Young people take out award in pig pens
It seems knowing nothing about pigs is no hindrance to winning a top award in the pig pens at the New Zealand Agricultural Show in Christchurch.
That’s because many of this year’s pigs were entered by young people more interested in socialising than knowing the finer points of porcine.
The winners of the Rammstein memorial trophy for best commercial boar, a syndicate of young men known as the Greasy Swines, were stumped when asked to name the breed of their award-winning pig, with ‘‘pink’’ being their most accurate description.
The Greasy Swines were one of 27 syndicates, many dressing in matching outfits for the occasion, to enter a pig in the show, boosting entry numbers to a record high of more than 50.
Greasy Swines member Tim Sowman, a manager at Richon Station in Lees Valley, North Canterbury, said the pig, which had been kept at his property, was for sale, with its win probably sparing it from the dinner table. ‘‘It’s a good outing to go to the show. It’s a good social event,’’ Sowman said.
The jump in pig entries was credited to the establishment of the Boar Breeders’ Association by South Canterbury deer farmer James Pearse. This was after Pearse and his brother Henry won with a pig called Rammstein, named after a German heavy metal band, in 2014. ‘‘Groups of friends get together and show a pig. It’s a bit of fun,’’ Pearse said. The syndicates generally buy their pigs as weaners and grow them for the show. Most Boar Breeders’ Association members join for the social events, such as a barbecue and an annual ball which coincide with the show.
A class for commercial pigs was established in honour of Rammstein who was again exhibited this year, with a sponsor contributing a $500 prize. ‘‘Show organisers have been good at getting on board and being supportive,’’ Pearse said.