showpig.com
What Showpig.com is and what it’s used for
Showpig.com sits in a pretty specific lane: it’s an online marketplace built around the U.S. show pig industry, with online auctions as the center of gravity. The site positions itself as more than “just” an auction host — more like a hub that tries to combine sales, information, and community in one place.
If you’re new to show pigs, this matters because the market is fragmented. Breeders sell private treaty, farms run their own sales, and families are constantly trying to figure out what’s coming up, who is reputable, and how to bid without getting burned. Showpig.com is trying to reduce that chaos by running auctions on a consistent platform, while also publishing content and pushing event visibility through calendars and updates.
How the auction side typically works
At a high level, Showpig.com connects sellers (breeders, operations, consignors) with buyers (families, exhibitors, sometimes other breeders). Auctions are scheduled and listed on an auction calendar, with results posted after sales close. The calendar is active and time-stamped, including January 2026 listings and results, which tells you it’s being used day-to-day, not sitting idle.
The actual bidding experience often runs through the associated bidding pages on the “bid.showpig.com” domain, where lots are presented with details (breed, ear notch, due dates for females, etc.) and where invoices/payment instructions show up after the auction.
One practical detail buyers always ask about is fees. Many listings on the bidding site explicitly state there is no buyer’s premium for that auction, which is a meaningful difference compared with a lot of online auction platforms in other industries.
Buyer expectations: registration, age, and payment basics
Showpig.com’s buyer FAQ content (as surfaced in search results) indicates that online auctions run through The Wendt Group require registered bidders who are 18+ to participate. That’s a standard control in online bidding, but it’s still something families need to think about, because a lot of exhibitors are minors even though they’re the ones showing the pig.
Credit card requirements are another big one. The platform explains that a credit card verification is used to ensure bidders are legitimate and qualified, which is also common across online auctions because it reduces fake accounts and non-payment.
On payment, lot pages regularly describe accepted options and point buyers to invoice links right after the auction closes, with credit/debit card payment called out as a primary path.
Seller expectations: what the platform is really selling to consignors
For sellers, the pitch is not only “we can host your auction,” but “we can package the whole thing.” That includes listing support, buyer reach, and process management that’s consistent from sale to sale.
One of the clearer examples is Showpig’s consignment auction setup. The platform describes options like “horserace style” closings (where bidding extends as bids come in near the end) and also the ability to list a lot at a set price as a “buy now” item. That flexibility matters because breeders don’t all sell the same thing the same way — a high-demand show barrow in-season is a different product than a bred female or a genetic lot.
There are also signals the company is pushing a more hands-on model. In July 2024, Showpig announced a sales advisor team and emphasized connecting users with trusted vendors and supporting auction management end-to-end.
Auction formats and why they matter
Showpig’s auction types content highlights “LiveOnline” as a format that tries to blend the energy of a live sale with the reach of an online platform, using real-time bidding without requiring travel and setup.
This isn’t just marketing language. In the show pig world, live sales have traditionally been social and time-based — you show up, you watch, you buy, it’s done. Online sales expanded the buying pool but created other issues: people worry about missing a close, bidding snipes, unclear extension rules, or just not knowing what “normal” looks like. So, a platform that standardizes formats and explains them is basically selling trust and predictability as much as it’s selling technology.
“More than an auction”: content, community, and industry positioning
Showpig’s editorial/content arm (“The Block”) is a big part of how it keeps people coming back when they’re not actively bidding. The posts range from human-interest stories (like coverage of Sage Bearden’s Grand Champion Market Barrow win at the 2023 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and her community welcome-home) to interviews with people in the industry.
That type of content does two things:
- It builds a shared culture around showing, which strengthens the brand.
- It keeps the platform top-of-mind between purchase cycles, which helps auctions perform when it’s time to sell.
On top of that, Showpig is visibly tying itself to major youth and breeder programs. The Texas Pork Producers Association announced Showpig.com as the 2024–2025 title sponsor of the Certified Texas Bred Registry, including a quote from owner/CEO Kevin Wendt about supporting Texas junior livestock programs. That kind of sponsorship is basically a credibility play: it tells breeders and families the company is investing in the ecosystem, not only collecting fees on transactions.
What to look at if you’re evaluating the site as a buyer or seller
If you’re deciding whether to trust Showpig.com with your money (buyer) or your reputation (seller), the evaluation is pretty straightforward, but you have to be disciplined about it.
For buyers:
- Look for clear lot descriptions, health/shipping terms, and transparent close times.
- Confirm whether the specific auction says “no buyer’s premium” (many do, but don’t assume).
- Understand the bidder requirements (age, registration, credit card verification).
For sellers:
- Decide which format fits your inventory (traditional timed close, horserace close, or buy-now lots).
- Pay attention to how the platform markets sales (calendar presence, social/video series, content tie-ins).
- Ask what support you get from their team structure, because the “advisor” model suggests they want to be more involved than a barebones listing host.
Key takeaways
- Showpig.com is a show-pig-focused marketplace where online auctions are the core product, supported by content and community features.
- Auctions and results are actively listed on a calendar with current (January 2026) activity.
- Buyer controls include registration, an 18+ requirement (per their FAQ), and credit card verification to qualify bidders.
- Many auction listings explicitly state there is no buyer’s premium, and payment is commonly handled through invoice links after close.
- Sellers can use different sales mechanics, including horserace-style closings and “buy now” lots.
- The brand is actively positioning itself inside youth and breeder ecosystems (example: CTBR title sponsorship in 2024–2025).
FAQ
What is Showpig.com mainly for?
It’s primarily an online auction and marketplace platform built around the show pig industry, with additional community and educational content layered on top.
Do auctions on Showpig always have a buyer’s premium?
No. Many listings on the bidding site explicitly state “no buyer’s premium,” but you still need to check the terms for each auction because policies can vary by sale.
Why do they require a credit card to bid?
The platform explains it as a verification step to ensure bidders are valid and qualified, which helps prevent non-paying bids and fake accounts.
Can minors bid if they’re the ones showing the pig?
Their buyer FAQ indicates only registered bidders over age 18 can participate in The Wendt Group online auctions, so families typically handle bidding through an adult account.
What does “horserace style” mean in their consignment auctions?
It refers to an auction close style where bidding can extend if bids come in near the end, rather than ending abruptly at a hard stop time. Showpig also notes some lots can be posted as “buy now” at a set price.
Is Showpig.com involved in the broader industry beyond sales?
Yes. One example is its role as the 2024–2025 title sponsor of the Certified Texas Bred Registry (CTBR), which is tied to youth programs and Texas-bred pig promotion.
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