The 54th annual South African Meat Merino (SAVM) National Show just took place in March 2023, continuing a tradition that began in 1979. Held at Bloemfontein’s Showgrounds, the event is scheduled during this time as it’s most suitable for SAVM breeders. For breeders with a summer breeding season, April marks peak lambing time, while for those with a winter breeding season, mating occurs in April and peak lambing in September. SAVM National Auctions are held in August, requiring rams to be sheared in February or March.

 

This ensures comparable wool lengths at the auctions and allows for clear identification of gaps and strengths when freshly sheared animals are judged at the March show. Since 2017, only rams up to two years old have been shown. From this selective group, the very best rams are entered into the four National Auctions held in August. This year, 25 studs showcased a total of 400 rams at the championships. As long as over 15% of breeders participate, the show remains meaningful, ensuring the breed is well-represented at the event. 

The National Show offers a fantastic opportunity for breeders to compare their animals with current market offerings and identify potential rams for purchase at the upcoming auctions. This friendly competition allows breeders to measure their rams against others of similar age and weight. Conformation and wool assessments are visual, with predicted breeding values for auctioned rams available in printed catalogs, aiding buyers in making informed decisions. The show-to-auction period gives breeders and advisors ample time to evaluate rams, weigh options, and make balanced choices.