Champion - Houston Livestock Show Barrow Carcass Contest

Just got word today that a Crane-bred pig won the 2012 Houston Livestock Show's Barrow Carcass Contest! This pig was shown by Steleigh Thompson of Tulia, Texas. You may remember this duo from our earlier posts...this pig won Class 4 - Lightweight Hamps at this year's Houston Livestock Show.

RAIL: Champion Barrow Carcass - 2012 Houston Livestock Show
RING: Class Winner - Class 4 - Lightweight Hamps

What does a Champion Carcass title mean?
For some breeders, a carcass title isn't much....as it doesn't give you a banner, a trophy, or a flashy photo to use for advertising.

But, for Crane Show Pigs it is a BIG DEAL.
It just goes to prove - once again - that our pigs are the REAL DEAL.
These pigs are full of muscle, the result of outstanding genetics... and not from man-made products.

Crane-bred pigs have what it takes to compete in both the ring, AND the rail.

Last year, a Crane-bred pig took home Reserve Champion honors in the 2011 San Antonio Livestock Show's Carcass Contest. That pig, was the Division Champion - Lite Crossbreds, and was shown by Daniel Poage of Levelland, Texas.

RAIL: Reserve Champion Carcass - 2011 San Antonio Livestock Show
RING: Division Champion - Lite Crossbreds
Carcass Contest Results: HERE

Carcass results for the 2012 Houston Livestock Show's contest are determined by Texas A&M University. You can see the full results, HERE - including how this Crane-bred pig stacked up against the show's Grand and Reserve Champion market barrows.

The Champion Carcass data is from the Texas A&M Meat Lab website:

Grand Champion Barrow Carcass

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, 2012

Exhibited by: Steleigh Thompson, Swisher Co. 4-H

Trait	Value
Live weight, lb	240
Carcass weight, lb	182.5
Dressing percent	76.0%
Average backfat thickness, in.	1.36
10th rib fat thickness, in.	0.55
Loin eye area, in. sq.	9.5
Muscle score	3
USDA Yield Grade	1.0
% Muscle	60.25%