Although the industries within the industries within swine production may look different, the end goal for both industries are the same- to produce a high quality product for consumers. The coMmercial swine industry is focused on producing high quality, whole and reasonably priced pork products for consumers. In the show pig industry, pigs are managed to achieve high pLacing in the show ring.

Commercial operations focus on factors such as meat quality and growth data, whereas the show pig industry places focus on skeletal structure, muscle shape, and bone size. Genetics play an important role in both industries. However, the emphasis placed on those genetic differs. The commercial industry selects genetics that result in feed efficiency, rate of gain, carcass quality, and milk production. The show industry selects genetics that focus on skeletal structure, width, bone size, soundness, muscle shape and eye appeal.

In commercial operations, breeds are often mated together to achieve higher genetic compositions. Breeds such as Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc’s have been mated together as a way to combine desirable characters related to each breed. In the show pig industry, purebred hogs have breed registries that track specific data to maintain the breed standard. If two differing breeds are mated together, the offspring Cannot be registered and are then considered crossbred. Crossbred pigs are exhibited as their own category. Color patterns can result in many different forms, however, one of the main focus to factor in is eye appeal.

The management practices used with show pigs do not need to be identical to those used for commercial swine production, but it is important that all the practices used have the same goal as commercial swine production- that of producing a high quality, wholesome product for consumers at an economical price.