By Eve Hyslop
This year the Stine Swine society took out the famed top prize of Best Commercial Boar. Photo: Sean Spencer / Supplied Boar
Young farmers were dressed to impress at the New Zealand Agricultural Show's Supreme Pig event, with more under 18 entries than last year.
To participate in the competition, groups must present their pig to the judges looking its best. And the farmers must look good too.
Boar Breeders Association president Sean Spencer said the event has grown in popularity in recent years. But all they need now are the crowds.
Boar Breeders Association president Sean Spencer poses with a pig at the NZ Agricultural Show. Photo: Eve Hyslop / Supplied
Spencer thinks it's the young farmers who can inspire this.
"Our young rural people could kick-start that, considering the number of under 18 entries have tripled since last year. Last year the event had two entries which has grown to six this year."
Spencer said the rural sector is tough for young people right now, so the competition is a great opportunity to get them off the farm and into the spirit of camaraderie.
"It's tough. There's a lot of opportunities and options and sentiment isn't always that great working in the rural sector but I suppose events like this bring people together and gives people the confidence that there's still a lot of support and interest there."
Young farmers are especially enthusiastic about the best-dressed section.
Not often do you see a pig and its owner wearing matching outfits.
"Something we started out as a bit of a laugh has really grown and that builds the camaraderie and support around the whole event," Spencer said.
Spencer also sits on the Agricultural Shows' committee. He said they're vying for more support for the pig event to help ensure its future.
"We've just gotta make it more of a spectacle. I think our event is great and we get a big following, but if we could have a big centre stage and get 500 people around viewing, it'd be fantastic."
Spencer said the best part of Show Day for him is the celebrations that follow the busy morning of elbow grease.
"It's about seeing everyone enjoy themselves at the show and I can only imagine everyone else is really making a week of it as well. They won't just be here for that day, they'll be making a whole weekend of it to catch up with friends and family."
This year, the Stine Swine society took out the famed top prize of Best Commercial Boar.