ideal networking opportunity for livestock value chain

What is the purpose of the Nampo Alfa expo?

Nampo Alfa is a collection of projects and initiatives that create opportunities for a broad spectrum of role players in South African agriculture to come together, particularly for the benefit of the livestock industry. The focus of the event is not on the number of animals exhibited but on their quality.

The expo is built on three core values: scientific animal improvement, youth involvement, and the relevance of livestock production to the consumer. The objective is to cover as broad a range of events as possible during the expo to create platforms through which these values can be developed.

Tell us more about the beef cattle interbreed competition.

The Old Mutual National Interbreed Beef Cattle Championships brings together the top-performing cattle from the seven major shows that were held during the preceding year to compete in a single arena. The breeders of grand champion bulls and cows from the respective shows were invited to compete in this year’s competition to determine the best animals on a national level. This includes the winners from shows like the Swartland Show, Bloem Show, and Vryburg Show.

The interbreed competition highlights proficiency and efficiency in beef cattle breeding production in South Africa. It culminates in the selection of the supreme champion among all the different breed winners.

Nampo Alfa will host the 2025 Lamb Champs final. What can visitors expect?

This competition is probably one of the most successful agricultural product promotions right now, showcasing South African lamb and educating the public about the meat’s exceptional quality. This is underscored by the roughly 15 000 visitors who attended this year’s Lamb Champs events.

The final always proves to be a highlight at Nampo Alfa and, as in the regional rounds, it focuses on carcass and meat quality, with professional chefs preparing the lamb on the spit.

Why is youth involvement such an important part of Nampo Alfa?

This year, six school teams will be participating in the Laeveld Agrochem Farm Skills competition for learners. It includes categories such as cattle and sheep selection and adjudication, sheep shearing and wool classification, grain seed identification, and the building of box carts. One of the highlights is the informal box cart race that follows.

The value of this programme lies in giving learners an opportunity to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom. Around 200 learners from as far afield as Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape are expected this year.

Tell us more about SpekGesprek 2025.

Beyond the beef cattle championships, Nampo Alfa also aims to introduce visitors to livestock farming in general. To that effect, the participation of the pork industry has markedly increased, culminating in a live panel discussion called SpekGesprek 2025 on the final day of the expo. Industry experts will cover topics like innovation, data, and growth in pig farming. The discussion will be hosted by Agritistics, the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation, and Eskort.

What are some of the other highlights at this year’s expo?

Non-traditional livestock will also be exhibited, including poultry and rabbits. Another must-see event in the livestock section is the annual Voermol Mega Ox competition. Last year’s winning ox weighed in at a record of just over 1,4t, and all indications are that the record will be broken this year.

Email Albert Loubser at [email protected].