National Barrow Show canceled amid COVID-19 concerns

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National Barrow Show canceled amid COVID-19 concerns

The 2020 National Barrow Show in Austin, Minnesota has been canceled amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns.  The National Swine Registry made the announcement on Tuesday. 

Grant Grebner, livestock judging coach at Illinois Central College says they’re disappointed.  “The National Barrow Show and the workouts are so much of a tradition for so many young, aspiring livestock judges as their first competition in the fall,” he says.  “We’re going to have to reevaluate and figure out what our plans will be.”

But, he tells Brownfield, they understand the need to cancel the event.  “We’re in unprecedented times with the global pandemic,” he says.  “I’m sure Hormel, the National Swine Registry, and everyone involved put a lot of thought and deep concern into the cancelation of an event that has so much tradition behind it.”

The event was scheduled for September 12-15. 

The National Swine Registry says due to the constant changes regarding COVID-19 they’re working to create contingency plans regarding future events. The National Barrow Show is one of the premier events in the purebred swine industry, in addition, collegiate livestock judging teams from across the country compete in its annual swine judging contest.

The National Barrow Show has only been canceled a handful of times since it began in 1927, the most recent was in 2001 due to concerns over foot and mouth disease.

AUDIO: Grant Grebner, Illinois Central College

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