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.  

While most of your time at The Exposition will be spent in the barn making memories with those who share in your same passions, soon enough you will be desperate for some AC and a bite to eat! We may all know Iowa for its booming pork production and more specifically, Des Moines for its infamous fairgrounds, but what you may not know is that the city houses a few places that are sure to satisfy your inner foodie.

Packing for long trips and pig shows can be stressful, but making a detailed packing list can provide some ease. Before opening up your suitcase to pack, you might consider opening up your notes app and creating a packing list of things you possibly need for The Exposition. To successfully conquer Expo – and the HEAT – follow along for an itemized list of what you don’t want to forget.  

Giving back and supporting local communities is a huge part of what makes the livestock industry so special. Whether that is through your time, money, or donations, it all matters and makes a difference. As we head into a new show season, take some time to think of ways your project can be used to give back once your time showing your animal is complete. There are places in multiple states that allow you to donate pork for families in need.

We are excited to announce the addition of three summer interns at The Wendt Group!

Every now and then, the stars align to create a moment and memory of a lifetime. That is exactly what happened for Sage Bearden and her most recent accomplishment. Hard work, persistence, and bit of luck came together in a perfect storm as she was named the Grand Champion Market Barrow at the 2023 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

You have a new set in the barn. It’s time to set some goals for your year! Setting goals is crucial because they provide direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose with your project.

All-Star Camp is a five-day immersive leadership experience that is unlike anything currently being offered in our industry. But, it's definitely not for everyone! Here's a little primer to give you a glimpse of what camp is and isn't.  

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The holidays are a time full of joy and laughter with family. Picking out the perfect presents for each of your loved ones can be stressful. Lucky for you, we have assembled the ultimate stock show gift guide. Whether it’s a handmade banner showcasing your kiddo’s favorite win or a piece of jewelry they have been eyeing for a while, you can find it all here!