Gauteng Smallholder May 2017 | Page 11

WALKERVILLE SHOW O utbreaks of livestock diseases brought on by the unseasonally Left: Fresh vegetables on sale from a local wet late summer enjoyed by farmers’ co-operative Gauteng conspired to cause the withdrawal of most of the four-legged livestock from this year's Walkerville Agricultural Show. Only days before the show, organisers were faced with cancellations of entries from livestock owners whose animals were taken ill, or by owners concerned with their charges catching ailments from others while at the show. This left them with no time Above: Plenty of variety to source replace- in the stalls. Left: Entrants could win ment entries and a goat if they could as a result the guess its weight animal stalls during correctly the show were largely empty. The exceptions Right: Judging poultry is a serious business 9 www.sasmallholder.co.za were the poultry and rabbit entries which were both well- organised and fully-stocked and, in the case of the rabbits at least, of an increasingly high standard, said judges. Held over two days in early April the Walkerville Show retains the atmosphere of a traditional country fair, replete with all manner of country craft and food stalls, farmers' produce competitions, entertainment for children and Continued on page 10