Among the exhibits at the annual agricultural event, which runs in Brandon from 30 March to 4 April 2015, is Thru the Farmgate, a display designed to give the public a hands on opportunity to learn how various types of livestock are raised in the province.

Susan Riese, the Manager of public relations and consumer marketing programs with Manitoba Pork said that in addition to a completely redesigned swine exhibit, this year's fair will feature the return of live pigs.

Susan Riese-Manitoba Pork:

Last year we didn't take live animals with us because of the PEDv outbreak.

We were just becoming aware of that and didn't know enough about the disease to really feel comfortable having live animals at the fair.

We've put a lot of protocols in place to make sure the pigs are healthy when they arrive and stay healthy while they're at the fair.

We've got a new pen, we'll be bringing three weanlings and we have a new display component to showcase called Pigtails which is basically the story of how pigs are raised in Manitoba, everything right from breeding to gestation, farrowing, the feeder barn and also talking about some of the byproducts that we get from pigs, so it's really the full gambit.

We're also going to have some interactive activities there and as well, we usually do showcases recipes and things like that.

Ms Riese notes that the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair typically attracts over 100,000 visitors including all ages, from kids with their grandparents to families and even people from outside the province.