BRIDGEPORT, Neb. — Around 60 Morrill County kids get together to compete in the swine and sheep show.

The Morrill County Fair held its final 4-H competition with pigs and sheep on July 22nd.

The pig contests include Swine Showmanship and Market Class for Gilt and Barrow pigs.

The Swine co-superintendent Brooks Batt said there are 30 to 40 kids competing in swine and another 20 to 30 competing in sheep.

Batt used to show pigs when he was younger, and this is his third year as co-superintendent of the event. He said the competition teaches kids how to deal with life.

“I enjoy the smile on the kid’s faces when they do good,” Batt said. “The ones who wanted to do better, but they handle it, a good loser is just as good as a good winner.”

This is 10-year-old Preston Miller’s third summer showing pigs. He won Grand Champion in Market Barrow and Reserve Champion in Feeder Gilt.

“When you tap them with your whip it tells them which way to go,” Miller said. “With market, you want to keep the head up, with the whip and the brush it helps keep the head up.”

Miller has two pigs named Oreo and Ginger. Since he entered more than one animal, he will have to sell one of them.

“I spend a lot of time with them, and I’ll miss them,” Miller said, “But I also know that I get my profit out of it, so I’m not too worried about it.”

Miller practices all year long to prepare for the show.

“At home, I practice with them 45 minutes every day, morning and night, so they get used to walking,” Miller said.

Batt said 4-H is very important in the Panhandle because Agriculture is the largest industry.


“I think it’s very important it helps build leadership for future,” Batt said. “They learn responsibility, good sportsmanship, and citizenship.”