Swine Discovery - Judging - Crossbred Barrows

Written Reasons

Crossbred Barrows Eric Schafer

My alignment of the crossbred barrows is 3142 and in a competitive top pair of hogs that have their tradeoffs, it’s the basic build of the blue belted 3 pig that allows him to surface for me. He’s biggest scaled, pounds heavy barrow that puts the most muscle and width over the deepest most robust rib cage, while still being sound and giving you a high quality look from the side. Now sure, the neatest necked, most attractive barrow that is the most extreme in his muscle shape comes in the crinkle ear belted 1 hog. But I still keep him second as he just lacks the total pounds and correct body type needed to win. 

Still it’s far easier to keep that much muscle and look in my top pair. In the middle, he’s the barrow that’s the most elevated at his blade and extended from that point forward. While still working the biggest groove down his top and having the most bulge to his ham, which should allow him to rail a leaner higher value carcass. For what it’s worth the other blue hog in class is bolder and deeper bodied, but I never considered getting him in my top pair as he’s just too short, compact and over conditioned.

However, it’s when I remind myself that this is a muscle driven industry that I’ll keep him third. Not only is he bolder bladed and stouter featured, but he feeds out of the backside of his shoulder with more true muscle and dimension and carries this advantage back to his ham which will allow him to bust open larger at his tenth and yet he’s still the more agile hog while in motion. Sure that Calico hog paints a pretty picture from the side. He’s as tall shouldered, neat necked and as good designed as any in drive. But one step away and you realize he’s not only the poorest in motion, but he’s by far the flattest and narrowest barrow in class that needs more power and raw product to get off the bottom. 

Thank you