Sheep and Wool Those needing to take a break at this year’s <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Show</strong> in Pietermaritzburg were able to head to the newly revamped Sheep and Wool Expo, take a seat on a hay bale and be entertained by sheep shearing demonstrations and daily workshops on spinning, dyeing, knitting and felting There was also a range of products perfectly timed for winter, and visitors could buy wool slippers, women’s clothing, knitting yarns, scarves, hand-knitted jerseys, pullovers, hats, mohair blankets, shawls, socks and much more. The Sheep and Wool Expo welcomed two new exhibitors this year, both of which appealed to foodies. Karusaf, a division of Williston Abattoir, came all the way from the Northern Cape, and exhibited free-range, certified Karoo lamb. Their products included cut and packed full and half lamb, as well as their innovative Braai Box, containing braai essentials. Karoo Goats Milk Products also exhibited for the first time. This company has won numerous cheese awards, and was awarded the coveted trophy for SA Cham- pion Goat’s Milk Halloumi for <strong>2018</strong>. There were a number of return exhibitors this year. Yarn Stash Pmb, owned by local independent dyer, Wendy Bloy, specialises in dyeing small quantities of “one of a kind”, unrepeatable colourways. The yarn bases are Merino, Mohair and Blue-faced Leicester, and include double knitting, sock weight or “fingering” yarns, all of which are processed in South Africa. Goats had a strong presence this year, and the KZN Indigenous Veld Goat Club once again represented the goat fraternity with outstanding goats and kids. The Club partnered with Vleissentraal and the <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Show</strong> to host a commercial all-breeds auction on Saturday, 2 June. The KZN Goat Agribusiness Project also returned to the Expo. This group of agricultural innovators has seen the potential in goats to boost food security and stimulate small entrepreneurs. The <strong>Agricultural</strong> Research Council once again presented an informative, interactive display of livestock and some of their projects. As a popular, interactive exhibit, the Sheep and Wool Expo is a firm favourite for children and adults alike, and has been an ongoing success at the <strong>Show</strong>. As one of the exhibits that demonstrate the <strong>Show</strong>’s tradition of introducing town to country, its popularity is largely due to the fact that it covers all aspects of sheep and wool, from conception to consumption. It is a unique kind of expo, in that the raw and retail products, as well as the animals they are derived from, are seen side by side. 60 <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Show</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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