University News
Students Sweep National Barrow Show
October 12, 2005
MACOMB, IL Western Illinois University agriculture students traveled to the National Barrow Show in Austin, MN in September and took the competition by storm, creating a new record for the show and for Western.
The livestock judging team was ranked third high team overall and second in reasons. Two senior Western agriculture students, Matt Shultz of Annawan (IL) and Dustin Bauer of Macomb (IL) won as top 10 individuals overall. Other WIU seniors participating included Jerry Driscoll of Annawan (IL); Tyler Pierson of Kewanee (IL); Mike Roach of Sycamore (IL); Tricia Galloway of Rolla (MO); and Chad Shute of Ottawa (IL).
An additional group of students took three truckloads of hogs, which consists of six market hogs evaluated on consistency and quality, according to Mark Hoge, agriculture associate professor and team adviser. The purebred Yorkshire hogs were the champion purebred load, while the lightweight and heavyweight crossbred loads won their classes. Overall, the heavyweight load was named champion and the Yorkshire load was selected as the reserve champion. Presenting the truckloads were agriculture students Michael Harrell, a sophomore from Carthage (IL); Derek Stayton, a junior from Carlinville (IL); Eric Brunton, a sophomore from Kewanee (IL); James Thompson, a junior from Brownville (IL); and Blane Olson, a junior from Elkhart (IL).
This show was a huge success for Western. There were more than 30 truckloads entered from across the nation by prominent breeders and other universities, Hoge said. In more than 50 years of the competition one organization has never accomplished a sweep like this. Needless to say it was a great day for Western.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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