Pig Competition History

The RAS pig competition is amongst the oldest, dating back to the Society’s second annual Show, held in 1824. That year prizes were offered for the ‘best Colonial bred Boar pig, not exceeding 2 years old’ and ‘best Colonial bred Sow Pig, not exceeding 2 years old’.  Both were won by Mr John Pye.

By 1858 classes had only slightly expanded to: Best & Second-Best Boar, Sow or Fat Pig.

Pigs were classified as Colonial bred in their section until 1869 when they were then divided into classes organised by size – large breed, small breed, and any other kind.  Long-bodied breeds were later included. These classifications reflect the wider state of pig breeding at the time, as distinctive, named breeds were only just being to emerge in Britain.

In 1870 Fat Pigs appeared as a separate class, and in 1872 specific breeds of pigs were judged for the first time in classes further delineated by size. By 1881 classes were organised by size and colour (black or white), and in 1888 Fat Pigs were divided into Bacon Pigs and Porkers for the first time.

A prize for the heaviest pig was given in 1892, 1896 and 1899-1902.

Outbreaks of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) caused the cancellation of the competition in 1904-1905, 1927-1929, and 1962-1963.

Today exhibitors compete across major breed sections such as Berkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, Large Black, Large White, Tamworth and Wessex Saddleback. Championships are awarded for boars, sows, supreme exhibits, progeny groups, and commercial bacon and pork classes.

Timeline for the introduction of breeds and competitions:

Note: some breeds may have been exhibited earlier before breed-specific classes were introduced.