Iowa Pork Barbecue Competition Calls on Backyard Grill Masters to Show Their Skills

Mar 17, 2025

Are you the king or queen of backyard barbecue? It’s time to put your skills to the test! Amateur grillers from across Iowa are invited to showcase their talent at the backyard BBQ competition, part of the BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark event this summer in Des Moines.

Presented by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and the Iowa Cubs, the third-annual BBQ & Brew is a fun-filled, charitable event happening Saturday, June 21 at Principal Park. Open to the public, attendees will enjoy mouthwatering Iowa pork, locally brewed craft beers, live music, and expert cooking demonstrations—all while supporting food pantries across the state.

A Chance to Win Big & Earn Bragging Rights

“This event is all about celebrating Iowa’s love for pork and barbecue,” said Aaron Juergens, IPPA president and a pig farmer from Carroll. “It’s a great opportunity for backyard pitmasters to step up, show off their barbeque techniques, and compete for top honors—and some serious cash.”

The all-pork BBQ & Brew Contest will award nearly $12,000 in total prizes, with competitors vying for top spots in three categories: pork loin, pork butt, and St. Louis-style ribs. Cash prizes will go to the top 10 overall competitors, as well as the top 10 finishers in each category. Certified judges will evaluate entries based on appearance, taste, and tenderness.

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Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.