Snowy Roads Fail to Deter Charity Success at Brandon Hog Show

The Brandon Hog & Poultry Show took place on December 9, 2023, at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, despite challenging snowy road conditions. The event attracted a strong turnout of producers and showcased the commitment of the farming community to supporting local charities. By the end of the day, a total of 52 carcasses, weighing over 4,600 kilograms, were donated to local food banks, alongside more than $16,500 raised through the auction of champion entries.

The highlight of the show was the competition for the best pork quality, where Sprucewoods of Brookedale, Manitoba, secured first place. Other notable finishes included Northern Breeze from Portage la Prairie in second, Starlight from Starbuck in third, Cascade near MacGregor in fourth, and Waldheim Colony from Elie rounding out the top five. This year’s participants demonstrated exceptional quality, with over 20% of carcasses achieving the top index score of 116, a testament to the producers’ stewardship.

Doug Cramer, the organizer of the event and owner of Cramer Expo and Event Management, expressed gratitude for the turnout, especially considering the weather conditions. His company stepped in after previous organizers discontinued the show, revitalizing it with enthusiasm and commitment. Cramer noted, “The charity auction was outstanding,” emphasizing the impact of the funds raised for local organizations.

Judging the pork quality competition was Jason Care, who has overseen the event for two decades. Care remarked on the high standards set by this year’s entries, noting the detailed scoring system employed to evaluate each carcass based on factors such as backfat, loin size, belly size, colour, and weight. He explained, “I take photos as I split the carcasses so producers can see their tattoo numbers. Weight is also a key part of the score.”

The competition’s popularity is evident, as more producers participated this year than last, despite adverse weather. Care credited East 40 Packers Ltd. for providing essential processing support, ensuring the event ran smoothly.

Participants like Loren Hofer from Sprucewoods Colony attributed their success to meticulous management and teamwork. “A lot of hard work goes into becoming the champion,” Hofer said, highlighting the importance of precision feeding and animal welfare. His father, Larry Hofer, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for good nutrition and collaboration among the team.

Trevor Hofer shared insights into their selection process for competition pigs, explaining that they closely monitor a few candidates leading up to the event. “Teamwork makes the dream work,” he stated, underlining the collective effort that drives their farm’s success.

The atmosphere at the event was buoyed by optimism within the farming community, as noted by Mark Fynn, director of quality assurance and animal care programs at Manitoba Pork. He observed a keen interest among producers to learn and connect despite the winter storm. Fynn highlighted ongoing barn construction and renovation plans, indicating a positive outlook for the industry.

As the day concluded, Cramer confirmed the event’s future, stating, “We’ll be back in two years.” The overwhelming success of the Brandon Hog & Poultry Show not only underscored the dedication of local producers but also reinforced the importance of agricultural events in fostering community support and charitable initiatives.