Symbol of Excellence


The Symbol of Excellence (SOE) program was initiated in 1984 as a joint effort between the MSU Extension Service and Montana Pork Producers Council as a means of recognizing youth and swine breeders who select and raise market hogs that meet carcass merit standards and who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in producing quality pork products. Data collected on over 2200 head annually demonstrates the dramatic progress that has been made in the quantity and quality of pork obtained from modern hogs.

The program is an educational program that incorporates carcass and ultrasound information to the production experience of raising a hog and the competition experience of exhibiting at a local fair or show. SOE gives youth perspective into the traits which contribute to a high-quality pork product. 

The current SOE standards are listed below:

Measurement Unit/Scale Minimum Maximum
Hot Carcass Weight Pounds 160 220
Carcass Length Inch 30  
USDA Muscling Score 1 to 3 2 3
Loin Muscle Area Square Inches 6.5 10
10th Rib Back Fat Inch 0.4 0.8
NPPC Fat Free Lean Pound 90  
NPPC Fat Free Lean Percent 52.5  
NPPC Marbling Score 1 to 6, 10 2 5
NPPC Color Score 1 to 6 3 5
NPPC Firmness Score 1 to 3 2 3
NPPC Wetness Score 1 to 3 2 3
Live Abnormalities   None None
Carcass Abnormalities   None None

 

Carcasses are ranked after evalutation and sorted first according to if the carcass made SOE requirements, secondly by percent NPPC Fat Free Lean, and lastly by dressing percentage.

Four divisions are recongnized annually by MSU Extension and the Montana Pork Producer Council. The divisions are light carcass, heavy carcass, light ultrasound, and heavy ultrasound.

2025 top swine exhibitors and breeders are:

Light carcass:

  1. Isaac Eaton, Prairie County Fair. Rockport Colony, swine breeder.
  2. Presley Stainer, Tri-County Fair. Elk Creek Colony, swine breeder.
  3. Payslie Kovalsky, Mineral County Fair. Mike Crea, swine breeder.
  4. Bella Imbagliazzo, Western Montana Fair. Missoula County Public School, swine breeder.
  5. Alexandria Reeves, Ravalli County Fair. Rockport Colony, swine breeder.

Heavy carcass:

  1. Drake Tully, Ravalli County Fair. Thompson Show Pigs, swine breeder.
  2. Eve Hansen, Western Montana Fair. Missoula County Public School, swine breeder.
  3. Charlotte Leininger, Daniels County Fair. Prairie Elk Colony, swine breeder.
  4. Owen Pepos, Broadwater County Fair. Rambling M Ranch, swine breeder.
  5. Ryal Lancello, Broadwater County Fair. Braaten Show Pigs, swine breeder.

 

Light ultrasound:

  1. Avery Nellen, Northwest County Fair. Cain Super Sire, swine breeder.
  2. Mason Keith, Great Northern Fair. CJS Show Pigs, swine breeder.
  3. Sydnie Obritsch, Sheridan County Fair. Bachmeier Show Pigs, swine breeder.
  4. Cole Graham, Big Horn County Fair. Graham Show Pigs, swine breeder.
  5. Hadlee Shobe, Central Montana Fair. Long’s Livestock, swine breeder.

 

Heavy ultrasound:

  1. Cole Hansen, Madison County Fair. Johnson Show Pigs, swine breeder.
  2. Miriam Carroll, Great Northern Fair. Gruzie Show Pigs, swine breeder.
  3. Clinton Handran, Powder River County Fair. Bachmeier Show Pigs, swine breeder.
  4. Teagen Flint, Northwestern Montana Fair. Wapati Pigs, swine breeder.
  5. Ty McLean, Madison County Fair. Johnson Show Pigs, swine breeder.

Light and heavy divisions are broken down by hot carcasss weight. Heavy carcasses are those with a hot carcass weight of 220-186 pounds. Light carcasses are those with a hot carcass weight of 160-185 pounds.

Contact Rose Malisani with MSU Extension-Cascade County at (406) 454-6980 for more information.