CATTLE

CATTLE COMPETITIONS

The 2024 Cattle competitions at the Royal Agricultural Exhibition (Friday 24-Wednesday 29 May) promise to be another outstanding showcase of the best of KZN's commercial and stud beef cattle.

The Cattle Section begins with the Commercial competitions over the weekend, with the Steers judging taking place on Saturday 25 May, and the Beef and Dairy Heifer judging on Sunday 26 May, under the auspices of the South African Fat Stock Judges Association (SAFJA).

The Commercial component culminates in the announcement of the winners of the Royal Carcass Competition at the Royal Carcass Auction, on Tuesday 28 May. This is a prestigious occasion for buyers, butchers and restaurants to compete for lamb, beef and pork judged to be the best in the country.

On Monday 27 May the Stud competitions begin with the judging of the Brahman groups and females, Simbra and Simmentaler groups and bulls, Angus and Limousin. The Stud component continues on Tuesday 28 May with the judging of the Brahman bulls, Dexters, Simbra and Simmentaler females, and Sussex.

The Interbreed competition takes place on Wednesday 29 May, and culminates in the impressive spectacle of the Gold Cup Parade and Awards that afternoon, when the Royal Supreme Champions are celebrated.

The weekend also promises to be another impressive display of KZN's future farming talent, with the KZN Youth Show taking place from Friday 24 May until Sunday 26 May, and the Students Challenge on Saturday 25 May.

In addition, the KZN regional round of the Toyota SA Young Auctioneers Competition will take place on the afternoon of Monday 27 May.

Entries close on Friday 19 April for the Stud and Steers classes, and on Friday 26 April for the Beef and Dairy Heifer classes.