Adam Kroksh took home the Grand Champion ribbon and trophy for his market gilt in the 2007 Plymouth County Swine Show. [Click to enlarge]

The smile spoke more than words as Adam Kroksh, Akron, knelt in the pen alongside his market gilt, the grand champion of the 2007 Plymouth County Fair Swine Show.

Kroksh, 12, a member of the Portland Preston Pillars 4-H Club, had earlier in the day, seen his entry take top market gilt honors in the 265-275 pound competition. And, adding yet another trophy to his day's winnings, he'd also shown the reserve champion carcass barrow, winner in the 250 - 260 pound class.

Jessica Webster, Akron, another Portland Preston Pillars member, had the reserve champion entry of the show with her market barrow.

Champion carcass gilt in the show was shown by Ryan Kuiken, Le Mars, a member of Grant Clever Clovers, with Clint Kessenich, Maurice, Grant Little Giants, showing the reserve winner. Nicole Bottjen, Kingsley, Kinglsey Krowners, exhibited the champion carcass barrow.

Cassie Kuiken, Le Mars, Grant Clever Clovers, exhibited the champion pen of three market gilts with Cody Langel, Le Mars, American Eagles, showing the reserve pen. David Weidauer, Le Mars, American Eagles, took top honors with his pen of three in the market barrow division.

Show Judge Jim Gibson, Panora, selected Kevin Powell, Kingsley-Pierson FFA, as the top senior showmanship winner of the show with Krista Ellensohn, Le Mars, American Eagles, reserve winner.

Top junior showmanship honors went to Melissa Kroksh, Akron, Portland Preston Pillars, and Hannah Kessenich, Le Mars, Grant Little Giants.

Judge Gibson, commending all 2007 exhibitors for their showmanship ability, also praised the quality of entries, some 312 in this year's show. "It's certainly been a good hog show here in Plymouth County," Gibson said.

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"We've had," Gibson said, "some really good hogs top to bottom, particularly towards the top end. We've seen some really good hogs," Gibson said, "hogs that are really stout and powerful with a lot of muscle and are yet lean and really functional."

Gibson who noted that he has judged nearly a dozen 4-H shows this season had this to say about the expertise of young exhibitors evident in the Plymouth County event

"Some of these exhibitors have," he said, "a really good understanding of exactly what a good hog is, and what's expected of themselves as showman.

"This is an educational process, and some are still learning, " Gibson added, "and hopefully, through shows such as this, they can pick up pointers and improve their showmanship ability. For those at every level, however, participation in these events is a positive experience."

Trophy donors for the 2007 Swine Show included: Plymouth County Pork Producers, Gengler Feed Service, Remsen; ADM Alliance Nutrition, Le Mars; Stabe Auction & Realty, Hinton; JBS Swine, Akron; American National Bank, Le Mars; Union Farms, Inc., Kingsley; Plymouth Feed Co., Le Mars; Deer Creek Pork, Kingsley; Pat & Judy Kenaley, Jefferson, SD; John & Carol Schneider, Le Mars; Bill & Joan Tentinger, Le Mars; Tri-State Livestock Auction, Sioux Center; and Le Mars Ag Center, Le Mars.