock to learn more about #HowTheyWork. Dive into the day to day, the achievements, the struggles and the goals of a prolific show pig operation.

Showmanship. As an exhibitor, it is the one time you will step into the ring where the only thing that matters is your talent and your ability. So what makes a good showman? Showmanship judge Emily Miller was kind enough to give us a rundown of her personal Showmanship Do's for the next time you step into the ring. Whether you are just starting out or the most seasoned showman, find helpful showmanship reminders from a nationally recognized evaluator.

For many Americans, the Fourth of July means early afternoon BBQs with friends and family that turn into watching fireworks light up the sky much past their bedtime. But in our industry, it is common that the Fourth of July is accompanied by the sound of gates closing and pigs squealing, while the smell of sawdust is stronger than the smell of any hotdog. We know those celebrating the holiday from the NJSA National Junior Summer Spectacular (NJSS) may be too busy to think about where to catch some fireworks after the show is over, so we compiled 5 local firework shows that are a short distance from the fairgrounds. Take a look!

Have you ever wondered what it takes to pull off the national and regional shows we all love to attend? A big part of the success can be accredited to the junior board members who serve the National Junior Swine Association and Team Purebred! Showpig.com had the privilege to sit down and talk with NJSA Junior Board President, Paige Vierra, and Team Purebred Junior Board President, Grayson Tedrow, to learn more about the amazing work both junior organizations put into our youth and youth events. Learn more about the day in the life of a junior board member here!

Do you need help packing for your next show? If you're getting ready to leave for The Exposition, or any other show this summer, but struggling with what all to pack for the week, this blog is just for you! We know that packing for a national show can be a daunting task, especially when preparing for the whole family. Having traveled the country showing pigs for 15 years, the Sponcil family from Greenfield, Ohio, has some great tips so you don’t forget a thing!

Join the Showpig team in welcoming our 2024 summer interns! We are proud to have Abi Lilliard of Abilene, Kansas, Kiley Allen of Le Mars, Iowa, and Grace Ahrens of Canal Winchester, Ohio, serving the Showpig.com Marketing & Events team.

It’s that time of the year. You have spent hours searching, traveling, and bidding on show pigs in the hopes of finding “The One” and now your set is in your barn, and the real fun begins. You want to give your new show projects the best chance to succeed you can. We sat down with Travis Platt of Platt Showpigs to get his top 10 tips on what to do when you get your new show pigs home. Read below to set yourself up for success this show season!

Interning with Showpig.com as the summer events and marketing intern, I was pushed creatively and grew both personally and professionally. If you want to be the best, you have to surround yourself with the best, and the staff at Showpig.com is the BEST. 

Have you ever wondered what would happen in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak? To be honest, it is not an often thought among producers and consumers. At least for Brody Nemecek, a fourth-year student at Kansas State University majoring in animal sciences and industry, he admits it was not something he was particularly worried about.

What would the holidays be without the unbeatable combination of family and delectable food? In the spirit of the festive season, we have gathered a scrumptious selection of recipes from the Showpig family to share with you!

When it comes to showing pigs, exhibitors receive many gifts. Showing pigs is the catalyst for passion to intertwine with purpose, and the opportunity to show goes beyond competition. This experience weaves together responsibility, leadership, and character. The show barn becomes a place to create friendships, nurture a sense of community, and uncover opportunities. It's not just about exhibiting the best livestock; it's about embracing the gifts given to each exhibitor and each family that participates in exhibiting livestock. 

Showpig and the National Pork Board (NPB) are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to enhance and support the show pig industry. This collaboration focuses on delivering practical resources, educational programs, and advocacy support to producers and exhibitors.

Giving back during the holiday season is a wonderful way to spread joy and make a positive impact on your community. Here are six ways to give back this holiday season.

This year was my first summer away from my beloved pig barn. When accepting a position with The Wendt Group as a Showpig.com Summer Events and Marketing Intern, one thing was certain — the long, yet rewarding, days spent on the family farm and inside my safe space, the pig barn, would be few and far between.

In the industry we all know and love there's a constant push to be better every day. Many of us have an internal drive to excel – to raise better livestock, become great competitors, and evolve into better individuals. Becoming better begins with understanding ourselves.

County fairs are an American tradition, offering a blend of community spirit, agriculture exhibition, and youth engagement. One of the longstanding traditions within these fairs is the livestock auction, where young exhibitors have the opportunity to sell their livestock projects. In the case of Scurry County, Texas, what was once a modest auction that merely covered exhibitor costs underwent an extraordinary transformation, raising over $750,000 for their exhibitors.

In a universe bustling with noise and ceaseless clamoring for attention, crafting a personal brand that not only stands out but harmonizes deeply with your audience has become the holy grail of distinction. Amidst this whirlwind, an Instagram post from a dear friend and loyal customer of Lackey Livestock, described the brand as "MAGNETIC."

Lexi Marek Beeler, the owner of LMB Consulting, put herself in the seats of the attendees at Showpig.com’s All-Star Camp and shared five things future leaders should know to become a leader in agriculture. Lexi started sharing her passion for agriculture on social media many years as a show pig exhibitor and she has continued to use her communication skills to pave a diverse career in agriculture. Her experience includes roles at a start-up business, a government agency, a corporate company, and now as an entrepreneur.

Emily Miller, a Marketing Agent for Showpig.com, attended the Texas Pork Industry Conference hosted in Lubbock, Texas, in June of this year. Emily served on a panel which covered topics such as creating effective outreach and sales marketing strategies through communications and social media. We recently caught up with her to tell us more about the conference and her involvement.

“There are no people like #mypeople.” This statement, directly from one of our own, is perhaps one of the most meaningful and commemorated our All-Star’s heard at camp. Most of these kids had never been surrounded by their “people” outside of a livestock show setting. To see these young individuals grow and make deeper connections with their peers, without the company of livestock, was inspiring to say the least.  

Louisville, Kentucky, home of the legendary Kentucky Derby — or in your case, the NJSA Summer Spectacular. While you may only know Louisville for these significant events, it is home to much more than horse racing and pig shows. From barbeque joints to upscale steakhouses, there is variety and selection everywhere.

We know that oftentimes these weeklong pig shows act as your family vacation. You may not be at the beach, but we hope that your time together as a family provides those same memories that would be made elsewhere. While in Springfield, Illinois for the Team Purebred National Junior Show, you can go on vacation with the array of food options available in the city. From Texas barbeque to authentic Italian homestyle cooking and even fresh seafood, Springfield can take you wherever you please.