Dairy R&D in SA

Cattle have been the focus of an intense debate between those concerned about, among other things, the possible negative effects on global warming, land degradation, food competition and human health, and those who are positive toward the possible role of cattle in maintaining global socio-economic and environmental sustainability. This paper reviews the pros and cons in view of a projected increase in demand for animal-based foods and therefore in cattle numbers. Analyses of cattle numbers and foods from various literature sources suggest gross overestimation towards 2050.

Kikuyu-ryegrass may no longer be optimum in the south-eastern Cape because of a number of reasons:
•    Extended periods of lower than expected rainfall
•    Poor persistence of ryegrass, with a decline of as much as 44% reported in even the most productive ryegrass cultivars from year one to year two

Discipline: genetic evaluation; 

Discipline: Nutrition/feeding;

Discipline: contamination; 

Probably under activist pressure and uninformed public perceptions, certain milk processors and retailers began to make label claims describing specific production systems and management procedures on dairy farms, thereby confusing consumers by creating the impression that milk produced under specific conditions is healthier or safer than other milk. Claims include the practice of organic farming, the non-use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides and ionophore antibiotics and the marketing of recombinant bovine somatotropin (r-bST) free milk.

Discipline: management; 

Discipline: dairy & health; 

Background provided by the authors:

Discipline: disease; 

With my regular column of DAIRY R & D IN SA on the website, I from time to time will give feedback on research projects which Milk SA funds. This will deal with progress and plans for the next year or phase. This project by the researchers at UKZN is in its first year of implementation and is envisaged to continue to at least 2019.

Discipline: grazing/pastures;