Talk of the Town

Best stock section in years lining up for Bathurst Show

- LOUISE CARTER

WITH just over a month to go, the team behind the Bathurst Show, taking place from March 27 to 29, are readying themselves and the different sections for the huge country jamboree.

This year as you wander into country life, make hay while the sun shines and pay a visit to the livestock section. It is here that farmers, who travel from near and far, display their finest animals and compete for section trophies.

Farmers from all over the Eastern Cape, including areas like Komga and GraaffRein­et, are bringing their best to the showground­s.

At this year’s show there will be at least nine different breeds of cattle ranging from Nguni, Bonsmara, Brahman, Simmentale­r, Angus, Simbra, Brangus, as well as sheep, pigs, different types of buck, and a variety of poultry and pigeons.

Stock coordinato­r Frik van Rooyen is excited about this year’s stock section and estimates about 160 cattle, 60 small stock and a significan­t amount of poultry will be on show.

“We expect that this will be the biggest livestock show we have ever had,” said Van Rooyen.

On Friday, March 27, at 2pm livestock owners will compete in a stock showdown where the best bull, heifer and cow will be judged, as well as some of the smaller livestock. So bring the young ’uns and don’t miss the opportunit­y to experience country life up close and personal.

At 5pm young and old can witness the final judgment as stock owners hold their thumbs at the prizegivin­g where section winners will inevitably walk away smiling like a goat in a briar patch.

On Saturday, March 28, while perusing through all the different activities, stalls, exhibition­s and all there is to see, take a walk down to the Hobson & Co auction arena.

The whole kit and caboodle will go down at noon, when numerous fat and healthy stock go up for sale. Also during the auction the emerging farmer of the year award will be announced.

So don’t be a stick-in the-mud; take the bull by the horns and join in for an A-grade country spectacula­r with all the bells and whistles. Van Rooyen can be contacted on 082-900-3516 for more informatio­n.

 ?? Picture: LOUISE CARTER ?? GOOD STOCK: A parcel of two pristine Kleinemond­e Simbras bred by Frik van Rooyen was sold for R7 400 to Kei Livestock at the Hobson & Co cattle auction at the Bathurst showground­s last Thursday. Each animal weighs an average of 640kg. At the Bathurst...
Picture: LOUISE CARTER GOOD STOCK: A parcel of two pristine Kleinemond­e Simbras bred by Frik van Rooyen was sold for R7 400 to Kei Livestock at the Hobson & Co cattle auction at the Bathurst showground­s last Thursday. Each animal weighs an average of 640kg. At the Bathurst...

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