Paul van Rooyen from Rouxville in the Free State, last year’s winner with his Meatmaster lamb, says that besides the wonderful camaraderie and direct exposure to consumers, the competition has done wonders for interest in the Meatmaster breed.

“We are too far from the big cities to supply meat on a large scale to everyone who inquired after the competition, but we were able to support all the farmers who inquired about the Meatmaster with advice and assistance,” he says.

Van Rooyen will once again make the long journey to take part in the competition this year.

Nathan Naudé from Steynsburg, on the border between the Eastern Cape and the Northern Cape, won the R50 000 prize in 2022 with an SA Mutton Merino lamb.

He attributes his farm’s success to good breeding material and feeding practices. Lambs are bred from their closed flock according to a practice started by Nathan’s great-grandfather, Fanie, four generations ago.

They mix their own rations, and Nathan believes that makes the difference. “We know exactly what our animals eat and ensure that only high-quality ingredients are used in their feed mix.”

Nathan is excited about Saai’s plans to establish a Lamb Champs brand. He says this will help farmers who excel in the competition to earn a premium retail price for their product.

The first Lamb Champs was held in 2022 at Harlequins Rugby Club in Pretoria, where 50 farmers’ lambs were judged by 10 judges. About 2 000 guests arrived to taste South Africa’s best lamb.

Last year, there were 100 lambs on the spit and, for the first time, a goat meat competition, with 5 000 people attending the feast.

This year, 100 lambs and 50 goats will be roasted. The prize money for the winner is again R80 000.