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  3. MILK SA: R & D STATUS QUO AND OUTLOOK FOR THE STATUTORY LEVY CYCLE OF 2018 TO 2021.

MILK SA: R & D STATUS QUO AND OUTLOOK FOR THE STATUTORY LEVY CYCLE OF 2018 TO 2021.

    1. Statutory resolution: “To give effect to the purpose of designated levies to R & D as per Regulation R57 of 30 January 2009, which states: “Research and development are required to promote not only the viability of the dairy industry but also to promote the achievement of the other objectives of the Act as set out in section 2 (2) of the Act: Research is fragmented and action is required to ensure coordination and that research and development are functional in respect of the strategic direction of the industry, namely broadening of the market for milk and other dairy products, improvement of the international competitiveness of the South African industry, and empowerment of previously disadvantaged individuals. Furthermore, action is required to promote the practical application of local and international research and development in South Africa”.

    2. Principle: R & D to achieve these goals must address demonstrable problems, risk or need which impact on profitability, sustainability and continuous improvement of the dairy industry, as well as broadening the market for dairy products. Therefore the R & D must be solution focussed. However, before any research will be sanctioned, an investigation should be commissioned to ascertain whether appropriate managerial measures leading on to the research question are or have been implemented. Furthermore, a thorough literature study and supporting information should prove that the knowledge is not adequate to provide effective extension and/or training of the intended recipients.

  2. STRUCTURE TO CO-ORDINATE AND MANAGE R & D:

    The structure shown in Annexure 1 replaced the structure until 2016 and is expected to be functional during the period until 2021. Explanations are in the footnotes.

    The Dairy R & D Committee via the Management Committee is advised by members of the Dairy Research Forum and other expertise. The MPO and SAMPRO through their structures feed in demonstrable problems/needs to the Management Committee, which screens the proposals with regard to relevance and priority. Those proposals meeting the criteria are presented to the Dairy R & D Committee for further evaluation and allocation to suitable expertise and capacities to be developed into R & D protocols where appropriate. The Dairy R & D Committee finally proposes funding to the Milk SA Board.

                  Through networking and official agreements where applicable, but without being

                  descriptive, it is endeavoured to align the R & D agendas of research capacities in

                  the provinces, the ARC, SA Studbook, tertiary institutions etc, to the national goals

                  and objectives of the industry. In terms of funding, the networks allow access to

                  government funds, in addition to strengthening the possibility of obtaining access

                  to dedicated funding sources as made available by DAFF, DTI, DST and other

                  institutions. This may contribute significantly towards supplementing a limited

                  levy allocation to R & D, thereby supporting a sustainable R & D programme.  The

                  network requires continuous strengthening towards 2021 to ensure effective service

                  to the dairy industry.

     

  3. R & D FIELDS IDENTIFIED AND STRUCTURAL ARRANGEMENTS:

    The fields identified are:

  • Animal health, bio-security and welfare

  • Dairy products and nutraceuticals

  • Feed sources and animal nutrition

  • Food safety and quality

  • Genetics, physiology and reproduction

  • Markets and techno-economics

  • The environment.

  1. BUDGET ANTICIPATED FOR PERIOD 2018 to 2021:

    Not attached to this copy because of confidentiality reasons.

  2. CURRENT PROJECTS:

    1. R & D Field: Animal health, bio-security and welfare:

      1. Mastitis

        1. Project by UP (Onderstepoort), started in 2016 and is envisaged to be completed in 2019.

          Project title: Resistance to available antibiotics in lactating cows with mastitis.

          Project leader: Dr Martin van der Leek.

          Objectives in brief: Characterization and prevalence of mastitis-causing organisms, testing in vitro sensitivity of the organisms to antibiotics on the market, observing mastitis management programmes on farms and investigating sources of environmental and milking parlour contamination.

        2. Project by UKZN (Plant Pathology), started in 2015 and is envisaged to be completed in 2019.

          Project title: Investigating alternative methods such as bacteriophages and bacteriocins to control mastitis organisms.

          Project leader: Prof Mike Laing [plus post-doc Dr Iona Basdew].                                                                        Objectives in brief: Classify and determine efficacy of bacteriophages against Staphylococcus aureus where after other prominent mastitis-causing pathogens will follow; isolate bacteriocins from Staphylococcal and Streptococcal strains; do in vitro screening and efficacy tests; test promising isolates in vivo; develop commercial products.

          Comments: Promising bacteriophage isolates were identified in a PhD study (Iona Basdew) in 2013. Other isolates with or without bacteriocins are investigated to develop a mix to facilitate non-adaptation by mastitis pathogens. The mix is envisaged to lead to a commercial product.

      2. Fasciolosis (liver fluke):

        1. Project by UP (Onderstepoort), started in 2015 and is envisaged to be completed in 2019.

                 Project title: Fasciola hepatica: Impact on dairy production and

                 sustainable management on selected farms in South Africa.

                 Project leader: Dr Jan van Wyk.

                 Objectives in brief: Investigation of prevalence, seasonal trends,

                 mode of transmission of the parasite, management programmes

                 followed by farmers and anthelminthic efficacy for treatment. Some

                 emphasis is put on the control and management of the intermediate

                 snail host which is perceived to be the preferred way of controlling

                 Fasciolosis.     

        2. Project by UKZN (Plant Pathology), started in 2016 and is envisaged to be completed in 2020.

                                       Project title: Integrated control of liver flukes of cattle using

                                       botanical extracts and bio-control agents.

                                       Project leader: Prof Mark Laing [plus post-doc Dr Mawahib Ahmed]                                                                           

                                       Objectives in brief: Chemical extracts from plants with known

                                       medicinal characteristics in addition to potential bio-control agents

                                       such as fungi which attack the host snail are evaluated both in vitro

          sp;                          and in vivo.

                                      Comments: Chemical extracts used in the PhD study were effective in

                                      controlling sheep nematodes. Some are investigated to develop

                                      commercial products.

                                      

      3. Brucellosis:

        1. Project by the CSIR (Biosciences), started in 2016 and is envisaged to be completed in 2019.

          Project title: Point-of-care diagnostics for Bovine Brucellosis.

                                     Project leader: Dr Phiyani Lebea. 

                               Objectives: The point-of-care diagnostics for Bovine Brucellosis

                               propose establishment of a Brucella detection protocol that could be

                               designed for quick and initial verification on-farm. The main objective

                               is to develop two protocols, the first being a lateral flow (strip based)

                               immunoassay for detection of Brucellosis in milk samples and the

                               second being a workflow protocol for bulk milk testing.

                               Comments: The point-of-care identification of Brucella is based on a

                               device and lateral flow immuno-assay antigen-antibody methodology

                               and is tested in association with a dairy company in the Eastern Cape.

                                      

    2. R & D Field: Food safety and quality, plus Feed sources and animal nutrition:

      1. Milk flocculation:

        1. Project by UFS, started in 2016 and is envisaged to be completed in 2019. Project title: The significance of proteolytic psyghrotrophs as a cause of milk flocculation/protein instability                                                                       Project leader: Prof Celia Hugo, UFS.

          Objectives in brief: Psyghrotrophs are implicated for proteolysis since they can survive low temperatures in milk equipment; therefore the study to understand their possible relationship with milk flocculation.

          Comments: A rapid detection method for psyghrotrophs has been developed which should facilitate further study and may prove to become standard in processing plants.

        2. Project by UFS, started in 2016 and is envisaged to be completed in 2019.

          Project title: The impact of proteases and chemicals on milk flocculation Project leader: Dr Jacobus Myburgh, UFS.

          Objectives in brief: During heating for extended shelf life purposes enzymatic and other molecular changes can occur which may contribute to milk flocculation. These changes and relationships are studied.

          Comments: There is careful networking with Project 5.2.1.1 to distinguish proteolytic activity by psychrotrophs and enzymatic activity.

        3. Project by WCDA (Outeniqua), started in 2017 and is envisaged to be completed in 2019.                                                                                              Project title: The effect of anion/cation difference and potassium content of the diet on heat stability of milk.                                                                                                                   Project leader: Prof Robin Meeske, WCDA

          Objectives in brief: To vary the mineral, DCAD and other nutrients in cow diets to study possible reasons of milk flocculation on farm.

          Comments: Costs are covered by the WCDA budget, with the Milk SA R & D budget contributing only analytical costs.

    3. Genetics, Physiology and Reproduction:

      1. Genetic and performance monitoring programme:

        1. Analysis of automated systems:

                                      Project started in 2017 and is envisaged to be completed in 2019.

                                      Nature of project: Statistical trend monitoring of participating farmer

                                      results over time to establish progress of critical indicators.         

                                      Comments:  In the initial phase a Masters student (Anton Gresse) of

                                      UP evaluates appropriate methodology for evaluation together with

                                      a statistician and test the application with data of two farms. This

                                      may serve as a template for data of other farmers. This phase will be

                                      the initial investigation towards the programme envisaged in item

                                      6.1.1.

                                     

        2. Literature study on residual feed intake (RFI):

          Dr Carel Muller was contracted to do a literature study and make recommendations as to the applicability of what is envisaged in item 6.1.1.2.

          The study was completed in February 2017.

                        5.3.1.3. Genomic selection:

                                      Project started in 2017 and is envisaged to be completed in 2019.

                                      Nature of project: Reference populations are developed with

                                      genomic and phenotypic data which will form the basis to develop

                                      GEBV values for SA bulls.

                                      Comments: The project is funded by TIA and is conducted by the

                                      Livestock Genomics Consortium on behalf of the Dairy Industry, with

                                      managerial support from the MPO. As such, it is not a R & D project

                                     of Milk SA, but the outcomes are important within the context of the

                                     Genetic and Performance Programme. Several sub-projects with

                                     specific objectives are conducted.

                                      These are:

                                      DGP001: Makgahlela, M L. (ARC) - Genomic evaluation of dairy traits

                                      as a basis for accelerating food production in SA dairy cattle.

                                      DGP002: Makgahlela, M L. (ARC) - Determination of the genetic

                                      aspects of heifer and cow fertility in South African dairy cattle

                                      populations.

                                     DGP003: Joubert, R.C. (UP PhD study) - A genomic approach for an

                                     improved understanding of mastitis susceptibility in South African

                                     Holstein cattle.

                                     DGP004: Visser, C. (UP) - Genomic inbreeding estimation and

                                     effective population size of five SA dairy breeds.

                                     DGP005: Banga, C. (ARC) - Application of genomic technology for

                                     Accelerated genetic improvement of small holder and emerging dairy

                                     herds.

  3. PROJECTS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE:

    6.1. Genetics, Physiology and Reproduction:

            6.1.1. Genetic and performance monitoring programme:            

                       Motivation: The Dairy Industry must support and encourage progress in

                       the SA Dairy Herd in terms of genetic progress, output, efficiency and

                       economic sustainability. The programme is to consider a genetic

                       improvement and performance programme with development and

                       ownership of an extensive database that include automated systems, in

                       addition to milk recording data and other appropriate methods (e.g. RFI

                       and genomics).

                 

                 6.1.1.2.  Selection based on residual feed intake (RFI):

                                Depending on recommendations from item 5.3.1.2 and feasibility the

                                Project will start in 2018 and is envisaged to be completed in 2021

                                Nature of project: Data acquisition, statistical analysis,

                                demonstrations and monitoring on station and farm.

                                Comments: A project leader will be identified to drive the project,

                                develop prediction equations and interact with participating farmers.

               6.2.  Food safety and quality:

                       6.2.1.   Preventing/removing biofilms and food-borne pathogens in milk lines:

                                    Motivation: Biofilm and spore-forming organisms are implied in

                                    unsatisfactory shelf life of long-life milk. Some of them may be food

                                    - borne pathogens and therefore a (bio-security) food safety risk (e.g.

                                    Listeria and E.coli). The biofilm organisms are also associated with

                                    mastitis-causing pathogens and, because of protease activity, probably

                                    also with the problem of milk flocculation. Biofilms are normally

                                    removed with sanitizers or steam sterilization, UV and hydrogen