WATCH: Eland Zakithi Stud dominates Bulawayo Agricultural Show 2026 Sheep and Goats competition

ELAND Zakithi Stud dominated the Bulawayo Agricultural Show 2026 Sheep and Goats competition scooping the grand champion and winner in six other categories.

The 115th Bulawayo Agricultural Show 2026 hosted by the Bulawayo Agricultural Society (BAS) is currently running on the sidelines of the 66th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2026, showcasing agricultural innovation, livestock and crops.

The Sheep and Goats competition featured five exhibitors being Eland Zakithi, Matopos Research Institute, Bulembe Farm, Esigodini Agricultural College and Mr Nkululeko Sibindi for 13 categories.

Eland Zakithi Stud founder, Mr Xolisani Mpofu could not hide his happiness for being the grand champion and winning in six categories for the breeds namely the meat master ram, Boer goat buck, Boer goat doe, Kalahari red buck, Kalahari red doe and Savanna buck.

“This is a great moment for us as Eland Zakithi Stud to be the grand champion of Bulawayo Agricultural Show 2026 Sheep and Goats competition as well as winner in six categories. We are very happy for the other participants that were competing and won in other categories, which shows how stiff the competition was,” he said.

He said they started goat breeding 10 years ago and they have been growing in leaps and bounds with some of their best Boer bucks and rams fetching over US$2 800 each and does and ewes US$1 800 each, while they specialised in breeds such as Boer goats, Kalahari, Savanna and the meat master sheep.

Mr Mpofu said they continue to commercialise goat breeding which involves shifting from subsistence to intensive management by improving herd genetics, upgrading housing and maintaining strict, record-driven production schedules for high-demand markets.

He added: “Goats give return of investment quicker than many other livestock ventures due to low initial costs, fast reproduction and high demand for meat. A single goat can generate profit in six to eight months, with many farmers experiencing 60 percent or higher returns by selling mature goats or breeding stock within one to two years.”

Mr Mpofu said associations such as the Goat Breeders Association of Zimbabwe (GBAZ) continue to promote goat farming, providing industry resources, and hosting training events like the Annual Goat Indaba to empower goat farmers.

He said they also have the newly formed Boer Goat Society of Zimbabwe (BGSZ), a chapter of GBAZ which is set to champion breed standards that encourage the breeding of an improved Boer goat with increased economic value to commercial goat meat production.

“I was appointed the Executive Council Chairman to ensure we promote Boer goats, one of the most desirable goat breed for meat production because of its body conformation, fast growth rate and good carcass quality.”

BAS Goats and Sheep chairperson, Mr Peter Mukombe said as BAS they were grateful to the few five exhibitors who were able to exhibit their animals and make this year’s show possible.

“Exhibitors were limited due to the current foot and mouth disease (FMD) situation affecting our country. Only a few could meet the requirements set by the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) at short notice, this also was due to Bulawayo DVS only receiving test kits late,” he said.

“We would like to congratulate the winners and thank our judges, who in turn also took the judging process as an opportunity to educate/teach our farmers.”

In other categories Matopos Research Institute scooped winner for breeds Sabi ram, Sabi ewe and indigenous goats doe, Esigodini Agricultural College won for the indigenous goats buck, while Bulembe Farm won for the Saanen doe and Mr Nkululeko Sibindi was winner for any other breed ram.

The competitions were sponsored by Capital Foods, National Foods, Meadows and SAFECO.

GBAZ vice chairperson, Ms Yvonne Sibanda said the competitions were invaluable and they assist farmers to truly understand breed standards.

“Once we know the value of each animal, we can confidently commercialise. The vision of GBAZ is to see goat breeding become a thriving and commercial industry for Zimbabwe.”