Dairy R&D in SA

by Heinz Meissner

Click on any of the publications below to read more about the specific topic:


  • MAIZE HARDNESS AS A QUALITY CRITERIUM IN DAIRY COW DIETS.

    Discipline: nutritive value; Keywords: maize hardness, near-infrared spectroscopy, PSI, RVA, intra-lab analysis, feed industry.

  • HETEROGENIC VARIANCE BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW INPUT DAIRY SYSTEMS.

    Discipline: breeding; Keywords: high and low input systems, heterogeneity, selection, INTERGIS, milk yield, ranking of sires.

  • SUSTAINABILITY IN THE SA DAIRY INDUSTRY: A REPORT ON THE STATUS AND PROGRESS – AUGUST 2020.

    Discipline: environment; Keywords: GHG, soil health, waste management, water quality, biodiversity, socio-economics, dairy product quality, animal care.



    The report is structured according to the FAO-IDF Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam (DDoR) and the Dairy Sustainability Framework (DSF), which endorses the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and provides guidelines for sustainable development. The report in particular pays attention to (1) environmental integrity as it pertains to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, soil health and nutrient supply, waste management, water quality and quantity, and biodiversity; (2) socio-economics in terms of market development, rural stability and farm worker conditions; (3) dairy product quality and safety, and (4) animal care.

  • STILLBIRTHS IN SA HOLSTEINS.

    Discipline: reproduction; Keywords: SA Holsteins, stillbirth, EBV’s, genetic evaluation, environmental effects.



    Stillbirth remains a problem in dairy herds in many countries and is increasingly included in national breeding objectives. In South Africa, however, we lack reliable information on the incidence of stillbirth that can be used to improve this trait genetically. Currently, there are no estimated breeding values (EBVs) for any measures of calving performance produced under the national genetic evaluation programmes. The aim of the study by the authors cited below was therefore to assess the incidence of stillbirth and determine environmental factors affecting the trait in South African Holstein cattle. 

  • IS NITROUS OXIDE NOW THE MAJOR GHG CONCERN IN AGRICULTURE?

    Discipline: environment; Keywords: methane, nitrous oxide, GHG, shale gas, denitrification, life cycle analysis, N fertilization.

  • CARBON EMISSIONS AND SEQUESTRATION ON DAIRY FARMS IN SA.

    Discipline: environment; Keywords: Greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sinc, pasture-based dairy farms, soil carbon levels, soil health, biodiversity.

  • PRIORITY RESEARCH STILL TO BE DONE ON MILK FLOCCULATION IN SA.

    Discipline: quality; Keywords: Phosphate, Alizarol test, Psychrotropic bacteria, NIR, biofilms, gelation, UHT milk.

  • CAN PRE-WEANED CALVES BE FED ONCE A DAY INSTEAD OF TWICE A DAY?

    Discipline: calf rearing; Keywords: once or twice a day milk feeding, labour costs, health, mortality, rumen development.

  • The possible dilemma of feeding concentrates on pasture.

    Discipline: feeding; Keywords: concentrate feeding, milk yield, stocking rate, replacement, diminishing returns, gross margin.

  • KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR JERSEY COWS ON TMR.

    Discipline: management; Keywords: KPI’s, TMR, breakeven milk yield, reproduction parameters, margin above feed costs.