Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
This year’s Komga Agricultural Show, energised by the arrival of summer and filled with festive stalls, was abuzz with activity. The grounds came alive with live music, a poultry exhibition, the familiar sounds of cattle and sheep in the pens, displays of horsemanship, and top-quality technology and implements on show.
Komga is a small town about 60km north of East London, with a community that shows resilience. Despite the challenging economic times and road construction works in and around town, the Komga Agricultural Show proved that teamwork and tenacity under difficult circumstances can make all the difference.
Amidst the jovial atmosphere shared by friends and strangers, there was an extraordinary sense of connectedness, demonstrating the tremendous effort and remarkable progress which had been made by the show committee, farmers, and community to ensure this year’s show leaves a lasting impression.
The animal section, always a favourite among old and young, included:
- Cattle exhibits.
- A stud stock exhibition.
- A poultry exhibition (judging and sales).
- Equestrian events and the grand parade.
Busy and productive as a beehive
This year’s show took place from 9 to 11 October. One of the highlights was the Regional Farmers Association breakfast, sponsored by the East Cape Simbra Club. The first speaker, Agri EC president Peter Cloete, encouraged the audience to find the positives in difficult situations and to join organised agriculture to help make a difference.
Another high point on the show programme was the panel discussion themed “From farm to fork” and sponsored by Hobson & Co. The interactive discussion allowed members of the audience to ask the panel questions that are relevant to sheep and cattle farming today. The panel, in turn, consisting of farmers and feedlot/abattoir owners, answered them to the best of their ability and also addressed issues like how to get the best from one’s slaughter and weaner animals that are sent to the feedlots/abattoirs.
They also addressed the pressing problem of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine shortage as well as the growing international pressure for healthy herds to be FMD-vaccinated before their meat is accepted for export. Other points included the red meat quality and grading system, why compliance with biosecurity protocols and traceability is a non-negotiable matter, and good animal welfare practices before the animals go to the feedlots and abattoirs.
An exemplary cattle sale
The ever-popular cattle sale enjoyed a good turnout and a total of 405 cattle were sold at this year’s auction. Auctioneer Kelvin Burger of Elliot Brothers Auctioneers shared the highlights, saying, “We had an absolute cracker of an ox that belonged to Sunrise Eggs and weighed 1 005kg, which we sold today to East London Abattoir for R43 500.” He also said the auctioned cattle were in excellent condition, which supported the good prices. “Even farmers who don’t usually put their animals on auction realised today that, without an auction, we as farmers can’t determine the current market price.”
The best is yet to come
At the end of this year’s show, Dr Les Trollope, who has been the Komga Agricultural Show president for the past 13 years, concluded that everyone had had a wonderful time thanks to the more than 3 000 people who had attended the show this year. “At the end of a very successful show, all our supporters are already saying they are coming back – we are doing it all again next year.” – Carin Venter, Plaas Media
For more information, contact Dr Les Trollope on 082 900 5565.
