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The 2026 SA Stud Book / UNISTEL National Elite Awards, presented on 27 April at Monte Bello Estate, celebrated South Africa’s stud breeding industry in a year defined by resilience, discipline, and adaptability. Due to renewed foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) restrictions, all cloven-hoofed livestock events – including the live judging of the National Elite Bull Growth Test Class during the Bloem Show – were responsibly suspended.
Despite these constraints, the integrity of the awards programme remained uncompromised. All awards were allocated using objectively measured SA Stud Book Logix data, ensuring that performance, fertility, and genetic progress were evaluated transparently and scientifically.
The Elite awards recognise excellence not only in animals, herds, and flocks, but also in the people and institutions that uphold South Africa’s genetic foundation.
Developing stud breeder of the year
The SA Stud Book / Standard Bank National Elite Developing Stud Breeder of the Year Award celebrates emerging breeders who have successfully met the strict requirements of stud breeding. Ahmed Bhamjee from Bhamjee’s Bonsmara was named the 2026 Developing Stud Breeder of the Year. His operation focuses on management, accurate record-keeping, and steady genetic improvement, demonstrating how structured stud breeding can unlock long-term sustainability and market access.
Mentor breeder of the year
The SA Stud Book / Farmer’s Weekly mentor breeder of the year recognises stud breeders who actively support and guide others entering the industry. Waldo Scheepers from Trifill Wagyu was honoured for his direct mentorship approach. Scheepers provides practical support with genetic material and strategic guidance, and his success highlights the importance of collaboration and knowledge transfer within the stud industry.
National Elite 2026 Diamond Bull awards
The SA Stud Book / Plaas Media National Elite 2026 Diamond Bull awards recognise bulls that have demonstrated exceptional and sustained genetic influence over an extended period. These sires are identified through objective data confirming daughter retention, reproductive efficiency, and long-term progeny impact within registered stud herds.
Unlike awards based on single-year performance, the diamond bull designation confirms that a bull’s genetic value has been proven across generations, making these sires cornerstone contributors to national herd improvement.
2026 Diamond Bull award recipients:
- Beefmaster: WO 100124, Dr Dewald de Bruin of Plaas Wolwedoorns
- Beefmaster: SB180604, Dean Storah of DSB Beefmasters
- Bonsmara: AG170393, Kliphart Bonsmaras
- Charolais: CB160003, Andries Dreyer of Buffelsvallei Charolais
- Santa Gertudis: SP180045, Oplaas Geluk Santas
- Sussex: PSS144900, Junior Keyser of Blema ba Kan
Vleissentraal SA / Stud Book Elite Bull Growth Test Class 2026
The Vleissentraal / SA Stud Book Elite Bull Growth Test Class represents the highest level of recognition for young, performance-tested bulls nominated by South Africa’s breed societies. Each breed may nominate only one bull, selected according to strict criteria relating to growth, fertility, functional conformation, and genetic merit.
Although live judging could not take place in 2026, nomination to this class remains a significant achievement, confirming that each bull meets the most demanding objective standards applied in stud breeding.
2026 Elite Grow Test Class breed winners:
- Afrikaner: JEV2360150, Jannie Visagie at Jannie Visagie Afrikaners
- Angus (Rooi): AC230222, Loutjie Campher and Wilru Campher at Loumotta Angus
- Angus (Black): RCM230010, RC Malherbe and Gert Malherbe at Roechama Angus
- Beef Shorthorn: JS230010, Johann Strydom at Strydberg Beef Shorthorns
- Boran: ABW230344, Christiaan Bredell at Yatta Boran-Stoet
- Braford: GM23153, Gert van der Merwe and Johan de Jager at Bonheur Brafords
- Brahman: CRE2353, Ampie and Riki Rossouw at CRE Brahmans
- Brangus: WWW22353, Myburgh Wessels, Tewie Wessels, and David Nel at TWO W Brangus
- Braunvieh: TEY230010, Tom Yzel at Lezy Braunvieh-stoet
- Charolais: DS230766, Dami Stemmet at Sumada Charolais-stoet
- Drakensberger: FD230016, Fanie van Dyk at Brakenjan Drakensbergers
- Hereford: BM240030, Bertus Mong at BM Herefords
- Hugenoot: K230192, Henk van Rensburg at Koperkop Hugenoot-stoet
- Limousin: D:23135, John and Tracey Devonport at Devlan Limousins
- Pinsgauer: GB230061, Bertie van Zyl (Edms) Bpk and Fanie Potgieter (herd manager) at ZZ2 Grootboom Pinzgauer
- PinZ2yl: PZ230315, Bertie van Zyl (Edms) Bpk and Fanie Potgieter (herd manager) at ZZ2 Mathomo PinZ2yl
- Romagnola: FPC240001, Francois Coertzen at Coertzen Romagnola
- Santa Gertrudis: SS230165, Desmond and Timmy Robertson at Santarific Santas
- Senepol: AB230056, Basil Butler at Calcrete Senepol
- Simbra: VBG2417, Kobus Bester at Vleisberg Simbras
- Simmentaler: MAD23270, Martiens de Jager (snr) and Martiens de Jager (jnr) at Gulland Simmentalers
- South Devon: JM233814, James Miller and John Miller at Winston South Devon
- Sussex: SF230013, David McCall at Skietlaagte Sussex
- Tuli: ADM230042, Dave Mullins at Avondale Tulis
National Elite Platinum Beef Cow Awards 2026
The National Elite Platinum beef cow awards honour exceptional breeding females that demonstrate longevity, sustained fertility, and production efficiency. Only cows that already hold Elite Gold status qualify, and only one cow per breed may receive platinum recognition.
These cows form the genetic backbone of their individual studs, and the 2026 breed winners are:
- Afrikaner: MC140573, Pierre-André Cronjé of Grootkuil Afrikaner stud
- Angus: WB110336, Henru and Gerrit van Rooyen of Kombuisland Angus
- Beefmaster: RLR140097, Theunis Oosthuizen Uys of Beef on Grass
- Bonsmara: ERH150118, Edward Hansen of Emok Bonsmaras
- Bonsmara: GJN120110, Gert and Gerhard Nel of Germar Bonsmaras
- Boran: IM140022, Louis Neethling of Alfa Borane
- Braunvieh: HB150008, Hans Bester and daughters of Witbek Braunvieh
- Charolais: SW150049, Freddie Wasserfall of Otjiwa Boerdery
- Drakensberger: GR130304, Gawie and Frik Roux of Rouvus Drakensberger
- Hereford: NMH150110, Bertus Mong of PP Mong Trust
- Nguni: AZ130009, Hannes and Lochner Eksteen of Exsteen Nguni’s
- Santa Gertrudis: KT140022, Franco Koch of Kochbo Santas
- Sussex: TL130021, FC Durow of FC Durow Trust
- Tuli: DKH160031, Colin Raath of Acacia Mountain Tulis
National Elite Platinum Dairy Cow Awards 2026
The National Elite Platinum Dairy Cow Awards recognise cows that combine durability, fertility, and consistent production. Eligible cows must have completed at least five lactations and remain active at the time of evaluation. This year’s breed winners are:
- Ayrshire: JW160100, Jan Wessels of Meesuid Ayrshires
- Holstein: Limpie16002 Jonas 18228, Joubert and AJ Fourie of Limpopo Dairy
- Jersey: SG130048, Altus Brooks of Solderskraal Jerseys
Beef cattle stud herd of the year
The 2026 winner, Fourie Scheepers of Zinabos Bonsmaras, runs a Bonsmara herd established in 1968 and consistently performs at an elite level.
Gawie and Frik Roux from Rouvus Drakensberger took second place, and Wilhelmus and Desireé van der Schyff from Schyff Beefmasters were third.
The other finalists deserve honourable mention for their outstanding achievements: Henru and Gerrit van Rooyen from Kombuisland Angus, Izelle van Rooyen from Borderland Cattle Company, Hendrik and Ronel Meyer from Rhenostervallei Beefmasters, Theunis Oosthuizen Uys and Schabort Meyer from Beef on Grass, Thinus Maritz from Thinus Maritz Boerdery, Boeram Venter from Disco Bonsmaras, and JG Viljoen and sons from Gelibar Bonsmara.
Dairy stud herd of the year
The dairy stud herd of the year 2026 went to JH Neethling from Rooikoppies Farming, a pasture-based dairy herd that combines genetics and management efficiency.
The Schoonwinkel family (AJ, JA, and PJ) from Kluitjieskraal Jerseys received second place, and third place went to the Walker and Son team from Walker Boerdery (Pty) Ltd.
The remaining finalists received honourable mention for managing incredible dairy herds: Cobus and Ronél Behrens from Waterbron Jerseys, Leon Thom from Leon Thom Jerseys, and Miles Stead from Ede Farming run by Poena van Niekerk.
Genetic dairy herd of the year
JH Neethling from Rooikoppies Farming was the winner of the 2026 Genetic Dairy Herd of the Year award. Rooikoppies has outstanding herd-wide genetic merit and balanced production traits.
The other finalists were Jan Wessels from Meesuid Ayrshires, Joubert and AJ Fourie from Limpopo Dairy, and Leon Thom from Leon Thom Jerseys.
Meat and dual-purpose stud flock of the year
The winner of the small-stock (meat and dual-purpose) stud flock of the year went to Johan Swart of Kinko Dormers, whose flock consistently meets elite breeding and record benchmarks.
Second place went to Jacques Cronjé from Ducron Enterprises (Pty) Ltd and third to Marius and Jan Eksteen from Hatari Farming. The remaining finalists were Dr Charl Scholtz and Lodie van Reenen from Nova Barletta Dormers, and Christo Deventer from CC van Deventer Dorperstoet.
Wool stud flock of the year
Johann Kotzé from Korhaansrug Merino’s is the winner of the 2026 small-stock (wool) stud flock of the year, which displayed the best genetic consistency and selection discipline.
Dirk Hanekom from Korenhof Merinos was in second place, and Dirk Uys from Staatmaker Merinos fetched third place.
The additional finalists in this category were Dries Pienaar from White Wools Dohne Merino stud, and Strydfontein Dohne Merino of the Diepfontein Trust.
Horse stud of the year
This year PJ Möller from Ventana Saalperd stud took top honours for his Saddle Horse stud. Ronelle Janse van Rensburg from Great Expectations Miniature Stud and Mohamed Jamaloodeen from Tommy’s Arabians were the other finalists.
Dog stud of the year
The boerboel community came together this year with Christopher Havenga from CDH Boerboele taking the 2026 title as dog stud of the year. The other finalists were Beverli Katz from Klein Sandfontein Boerboels and Adré Steenkamp from Elevation Boerboels.
SA Stud Book best annual report award
The South African Boerboel Breeder’s Society took first place in the SA Stud Book best annual report award, displaying exemplary governance, transparency, and comprehensive reporting. The other finalists were the SA Boerperd Society and the Nguni Cattle Breeders’ Society.
SA Stud Book president’s award 2026
Honoured for a lifetime of contribution to stud breeding, leadership, and institutional development, Freddie Wasserfall received the 2026 SA Stud Book president’s award.
The SA Stud Book / UNISTEL National Elite Awards 2026 offered a comprehensive celebratory experience for animals, herds, societies, and individual breeders. In a year defined by disruption, the continued recognition of objectively measured genetic progress reinforced the industry’s commitment to transparency, sustainability, and long-term improvement. – Nikilene Steenkamp, Plaas Media
