2025 Royal Fat Stock Show results: Here’s the champion livestock

Despite foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and the hassle of travelling long distances, livestock farmers managed to observe all the safety protocols and showcase their best animals in the various on-the-hoof categories of KwaZulu-Natal’s recent Royal Fat Stock Show.

By Lloyd Phillips, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

Despite not yet having moved to its recently acquired new home at Tweedie Hall in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, the Royal Agricultural Society of Natal (RAS) and its dedicated supporters were determined not to allow the opportunity pass to host the 2025 edition of the renowned Royal Fat Stock Show and its associated competitions.

Arrangements were made to host the event at the nearby Lions River Sales Yard and, according to the RAS and competition judges, the turnout did not disappoint.

Wayne Muller, the RAS’s general manager, says: “The RAS extends its heartfelt gratitude to the loyal fat stock producers who supported today’s event, many of whom journeyed great distances to showcase their finest livestock.

“The unwavering commitment and passion of the producers are the cornerstone of this cherished tradition.”

Andrew Adams, a senior judge with the South African Fatstock Judging Association (SAFJA), oversaw the proceedings. He was assisted by Jonathan Tyler with judging the on-the-hoof sheep categories and by Andrew Unsworth with judging the on-the-hoof beef cattle categories.

The 2025 Royal Fat Stock Show was supported by the likes of the KwaZulu-Natal Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, AAM Livestock Agents and Auctioneers, Esco Feeds, the RAS’s cattle secretary, Julia Hackland, and the society’s sheep secretary, Emmie Barnard.

Results for On-The-Hoof Sheep Categories

Champion individual lamb: Dormer by Mich Turner of Wanstead Dormers (Cedarville, Eastern Cape)

Reserve champion individual lamb: Ile de France by Bruce Taylor of Busybend Farming (Middelrus, KwaZulu-Natal)

Individual lamb (under 45kg liveweight) 

1. Dormer by Mich Turner of Wanstead Dormers (Cedarville, Eastern Cape)
2. Ile de France by Bruce Taylor of Busybend Farming (Middelrus, KwaZulu-Natal)
3. Ile de France by Bruce Taylor of Busybend Farming (Middelrus, KwaZulu-Natal)

Individual lamb (45kg – 55kg liveweight)

1. Dormer by Marius Eksteen of Hatari Farming (Bloemfontein, Free State)
2. Dormer by Mich Turner of Wanstead Dormers (Cedarville, Eastern Cape)
3. Dormer by Marius Eksteen of Hatari Farming (Bloemfontein, Free State)

Champion individual super lamb: Dorper by Christo Dorfling of Dorfling Dorpers (Weenen, KwaZulu-Natal)

Individual super lamb 

1. Dorper by Christo Dorfling of Dorfling Dorpers (Weenen, KwaZulu-Natal)
2. Dormer by Mich Turner of Wanstead Dormers (Cedarville, Eastern Cape)
3. Dormer by Mich Turner of Wanstead Dormers (Cedarville, Eastern Cape) 

Champion group lambs: Dormer by Mich Turner of Wanstead Dormers (Cedarville, Eastern Cape) 

Reserve champion group lambs: Dormer by Mich Turner of Wanstead Dormers (Cedarville, Eastern Cape)

Junior lamb group (under 45kg liveweight)

1. Dormer by Mich Turner of Wanstead Dormers (Cedarville, Eastern Cape) 
2. Il de France by Ebrahim Sheik of ES Il de France Stud (Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal)
3. Dormer by Mich Turner of Wanstead Dormers (Cedarville, Eastern Cape) 
   

Senior lamb group (45kg – 55kg liveweight)

1. Il de France by Ebrahim Sheik of ES Il de France Stud (Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal)
2. Dormer by Mich Turner of Wanstead Dormers (Cedarville, Eastern Cape)
3. Dormer by Marius Eksteen of Hatari Farming (Bloemfontein, Free State)

Results for On-The-Hoof Beef Categories

Champion of the yard: Droughtmaster-type by Dino Raciti of Esco Feeds (Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal)

Reserve champion of the yard: Brangus by Duncan Watson of JOC Angus and Brangus (Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal)

Individual beef (under 470kg liveweight)

1. Brangus by Duncan Watson of JOC Angus and Brangus (Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal)
2. Brangus by Duncan Watson of JOC Angus and Brangus (Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal)
3. Brangus by Duncan Watson of JOC Angus and Brangus (Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal)

Individual beef (under 530kg liveweight)

1. Droughtmaster-type by Dino Raciti of Esco Feeds (Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal)
2. Brangus by Duncan Watson of JOC Angus and Brangus (Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal)
3. Brangus by Duncan Watson of JOC Angus and Brangus (Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal)

Individual beef super ox (over 530kg liveweight) 

1. Brangus by Duncan Watson of JOC Angus and Brangus (Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal)
2. Santa Gertrudis by Justin Fyvie of 5 Star Santa Gertrudis (Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal)
3. Brangus by Duncan Watson of JOC Angus and Brangus (Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal)

Best group of four beef (under 530kg liveweight)

1. Brangus by Duncan Watson of JOC Angus and Brangus (Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal)
2. Droughtmaster-type by Dino Raciti of Esco Feeds (Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal)
3. Brangus by Duncan Watson of JOC Angus and Brangus (Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal)
   

Best slaughter cow beef (no weight restriction)

1. Santa Gertrudis by Justin Fyvie of 5 Star Santa Gertrudis (Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal)
2. Sussex by Peter Thomas of Oaksprings Farm (Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal)
3. Santa Gertrudis by Justin Fyvie of 5 Star Santa Gertrudis (Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal)
   

Keep an eye on AfricanFarming.com tomorrow for the results of the Royal Fat Stock Show’s carcass competitions.

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