Dairy R&D in SA

Discipline: nutrition/feeding; 

Discipline: mastitis; 

Discipline: environment; Key words: carbon footprint, efficiency, solar panels, energy-saving bulbs, fuel-efficient vehicles, good pasture management, conservation agriculture.

Discipline: quality; Key words: milk flocculation, protease activity, Bacillus, plasminogen, heat treatment.

Discipline: food safety; Key words: Bacillus cereus, spores, Extended Shelf Life milk, CIP, heat and chemicals, biofilms.

The sustainability of current nitrogen (N) fertilization regimes for minimum tillage kikuyu-ryegrass (Pennisetum clandestinum, Lolium multiflorum) pastures in the southern Cape is questioned. The guidelines, originally, were developed for conventional tillage and non-grazing systems. It may well be that these guidelines may not apply any more. In fact, there is the possibility that the N levels applied are too high with implications to both economics and leaching of unutilised N.

Members of the Enterobacteriaceae family have been associated with food safety and spoilage problems. Enterobacteriaceae can enter an inadequately cleaned dairy chain and cause enzymatic breakdown of proteins or lipids, instigating spoilage which contributes to substantial economic losses and wastage. Some Enterobacteriaceae have also emerged as potential opportunistic pathogens due to acquisition of virulence and antibiotic resistance and some, including E.

During the transition period (three weeks prior to three weeks after calving), dairy cows experience a period of considerable increase in energy demand coupled with a dramatic reduction in dry matter intake, leading to an unavoidable negative energy balance (NEB), which might cause metabolic and health problems, reduction in milk production as well as in reproductive performance. The site of starch digestion can modulate the negative effects associated with increased rumen starch fermentation such as feed intake, and the occurrence of problems encountered by transition cows.

The production and consumption of milk in the communal areas of the Eastern Cape Province is largely unknown. Although production is expected to be modest, there should be potential in the sector for purposes of household and commercial milk production. Consumption trends in these communities, with a population size of roughly 4 million people, may influence general milk consumption trends in the country. The aim of the study by the authors referenced below was to collect baseline information which could inform future research. 

Research in the past 50 years has shown that the general health of dairy cows can be improved by higher post-ruminal delivery and absorption of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially omega-3 (n-3) acid. Since flaxseed contains a high concentration of n-3, the objective of the authors cited below was to evaluate the effects of feeding the flaxseed-based supplement LinPro on the production and health of mid-to-late lactation multi-lactation Holstein cows.