Photo: Royal Agricultural Society of KwaZulu-Natal
The on-the-hoof competition was held on 11 October at the Lions River Sale Yard, where senior South African Fatstock Judging Association judge Andrew Adams, assisted by Jonathan Tyler for the lamb judging and Andrew Unsworth for the beef, evaluated top-quality slaughter animals.
“The Royal Agricultural Society extends its heartfelt gratitude to the loyal fat stock breeders who supported the event, many of whom journeyed great distances to showcase their finest livestock,” said the society’s general manager, Wayne Muller, in a statement.
He added that the event drew “exceptional A-grade slaughter animal entries in both the beef and lamb categories”.
“The Royal Fat Stock Show stayed true to the ‘Three Es’ once articulated by Dr Iona Stewart, president of the Royal Agricultural Society from 2010 to 2012: to Exhibit, Entertain and Educate,” he said.
Dormers dominated the lamb section, with Mich Turner’s Wanstead Dormers from Cedarville winning the Royal Show Champion Lamb Group, Reserve Champion Lamb Group, and the 2025 Royal Show Champion Lamb titles.
Bruce Taylor from Middelrus claimed Reserve Champion Lamb, while Christo Dorfling of Dorfling Dorpers won the 2025 Super Lamb for his Dorper.
In the beef division, Duncan Watson of JOC Angus and Brangus earned multiple accolades, including Reserve Champion of the Yard for his Brangus.
Dino Raciti of Esco Feeds animals’ excelled, securing first place in the under 530kg class, second place in the Best Group of 4 (under 530kg), in addition to the prestigious Royal Show Champion Animal on the Hoof 2025, for his Droughtmaster-type steer, which Adams praised as “truly a great specimen … the most balanced animal on show, with impeccable conformation and ideal fat cover”.
Justin Fyvie of Tregenna Farming also impressed, winning Champion Commercial Cow (Biltong Koei) with a Santa Gertrudis cross.
Meanwhile, the carcass judging, held on 14 October at Halaal Fresh Meats Abattoir in Thornville, was overseen by Chris Ngeleza and Selvan Odayan of South African Meat Industry Company.
In the beef division, Watson’s Brangus entries dominated once again, taking Champion Beef Carcass and both the First and Second Reserve Champion Beef Carcass titles. He also took Champion Beef Group and Second Reserve Champion Beef Group, as well as the Reserve Champion Super Ox title.
Fyvie’s Santa Gertrudis won the Super Ox Champion Carcass, while his Santa Gertrudis-cross took Champion Commercial Cow on the hook.
In the lamb section, Marius Eksteen’s Hatari Farming made history with a first-ever tie for the Royal Show Champion Lamb Carcass award, with two Dormers each scoring 84,04%.
Hatari also claimed the Reserve Champion Lamb Carcass and the Champion Lamb Carcass Group awards, while Christo Dorfling achieved a rare double victory – Champion Super Lamb both on-the-hoof and on-the-hook.
Muller commended all entrants. “The quality and dedication displayed by this year’s entrants bodes well for the future of fat stock shows in KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.
“This year’s competition was a resounding success, celebrating agricultural heritage, community spirit, and a commitment to excellence,” he added.
“We look forward to welcoming breeders back for our historic 175th anniversary show in 2026.”
The 2026 Royal Agricultural Show will be held from 29 May to 3 June 2026 at the new Tweedie Hall venue near Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
