Zebaldt Ngaruka
The Brahman breed scooped the top honours at the recent Okatumba Gate Agricultural Show at Eiseb Block in Omaheke region. In the female Brahman breed category, a cow from Karima Brahman Stud was crowned breed champion, a senior champ and champion of all breeds.
A junior bull from Kavari Brahman Stud, based at Orusuvo in Eiseb Block, scooped the breed champion and also went on to be crowned champion of all breeds. In the small stock category, a young Van Rooi breed sheep from Omaheke Jekohasana Farming took the junior champion trophy and also went on to win the reserve breed champion award.
A senior ram from Omaheke Jekohasana Farming also took home the senior champion accolade and was also crowned breed champion of all winning sheep.
The veldmasters trophy went to PH Farming after the junior ewe emerged as champion in the junior category and also went on to win the reserve champion accolade. A Boer goat from Okozongune Stud Farming owned by Kevin Herunga took home a senior champion ram, breed champion, and champion of all breed winners.
A Savanna goat owned by Kao Berg Stud farming is the senior breed champion of the winning breeds. Ndiriro Kavari, who is the manager of the champion Brahman bull, said that despite the overwhelming victory, he is emotional as his father, who owns the bull, passed on and cannot witness its achievement.
“It is very emotional, and we have to keep our father’s legacy alive,” said Kavari.
Veldmaster category winner Michael Ndjoze from Otjiua Plot said it was not an easy competition but happy that he took accolades home.
“We put a lot of effort, and we will be participating in the upcoming expos in Epukiro and Okamatapati,” Ndjoze alluded.
Herunga said his victory in the small stock category is characterised by his sleepless efforts to his ram.
“I maintained its feeding programme well and I am happy for the results, and even its offspring did well in various categories,” Herunga said.
Organiser of the event Pelson Hoveka said he was impressed by the high turnout of the young farmers in showcasing their products.
“It was marvelous, the future looks bright, and the quality of the animals shown here is testimony to the hard work of young people in the farming fraternity,” explained Hoveka.
Despite the lack of sponsorship to host this event, he said the Okatumba Gate Agricultural Show Society dug deeper in their pockets to pay the winners.