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!

As show pig producers and exhibitors, loading the trailer and driving to a show is natural. Thousands of pigs are transported daily across the country and even worldwide. While husbandry and health are top of mind when these animals are in motion, the word ‘traceability’ is probably not.

Contrary to much noise you may hear in the marketplace, Showpig.com hosted the first-ever online livestock auction on March 21, 2004. In the 20 years since that first auction, we have seen many different styles and types of sellers succeed, and some struggle to gain footing. We’ve studied the best so you don’t have to, and here are 20 of their most common behaviors.

Selling online gives an operation more visibility and access to a customer base that is almost impossible to reach otherwise. Selling online, especially to those just starting out, can be daunting. Sometimes an operation wants to learn the ropes of selling online before diving in, or they may simply just have a few pigs they want to sell and don’t want to host an online auction, so Showpig.com found a solution.   

Buying livestock online can be daunting and somewhat overwhelming if it’s not something you have a lot of experience doing. Follow these tips to avoid making these common mistakes and make the best of buying online.

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. 

TKO Genetics, a prominent face in the show pig industry, faced the expected challenge of optimizing their marketing strategies in efforts to increase sales revenue. This case study will dive into the collaboration of TKO Genetics and the Showpig.com online platform, showcasing the implementation of innovative marketing tactics that resulted in great success.

On this month’s edition of #HowTheyWork, we caught up with Ben Bobell, owner and operator of Bobell Farms from Lincoln, Illinois. Ben gives an inside look at his operation and even shares some fun facts.

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. 

Upon learning about the impact of Prop 12 on show pig producers, you might find yourself overwhelmed with a wealth of information. To ensure that you, as a producer, stay well-informed and educated, we have recently engaged in a conversation with an established show pig operation regarding their recent experience with the auditing/certification process.

In today’s environment, the agricultural industry is navigating an array of ever-changing rules and regulations industry-wide. For producers, this can be confusing and difficult to strive to keep pace with the evolving landscape. One of the most significant topics currently in the swine industry is Proposition 12. While this proposition is often considered more relevant to the commercial sector, it is vital for those in the show pig industry to recognize that it also applies to them. 

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.

On this month's edition of #HowTheyWork, we caught up with Austin Craig, co-owner and operator of C&C Showpigs from Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Austin gives an inside look at his operation and even shares some fun facts.

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.

Buying and selling pigs is always a priority, but we might as well have fun while we’re at it! Attending the Legends and Dreamers Genetic Sale and Summit on November 29, 2023, is the best excuse for a quick getaway to Nashville. Below is a to-do guide while you join us in Music City.

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.

The list of important things to accomplish in the barn seems to be never-ending. Yet, after pig shows came to a halt in the spring of 2020, that list could be considered a privilege; something we GET to do. No one in the show pig community ever wants to see pig shows stop again. One precaution for our industry to add to the to-do list is to: TRACK YOUR PIGS!

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."

Introducing Rose Family Showpigs, Rock Creek, Ohio, to the Showpig.com buying community.

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.

The Wendt Group, a leading innovator in the livestock auction space, is thrilled to announce the addition of Lexi Marek Beeler, of LMB Consulting, as the new Director of Marketing. With unrivaled passion and love for the livestock industry and a wealth of experience in the marketing landscape, Lexi is poised to steer The Wendt Group toward unparalleled communication and outreach efforts.