CompanyAnnouncement - Animal and Poultry Science students from the School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal shone in various categories of the cattle competition at the Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg this year, with particular achievement in the carcass auction, where one of their entries set a new South African record. This is the first time that UKZN students have had a champion carcass since 1999.

Ms Liberty Nkuna was awarded 1st place in the Future Farmers Steers class, Ms Nokwethaba Ntuli won a 2nd in the commercial steer over 450kg class and Mr Rhys Boast winning 3rd place in the Future Farmers Best Handler class, where competitors in all classes are watched for their handling. UKZN was also awarded a 1st and 4th place in the un-haltered class competition. At the carcass auction, Nkuna’s steer carcass was named champion, and was auctioned for a record price of R150/kg, with the winning bid going to the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban.

Each year, students from the discipline participate in the steer project that takes them to the Royal Show where they take part in various competitions to show their animals. This aspect of the students' learning is extracurricular, with students who are interested in taking part given the opportunity to do so thanks to the work of Dr Nicky Tyler and Dr Marion Young in the discipline, who undertook the management of this project voluntarily. Young and Tyler feel that the presence of UKZN students in the Show is important as they represent some of the institution's agricultural studies, and also see it as an opportunity for the students to benefit from exposure to industry and experiential learning.

Thanks to the support of industry, the Animal and Poultry Science staff has been able to afford students the chance to be a part of competition at the Show. The ten animals taken to the Show this year were secured through Andrew Adams of Virbac with the assistance of Bryan Mills from De Heus, with Adams and Mills supplying sponsorship for medication, feed and other associated costs. Tyler arranged for the acquisition of training halters, brushes/curry combs and shirts, and SAEES provided funds for show halters and hay. The students involved were also able to raise funds for some of the running costs incurred by their participation in the Show, making the experience all the more valuable for them.

The experience allows students to gain experience in handling animals and learn about feeding and finishing cattle. The students also have the chance to show other cattle at the Show. Preparation for the event involved the students weighing their animals weekly and recording their feed intake, allowing them to calculate average daily gain and food conversion efficiency. According to Tyler, through the project they also get to know their fellow students better and learn to work effectively as a team. The 21 students taking part this year were mostly 3rd years.

Tyler expressed the group's gratitude to staff members at the Ukulinga Research Farm, Sam and Alet, who were instrumental in the care of the animals at the farm.