P2516

Guide to Determine What Weight Show Pig to Buy

Traditionally, the swine show at the Dixie National Junior Round-Up is scheduled for a Saturday near February 1 each year. In 2026, the Dixie National Junior Round-Up Swine Market Hog Show is scheduled for Saturday, February 7.

Each year, many swine exhibitors purchase the pigs they intend to show at the Dixie National Junior Round-Up in Jackson. Some exhibitors purchase pigs at show pig sales, on-farm sales, or from individual producers usually in late September and October. Sometimes they purchase in early November, since the ownership deadline for pigs is December 1, 2025. Don’t wait until November to purchase a pig, because there may not be many left.

To be successful showing pigs, plan before purchasing the show pig.

Careful attention to the pig’s growth rate can identify other management practices that may need attention. If the rate of growth is less than you expect, consider other influences you may need to address, such as health status, animal comfort (housing conditions), and dietary concerns. The information in this publication can help you monitor and adjust the growth of the pig throughout the feeding period before the show. Purchasing a show pig that is the correct weight for the intended show gives you a good beginning to your swine project.

Download the PDF for the full publication.

Publication 2516 (POD-10-25)

Revised by Dean Jousan, PhD, Extension Professor, Animal and Dairy Sciences.