13 December 2023
Yet another world champion for South Africa! The Simbra cow Rotswand Fergie LZ 21-25, owned by Riaan van Zyl from Winburg, has just been crowned world champion of her breed.
Cattle entered for the competition by the former South African PJ Budler are judged by independent panels of experts based on photos. The various breeds compete in four world regions: Africa-Asia (including Australia and New Zealand), South America, North America and Europe. Bulls and cows participate separately.
The regional winners then advance to the world championship show, where the winners were announced this week. Ultimately, the supreme world champion across all breeds will be crowned in early 2024.
Nine stud breeders from South Africa secured gold medals in the regional championships.
Riaan, whose cow won the gold medal for Africa and Asia, said he is excited that she won. He bred her himself and it was the first time he took part in the competition. The winning cow was the junior and grand champion female at this year’s SA Simbra championships at the BKB-ALE show in Parys.
Riaan has been farming with Simbras on the Rotswand farm between Winburg and Verkeerdevlei in the Free State for 22 years. The stud is among the oldest Simbra studs in South Africa after his father, Piet, purchased it in 1982.
Kobus Bester, the Simbra breed director, said he is proud that Rotswand Fergie won. The breed has performed well over the years the competition has been held, maintaining its reputation.
In the competition where the four regions competed against each other, a cow from Mexico, GVR 121-10, came second, and a cow from Namibia, Kamab Vicky DM 19-119B from the Metzger family of Seeis, came third.
The judges were Matias Acosta Quevedo from Paraguay, Martin Lill from Australia, Ting Braithwaite from South Africa and Cary Crow from Mexico.
The results for the other breeds will be announced as the judges designate their winners. African Farming will keep its readers informed throughout.
