Hatari Claims Champion Lamb as Gras Karoo Impresses at Royal Fat Stock Show
Pictured with Hatari Farming’s 2026 Royal Show Champion Fat Lamb and Gras Karoo’s Reserve Champion Fat Lamb are (from back left) Steyn Steenekamp, judge Angus Williamson, Abraham Steenekamp, Marius Eksteen, judge Brendon Blore, Janita Muller, (front) Jovaan Cloete, and Henri Naudé.
Hatari Farming claimed the prestigious Champion Lamb on the Hoof title at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show, while Gras Karoo Dormers delivered an exceptionally consistent performance across the weight classes to secure Reserve Champion Lamb honours.
The Fat Lamb Competition took place on Thursday, 8 October, at the new Royal Showgrounds at Tweedie, Howick, as part of the Royal Fat Stock Show. Judged by Angus Williamson and Brendon Blore, the competition brought commercial lamb production into focus, recognising the quality of slaughter lambs presented for assessment on the hoof.
The competition included individual lambs and pens of four across three weight divisions: under 45kg, 45–55kg, and 55kg and over.
Hatari Farming takes the top honour
Marius Eksteen's Hatari Farming secured the 2026 Royal Show Champion Lamb title with the Dormer lamb that had won the individual lamb class for animals weighing under 45kg.
Hatari also claimed first place in the individual 45–55kg class, demonstrating the strength of its entries across both weight divisions.
The Champion Lamb award carried a R1,000 cash prize sponsored by RPO KZN, together with a Royal Show Medallion, rosette and championship sash.
For Eksteen and the Hatari team, the result added another achievement to their distinguished record at the Royal, where their Dormers have earned recognition in breed championships, fat stock judging and carcass competitions over many years.
Gras Karoo demonstrates impressive consistency
Gras Karoo Dormers delivered the most extensive collection of class placings in the competition, securing ten of the 18 recorded first, second and third places.
Its strongest performances came in the pen-of-four classes, where Gras Karoo achieved a clean sweep of the first three positions in both the under-45kg and 45–55kg weight divisions.
The stud also secured second and third places in both corresponding individual lamb classes, underlining the consistency of its entries.
This performance culminated in the award of 2026 Royal Show Reserve Champion Lamb, carrying a R500 cash prize sponsored by RPO KZN, together with a rosette and sash.
Gras Karoo's success added another chapter to its longstanding participation at the Royal, where the stud has consistently demonstrated the commercial meat-producing qualities of its Dormer breeding programme.
Strong results in the heavier lamb classes
The 55kg-and-over division brought further exhibitors into the winner's circle.
Twee Steyns secured first place in Class 5, while Twee Seuns took first place in Class 6. Twee Broers demonstrated consistency in the heavier section, finishing second in both classes.
Third places in these classes went to Hatari Farming and Marius Eksteen respectively, completing a strong showing for the participating breeders.
Recognising excellence in commercial lamb production
The Royal Fat Stock Show provides an important opportunity for livestock producers to evaluate their animals against recognised standards of slaughter readiness and meat-producing potential.
Unlike stud breed championships, which assess animals primarily for their breeding characteristics, fat stock competitions focus on the qualities that make livestock suitable for commercial meat production.
The on-the-hoof judging forms an important part of this process, with the subsequent Royal Carcass Competition providing a further assessment of the finished product after slaughter.
Together, these competitions reinforce the connection between breeding decisions, livestock management and the quality of meat ultimately reaching the consumer.
The Royal Agricultural Society extends its congratulations to Hatari Farming, Gras Karoo Dormers and all the successful exhibitors, and sincerely thanks every breeder who invested the time, resources and effort required to bring their animals to the Royal.
Special appreciation goes to judges Angus Williamson and Brendon Blore for their expertise and contribution to the competition.
The Society also gratefully acknowledges the generous support of RPO KZN, Voermol Feeds, ADM Animal Nutrition and HIPRA, whose sponsorship, together with the Royal Agricultural Society's commitment to the fat stock programme, helps sustain these important opportunities to recognise excellence in South African livestock production.
The 2026 competition was particularly significant as the Society celebrated its 175th anniversary and welcomed exhibitors to its new home at Tweedie for the first time.
