Feature breed Landrace proves strong competitor in pig interbreed judging

The Blenkiron family's Gumshire stud at Keyneton was the star performer in this year's feature breed judging at the Show with their Landraces proving hard to beat.

It caps off a stellar year of showing for the Blenkirons, following their supreme win at the Sydney Show.

Judge John Singh, Bangalow, NSW, was full of praise for the Gumshire stud's stock.

And Mr Singh is a man who knows his pigs very well, celebrating 50 years in the industry in 2025.

Fittingly, Mr Singh actually started off in the industry in 1975 with the Landrace breed. He then went on to breed Large Whites, Hampshires, Berkshires and Durocs.

Mr Singh also brought 30 years of judging experience into the ring, and it was his third time judging at Adelaide.

He said the best of breed sow - Gumshire Princess R9 - had all the traits he was looking for in the Landrace breed, with outstanding depth.

It was sired by Gumshire Calesh H992 and was out of Gumshire Princess M4230.

The best of breed weighed 100 kilograms at 145 days of age, with an average daily weight gain of 690 grams and fat depth of 10 millimetres.

Gumshire Princess R9 also won junior grand champion sow of all breeds.

The Blenkirons also won junior and champion boar, as well as both reserves in the boar champions.

Mr Singh was particularly impressed with how Gumshire's junior and champion boar moved.

"He's good on his legs and walks very well," he said.

There was a triumphant return to the ring for Ray Rudiger, Yarac stud, Karoonda.

It's been almost a decade since Yarac showed at the Adelaide Show.

Mr Rudiger's workmate Josh Porker was the catalyst for the show return.

"I've been working for Ray for a year and a half," he said.

"I did led steers and goats when I went to Karoonda Area School so I was keen to try showing pigs."

Mr Singh said there was not much between Yarac and Gumshire in the sow champions.

"They're two lovely sows," he said.

Yarac also won the trio of pigs judging - with two sows and boar judged on their evenness and trueness to type.

There was also a fresh face in the Landrace judging, Lewis Pork, from Eudunda.

Always very strong performers in the commercial judging, and Lewis Pork came first in this section again this year.

After taking part in the commercial judging for the past 10 years, Toby Lewis said he decided it was time to try out showing on the stud side. Lewis Pork came away with a red ribbon, coming second to Gumshire in the boar under five months class.

Landrace

Judge: John Singh

Exhibitors: 4

Entries: 20

Most successful exhibitor: The Blenkiron family, Gumshire, Keyneton

Junior and champion boar: Gumshire

Reserve: Gumshire

Junior and champion sow: Gumshire

Reserve: Yarac, Karoonda

Best of breed: Gumshire