Hatari Farming’s Royal Fat Stock Success
Marius Eksteen's Hatari Farming enjoyed a highly successful 2026 Royal Fat Stock Show, claiming the Champion Lamb on the Hoof title and earning four further honours in the Royal Lamb Carcass Competition. The results demonstrated the strength of the stud's Dormers in both live slaughter lamb judging and carcass assessment.
Champion Lamb on the Hoof
Hatari's leading achievement came in the Fat Lamb Competition on Thursday, 8 October, at the new Royal Showgrounds at Tweedie, Howick.
Judged by Angus Williamson and Brendon Blore, the competition assessed individual lambs and pens of four across three weight divisions.
Hatari claimed first place in the individual under-45kg class with entry 2D, which went on to be named 2026 Royal Show Champion Lamb on the Hoof.
The stud also won the individual 45–55kg class with entry 6D, and recorded third-place results in the heavier lamb division.
The overall championship carried a R1,000 cash prize sponsored by RPO KZN, together with a Royal Show Medallion, rosette and championship sash.
Four honours in the Lamb Carcass Competition
Hatari's success continued in the Royal Show's SAFJA Lamb Carcass Competition, where its Dormers earned four awards.
In the individual carcass judging, Hatari secured Second Reserve Champion Lamb Carcass, placing third overall.
The stud achieved further success in the group-of-four categories, claiming both First Reserve Champion and Second Reserve Champion Group of Four Lamb Carcasses.
A fourth award, Reserve Champion Group of Four Lamb Carcasses with Substantial European Genetics, completed an impressive set of results.
The group awards were particularly noteworthy, recognising the performance of several lambs presented together rather than a single outstanding animal. They added an important dimension to Hatari's results, demonstrating consistency across its slaughter lamb entries.
RAS President Tim Nixon (left) congratulates Janita Muller and Marius Eksteen of Hatari Farming at the 2026 Royal Carcass Competition.
Recognising excellence in commercial lamb production
The Royal Fat Stock Show provides an important opportunity for breeders to assess the commercial meat-producing qualities of their livestock.
On-the-hoof judging evaluates the live animal's suitability for slaughter, while the carcass competition assesses the finished product after slaughter.
For Hatari Farming, the combination of an overall live championship, two individual class victories and four carcass awards represented a rewarding performance across these complementary stages of judging.
The results were a fitting contribution to the Royal Agricultural Society's 175th anniversary celebrations and the first Royal Agricultural Show held at its new Tweedie home.
The Royal Agricultural Society congratulates Marius Eksteen and the Hatari Farming team on their achievements and thanks all the breeders who participated in the 2026 fat stock programme.
The Society also gratefully acknowledges RPO KZN, Voermol Feeds, ADM Animal Nutrition and HIPRA, whose valued sponsorship, alongside the Royal Agricultural Society's own contribution, supports the continued recognition of excellence in South African livestock production.
