Since the 1950’s, Iowa State has taken pigs to the National Barrow Show (NBS) in Austin, Minn. The tradition lives on this year as Greg Krahn, an adjunct instructor in the Department of Animal Science, leads Iowa State students as they exhibit truckload pigs and breeding stock.

Krahn, who has been an integral part of the program since 2013, has helped lead the Iowa State swine program to success and said that expectations for this year’s show are high.

“We had an exceptional year last year but we always strive for a higher level every year,” Krahn said. “Last year we exhibited the champion Duroc boar and truckload and hope to match those same expectations this year.”

Last September, Iowa State drove a boar, or a male pig usually kept for breeding purposes, to sell for $85,000. To top off the success in the breeding show, Iowa State won the truckload show with their purebred Duroc exhibit.

What sets Iowa State’s swine program apart from others is the incredible support from staff and the community. Two days prior to Iowa State’s departure, Al Christiansen and many other prominent figures in Iowa State’s past visited and offered input on the pigs.

The NBS’s truckload competition draws in entries from all across the country; Iowa State shares a long rivalry with Western Illinois University. Last September, Western Illinois University beat Iowa State in the crossbred truckloads, but Iowa State came back to win overall truckloads with their purebred exhibit.

Instead of a single entry, truckload pigs are an exhibit with five purebred or crossbred pigs. The entry is judged on uniformity of the pigs, muscle quality and structural correctness.

Students started coming out to the swine teaching farms when classes started to help train and feed a barn full of pigs for this year’s show.

Ben Veum, freshman in animal science, has been at the farms nearly every night since Aug. 24, dedicating his time to help make the NBS a success.

“I really enjoy the opportunity that ISU gives to students to work with quality livestock. Iowa State annually takes superior livestock to the NBS and this is a great way to promote ISU on a national level,” Veum said.

Nathan McConnell, a senior in agricultural studies and current employee at the swine teaching farms, has been a huge help to Krahn. He has a passion for the stock show industry and hopes to pursue a career that supports his passion.

“The program at Iowa State gives me a chance to network with people I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise,” McConnell said.

The truckloads show Monday and breeding stock show Tuesday at the NBS. McConnell and Veum will assist in showing the truckload and breeding stock and represent Iowa State.

“It’s truly great to see the kids come out to the farms and dedicate their own time to this project,” Krahn said. “The passion these students have is pretty amazing and keeps me motivated to do my job.”