Streaky Strokers win pig contest
The Wyndham A & P Show’s inaugural pig competition was far from boar-ing.
The Reserve Champion Sow from the New Zealand Horticultural Show, Chops, didn’t get a chance to hog the limelight on Saturday as a saddleback called Boomba brought home the bacon.
Boomba’s win was another victory for the Streaky Strokers syndicate, of which his owner, James North, and Chop’s owner, Marc Robertson, both belong.
They faced some solid competition from the Makin’ Bacon Syndicate but North said he was happy as a pig in muck to get home for the win. ‘‘I’m pretty stoked actually.
‘‘He’s just over five months old and he escaped from my neighbours’ place and we just caught him in the paddock and bred him as our own.’’
And while North may have made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear for this year’s competition, it looks like Boombas’ rein as champion will be shortlived. ‘‘He’s going to end up in the freezer I think.’’
Bev Knapp, of Gore, judged the competition with her husband Lex, who had raised pedigree pigs for 25 years, and said Boomba cut the mustard. ‘‘He’s got a nice long body and a good ham on him.’’
She awarded Tania Milne, of Edendale, the ‘best dressed’ award after she dressed as Miss Piggy to show her two pigs, Trish and Anita.
The pig judging competition was a hit with the big crowd at the annual show, which was blessed with a fine day after thunderstorms and heavy rain hit the Wyndham area on Friday.
Wyndham A & P Association president Nicky Wallace said there were good numbers of entries in the equestrian events and the entries in the cut flower, home baking and produce sections were ‘‘incredible.’’