AJC Show/Sale Entries
AJC Berkshires is proud to now have the third generation participating in national shows and sales. Adam and Al started AJC Berkshires and along with many other Conover family members, enjoy the wonderful opportunities that come along with exhibiting livestock.
Annually, we participate in the Iowa State Fair and National Barrow Show, and consider other options as our schedules allow. There is a rich tradition for our family to raise and sell Berkshire hogs and in 2023, Al and Adam celebrated 36 consecutive years exhibiting Berkshires at the Iowa State Fair.
Annually, we participate in the Iowa State Fair and National Barrow Show, and consider other options as our schedules allow. There is a rich tradition for our family to raise and sell Berkshire hogs and in 2023, Al and Adam celebrated 36 consecutive years exhibiting Berkshires at the Iowa State Fair.
As we align our calendars for 2024 we look forward to showcasing our breeding program at the CPS Summer Type Conference, Iowa State Fair and National Barrow Show. Stay tuned for a list of our Berkshire and Yorkshire entries for the CPS Summer Type Conference in Springfield, IL.
2023 National Barrow Show Entries
We came in strong with 20+ hogs in Austin, MN for the 2023 National Barrow Show Open Shows September 10-11. Entries included a full string from AJC Berkshires (four boars and four gilts), one bred gilt from AJC Berkshires, one boar from Bonnie Acres, one gilt from Lillie Conover, a truckload from AJC Berkshires as well as three bred gilts from AJYC Yorkshires. Here is additional information about our 2023 entries:
AJC3 Namatjira 7-10Registration #: 183664010
Born: 2/14/23 AJC0 Diamond Lad 14-1 x A3C6 Namatjira 3-4 (MGS) “7-10” ranked as the #1 Indexing gilt in our early 2023 contemporary group. Her dam “6-1” is the dam of “Icon” and “Icon II” selected by Shipley Swine Genetics. Additionally, “6-1” is sired by A3C6 Namatjira 3-4 a herd sire built by the breeding mind of Al Christian. Her foundation dam, A3C9 Belle 4-5, is an own daughter of AJC4 Black Stallion 4-1 out of IASU4 Hustle Belle L51 50-5. IASU3 Line 51 39-9, the sire of “50-5”, was the #1 Super Sire in the 2005 National Barrow Show Progeny Test, as well as the sire of the Champion & Reserve Champion truckloads at the 2005 Iowa State Fair World Barrow Show. “Hustle Belle 50-5” was an Iowa State University Teaching Farm, World Pork Expo entry purchased by AJC Berkshires. Her first litter was sired by CCV0 Stallion 16-4 and produced AJC5 Lion 1-2. “Lion” went on to be a 100% award winning meat quality sire in 2009. He also sired the dam of AJC3 War Horse 9-3, who was #1 rate of gain sire in the 2014 National Barrow Show Progeny Test (ADG 1.97). “Lion’s” genetic potency surfaced again the following year as being the maternal grandsire of AJC4 Trojan Horse, whose son, AJC6 Trojan Horse 3-2 sired our 2018 Progeny Pen. That 2018 Progeny Test data overwhelmed the meat quality world posting results of 6.10 ultimate pH, 8.29 Juiciness, 8.43 Tenderness. The results of “6-1’s” first litter, with 12 born, sired by AJC8 War Horse 7-8 became the dam of “Icon” and “Icon II” where this story began. “7-10’s” paternal grandsire and maternal grandam are graduates of the National Progeny Pen Test. |
AJC3 Hustle Belle 25-9Registration #: 183671009
Born: 3/24/23 AJC0 Diamond Lad 14-3 x AJC8 Warhorse 7-2 (MGS) “25-9” ranked as the #1 Indexing gilt in our second contemporary group of 2023, also a litter mate boar ranked #1 amongst the male contemporaries and three out of this litter have surfaced as 2023 National Barrow Show entries. A big-time production gilt with added muscle and bone in a very attractive package. The dam of the 25 litter has proven to be one of the greatest producing sows in AJC Berkshires history in terms of fertility and mothering ability. “25-9” has the look and can be your next great producer. Her sire is truly a rugged power hog, and her paternal & maternal grandsires have both been National Progeny Pen Tested. |
AJC3 Hustle Belle 25-10Registration #: 183671010
Born: 3/24/23 AJC0 Diamond Lad 14-3 x AJC8 Warhorse 7-2 (MGS) A littermate to our top indexing gilt & boar in their respective, and one of the strongest ever, contemporary groups, all coming to the National Barrow Show. “25-10” ranked 12th in the forementioned contemporary group. If putting in a sow family is on your “to do” list, consider owning both 25 litter gilts as foundation females. Impeccable breed character, extra broody and a beautiful underline in this package. This gilt’s paternal & maternal grandsires have both been tested in the National Progeny Pen Test. |
AJC3 Hustle Belle 28-10Registration #: 183672010
Born: 4/8/23 AJC War Horse 1-1 x AJC8 Warhorse 7-4 (MGS) Here is a very young April 8th gilt that has always had a strong Berkshire look. Her pedigree is full of Progeny Pen Data. Her great grandsire “7-3”and maternal grandsire “7-4” are littermates. Their dam had 6 pigs in our 2018 pen that overwhelmed the meat quality world posting scores of 6.10 ultimate pH, 8.29 Juiciness, 8.43 Tenderness. This female is the first litter of her sire’s, and his dam belongs to one of AJC’s original sow families, the “Sterling Ladies.” We foresee lots of success in this gilt’s future. Both her paternal and maternal grandsires have been tested in the National Progeny Pen Test. |
AJC3 Hustle Belle 29-10Registration #: 183673010
Born: 4/9/23 AJC2 Balto 38-2 x AJC0 Diamond Lad 14-3 (MGS) This young female is the real deal, her dam is a littermate to the 2022 National Barrow Show boar entry purchased by Real McCoy Genetics, OH. A great structured gilt with a look that we believe can take any program nationwide to a new level. Note she is very young and is one of her sire’s very first litters. Her great paternal & maternal grandsires have both been tested in the National Progeny Pen Test. |
AJC3 Warhorse 10-1Registration #: 183406001
Born: 2/27/23 AJC1 Warhorse 5-7 x AJC8 Warhorse 7-6 (MGS) A very complete young herd sire tailor made for the performance Berkshire industry. We’ve always admired his added length, soundness, top shape in a later maturing package. He is a littermate to our popular 2023 Iowa State Fair entries and both grandsires have been tested through the National Progeny Pen Test. Call Dallas McDermott (Biotronics Inc.), for his opinion 712-579-1615. |
AJC3 Tex 11-1Registration #: 183665001
Born: 2/28/23 TSS1 L12 Tex 20-7 x AJC9 Trojan Horse 14-4 (MGS) “11-1” could be the “crossover” boar of our generation appealing to a broad spectrum of breeders’ with his proven meat quality & performance tested pedigree, his ultra stylish build and universal frame size. He is part of the first pig crop out of our highly anticipated new junior herd sire “Tex 20-7”, both of his grandsires were tested through the National Progeny Pen Test with a high degree of success, and we feel he is one of the “must see” boars’ of 2023 season. |
BA3 Diamond Lad 18-1Registration #: 183663001
Born: 3/7/23 AJC0 Diamond Lad 14-3 x AJC8 Warhorse 7-8 (MGS) This boar’s functional design, super bone/foot size, length of top and performance make us believe his is the kind to build a sow herd out of. He also holds the title of our 2nd high Indexing boar in our 2nd contemporary group of 2023. Additionally, his mother is the dam of “Icon” and “Icon II” selected by Shipley Swine Genetics, OH. We think this boar’s value in a pedigree will be felt long after the first pig crop is born. His paternal grandsire has been tested through the National Progeny Pen Test. Call Dallas McDermott (Biotronics Inc.), for his opinion 712-579-1615. |
AJC3 Diamond Lad 25-5Registration #: 183671005
Born: 3/24/23 AJC0 Diamond Lad 14-3 x AJC8 Warhorse 7-2 (MGS) This is a power hog with extra foot size and muscle, wrapped up in an excellent breed character package. Don’t underestimate his breeding ability, we believe in “25-5’s” sire & dam and are confident he can leave a big impact. His sire, paternal dam and maternal grandsire have been tested through the National Progeny Pen Test. |
Yorkshire Bred Gilt
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Yorkshire Bred Gilt
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Yorkshire Bred Gilt
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AJC3 Hustle Belle 22-5 (Boar)Registration #: 183670005
Born: 3-8-23 TSS1 L12 Tex 20-7 x AJC8 Warhorse 7-3 (MGS) His sire, TSS1 L12 Tex 20-7, bred by Seybold Berkshires, Wilcox, NE, is sired by the #1 Super Sire and #2 Prime Meat Quality sire, only to be beaten by .02 in the 2022 Progeny Pent Test. His dam, AJC1 Hustle Belle 7-9, is sired by AJC8 Warhorse 7-3, who has also been progeny tested. The dam of 7-3 had 6 pigs in the 2018 Progeny Test that overwhelmed the meat quality world, posting results of 6.10 ultimate PH, 8.29 juiciness and 8.43 tenderness. Have fun making money with this guy, selling high meat quality Berkshire pork, suited for white table-clothed restaurants. |
Berkshire Bred Gilt
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AJC Purebred Berkshire TruckloadTruckloads are an adventure! With data collection in mind, this is a favorite contest for Al and Adam who annually strive to compete in this division. Raising and keeping a uniform truckload together is an exhilarating challenge. Below are seven pedigrees with the final decision of which six head into the ring to be a game-time decision for the AJC team.
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