Not only will there be new names and products for agriculturally inclined visitors, but a number of national livestock competitions will also take place. Held from 25 May to 3 June, this year’s Royal Show will continue to introduce ‘town to country’ by educating urban dwellers about the important role South Africa’s agriculture sector plays in securing the country’s food security.
“For the first time in well over 50 years, with the assistance of the South African National Seed Organisation, we’ll be re introducing an informative seed display not only for farmers, but also for the young and old general public,” said Terry Strachan, CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society headquartered in Pietermaritzburg, where the 161st Royal Show will take place.
More than 2 000 head of livestock will be on site, with the show hosting the Dairy Swiss, Suffolk and Hampshire Down Nationals. This year will also see the introduction of slaughter classes for goats. Winners here will be displayed alongside the winning beef and lamb slaughter classes in the carcass competition, reportedly the most prestigious event of its kind in the country.
All carcasses will be auctioned at the Royal Show’s highly popular carcass auction, renowned for garnering a still standing world record of R3 000/kg for the champion lamb carcass bought by Ivan Ratthan of Crown Butchery in Durban, in 2006.
Jenny Frazer, the show’s livestock secretary, said the Royal Show’s carcass competition will now also cater for farmers of European sheep breeds.
“While we’re keeping with SA Meat Industry Company rules and regulations, the two highest performing European or European-type lamb carcasses in the competition will be designated Champion and 1st Reserve Champion European breed, even if they place behind South African sheep breeds,” explained Frazer.
For more information visit www.royalshow.co.za.
