COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University placed second and third at National Barrow Show truckload contest on Sept. 10 after their first year competing. Ohio State was one of ten exhibitors that brought a total of 14 truckloads of market hogs to the competition in Austin, Minn., where they were evaluated on live based on uniformity, then harvested and ranked according to lean value and carcass quality. The purebred Berkshire hogs were raised at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center – Western Branch in South Charleston, Ohio, overseen by Dr. Steve Moeller. These animals were part of an undergraduate research project conducted by judging team member, Kyle Nickles of Loudonville, Ohio. His research was executed under the supervision of Dr. Dustin Boler and judging coach Kyle Culp. Culp said he was excited that Ohio State performed so well in their first year competing and looks forward to seeing more participation in future shows. Ohio State graduate students Ben Bohrer, Josh Kyle and Kelsey Little and members of the 2012 Livestock Judging Team assisted with data collection and overall preparations for the show. Kalmbach Feeds donated feed for the project. Other grooming and fitting supplies were provided by Benich Family Show Supply in Plymouth, Ohio. For more information about the OSU Livestock Judging Team, please contact Kyle Culp at culp.1045@osu.ed or 614-247-8976.