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The Livestock Registering Federation (LRF) presented a range of awards at its 17th annual Stockman School gala event. This year’s theme of the three-day event was “Smart Stockmanship: Back to Basics”.
Read more about session three and four of the 2025 LRF Stockman School here.
The gala evening celebrates producers and other key contributors to the cattle breeding industry, recognising excellence in both the local and Namibian livestock sectors.
Prof Bob Weaber, department head of the Eastern Kansas Research and Extension Centers at Kansas State University, delivered a keynote address on the vital role of breed societies in driving genetic progress to meet future demands. He said breed societies play an important role in the industry because they are a focal point for activities. Breed societies bring breeders together and provide the opportunity for cooperation.
He explained that stud breeders are stronger as a group, particularly if there are many small stud breeders who are individually not able to access a large-scale genetic evaluation system or a marketing programme. Services can be built out that far exceed what can be achieved by individual breeders. This is one of the key opportunities to associate together and build out services, hire professional staff, and access tools that ordinarily can’t be reached.
Santam Agriculture/LRF Stud Breeder of the Year
A highlight of the evening was the Santam Agriculture/LRF Stud Breeder of the Year award, hosted in collaboration with Plaas Media. This prestigious award celebrates an esteemed stud breeder each year. This year’s recipient was Koos Kooy of Oggenstond Simmentalers near Mooi River in KwaZulu-Natal. The other finalist was Martiens de Jager of Gulland Simmentalers from Koster, North West.
Completeness of Performance Award
Winners of 4.5-star and 5-star levels, recognising overall excellence in breeding and management, were:
4.5 Stars
- Limousin – Dalu and Oriel Sandamela of Water’s Edge Limousins, Water’s Edge, Vaaldam, Mpumalanga.
- Simbra – Arné Grobbelaar of Glen Aggy Simbras, Amsterdam, Mpumalanga.
- Simbra – Metzger family of Kamab Simbra, Windhoek, Namibia.
- Simbra – Wilckens family of Ondeka Simbra, Namibia.
- Simmentaler – René Krafft of Ibenstein Simmentaler, Dordabis, Khomas, Namibia.
- Simmentaler – Hendrik and Waldi Hamman of Iris Simmentaler, Seeis, Khomas, Namibia.
- Simmentaler – Bertus and Dewald Walters of Walsim Simmentaler, Windhoek, Namibia.
5 Stars
- Brangus – Riaan and Willem Hagendijk of Goedgenoeg Boerdery, Winburg, Free State.
- Brangus – Andrè van der Merwe of Wouman Brangus, Reitz, Free State.
- Brangus – Christopher Sparks of Mount-Olive Genetics, Harrismith, Free State.
- Brangus – Francois Scholtz of Beswil Brangus, Reitz, Free State.
- Simmentaler – Johan Styger of BTB Simmentaler, Klerksdorp, North West.
- Simmentaler – Bianca Lueesse of Lichtenstein Simmentaler, Windhoek, Namibia.
- Simmentaler – Theuns Muller of Wilsim Simmentaler, Okahandja, Namibia.
- Simmentaler – Koos Kooy of Oggendstond Simmentalers, Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal.
- Simmentaler – Schneider family of Okasim Simmentaler, Grootfontein Namibia.
Namibia: Completeness of Performance Award
5 Stars
- Brahman – Alex de Koning of Rapa Brahman, Grootfontein.
- Brahman – Bianca Lueesse of Bramarein Brahman, Windhoek, Namibia.
- Brahman – Schneider family of Okabra Brahman, Grootfontein.
Most Genetic Progress in the Past Five Years Award
- Braford – Carl and Dollie de Jager of Z4T Brafords, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal.
- Brahman – Jan and Gideon van Zyl of Kroon Vee Brahmans, Langberg Landgoed, Vryburg, North West.
- Brangus – Diederick Ferreira of Manso Brangus, Bothaville, Free State.
- Limousin – Thabang and Teboho Maqelepo of Maqelepo Limousins, Ficksburg, Free State.
- Simbra – Bayer Olivier of Sinkev Simbra, Namibia.
- Simmentaler – Ed Barry of Four Feet Simmentaler, Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal.
NFI (Net Feed Intake) Award
- Brahman – 23-0106WB, Ebbi Fischer, Wokuma Brahmans, Hochfeld, Namibia.
- Simbra – JM23253, Jaco Maré, JacMar Simbra’s, Klerksdorp, North West.
- Simmentaler – ZM23803, Pieter and Thys Meyer, Zimeyer Boerdery, Lindley, Free State.
Proven Bull Award
This award recognises outstanding bulls in various breeds.
- Braford – BB18134, Bremer Family of Heelbo Boerdery, Rosendal, Free State.
- Brahman – HBSG1446, Goley Storm of Triple-S Brahman, Olifantshoek, Northern Cape.
- Brangus – W2052, Gustav Erichsen of Gusvil Brangus, Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
- Limousin – LR1813, AJ du Toit Tulbagh of La Rhone Agri (Pty) Ltd, Western Cape.
- Simbra – HB17212C, Dewet Prinsloo of Tzobaas Simbra, Namibia.
- Simmentaler – PJO183, Meghan Kachelhoffer of Kaggies Boerdery, Witbank, Mpumalanga.
The overall winner was the Simbra bull, HB17212C, Tzobaas Simbra.
Veeplaas Cow Group of the Year Award
This award honours exceptional groups of cows from different breeds. The winners were:
- Brangus – Ty Chevallier Cobbold of Inglewood Brangus, Ugie, Eastern Cape.
- Braford – Bremer family of Heelbo Boerdery, Rosendal, Free State.
- Brahman – Jan van Zyl of Kroon Vee Boerdery, Vryburg, North West.
- Limousin – John and Tracey Devonport of Devlan Limousins, Water’s Edge, Vaaldam, Mpumalanga.
- Simbra – Chris Richter of Richter Simbras, Bloemfontein, Free State.
- Simmentaler – Dr Petrus and Faan du Toit of Econotech Simmentaler, Hope Town, Northern Cape.
Econotech Simmentaler was the overall winner.
LRF Michael J Bradfield bursary
The LRF Michael J Bradfield bursary went to Daniélle Alberts, a PhD student in Animal Breeding and Genetics at the University of Pretoria.
Service to industry award
The Service to the Industry Award, which recognises individuals and organisations for their valuable contribution to the red meat industry, went to renowned veterinarian and media personality, Dr Faffa Malan. While presenting the award to Malan, Styger said it was an immense honour for him to be able to hand over this award to one of his role-models. – Christal-Lize Muller, Plaas Media
