The National Interbreed Champion Male title went to ARC 22-131, a Brahman bull owned by José Masciel of Arc-en-Ciel Brahman Stud in Secunda, Mpumalanga.
Cor Loggenberg, herd manager at Arc-en-Ciel Brahman Stud, said the team was overwhelmed by the achievement.
“We are extremely happy. There are no words to describe our pride,” he told Farmer’s Weekly.
The National Interbreed Champion Female title was awarded to a Simmentaler cow owned by Kobus Erasmus of Little Creek Simmentalers in Lephalale, Limpopo.
Ten animals compete for national honours
The prestigious competition marked its 10th presentation this year. Ten qualifying animals competed for the two national titles after distinguishing themselves in interbreed competitions at agricultural shows around the country.
The animals were judged by Jaco Maree, Marius Barkhuizen and Ben du Plessis, all members of the South African Interbreed Judges’ Association.
Speaking at the Old Mutual Wealth Alfa Interbreed Function on the eve of the competition, Willie de Jager, chairperson of the association, explained the complexity of comparing animals from different breeds.
“Rather than judging markedly different animals against one another on appearance alone, the judges assessed each animal within the context of its breed and considered how well it represented the quality and characteristics expected of that breed,” he said.
De Jager said interbreed judging is more difficult than many people realise, as it requires judges to recognise quality across breeds with different characteristics.
He emphasised the prestige attached to winning the national title: “It is one of the best prizes you can win for South African cattle.”
The difficulty of securing the honour is reflected in the number of breeders who have pursued the title over the years.
“Many people have tried for many years and never succeeded,” De Jager noted.
Leading genetics return to the show ring
Albert Loubser, livestock coordinator for Nampo Alfa, said the competition brought together animals that had already distinguished themselves at shows across the country.
“Animals that participate in shows around the country and win interbreed championships are invited to [Nampo] Alfa to participate in the Old Mutual Wealth National Interbreed Championships.
“We literally have some of the best animals in the country here on display,” he said.
According to Loubser, Nampo Alfa’s aim extended beyond displaying animals from different breeds. The championship animals were placed prominently so that visitors could view them closely and engage with their breeders.
“They aren’t just tucked away somewhere. They stand in a very prominent place where people can walk around, look at them, speak to the breeder, and understand why these animals do as well as they do,” he said.
Presenting the full livestock programme carried added significance after COVID-19 and animal health challenges disrupted shows and livestock participation. Loubser said Nampo Alfa’s organisers had taken extra biosecurity precautions at the start of the show.
“With the animal health situation in the country since 2019, this was really the first opportunity we’ve had since before [the COVID-19 pandemic] to do the show as we wanted,” Loubser said.
He added that organisers had placed safety first while working to preserve the platform established for breeders and the livestock industry.
“What we tried to do was to be safe. That was always the most important thing. We promised all participants that we would do the right thing, but also not lose hope,” Loubser noted.
