Dairy R&D in SA

by Heinz Meissner

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


ACROSS-COUNTRY GENETIC ANALYSIS FOR DAIRY CATTLE PERFORMANCE.

Discipline: Keywords: across-country genetic evaluation, genetic connectedness, genetic progress.



South Africa and Kenya rank among the top milk producing countries in Africa, whereas Zimbabwe ranks in the middle. These countries are unique on the continent in that they implement dairy production breeding programmes. South Africa has the highest milk yield per cow, with opportunities to export to other countries. South Africa is also often used as the main reference point for dairy improvement in Africa because countries such as Kenya, Zimbabwe and Rwanda source South African animals to improve their national dairy herds. Kenya and Zimbabwe may also serve as reference points for genetic evaluations in other countries of Africa.

INTERESTING RESULTS ON SOMATIC CELL COUNT FROM SA TEST DAY RECORDS.

Discipline: mastitis; Keywords: SCC, test day records, lactation, province, season, breed, variation explained.



One of the key traits in profitable milk production is somatic cell count (SCC). It is used as a measure of udder health and management thereof in terms of cleanliness, cow health and selection is paramount. Over years, a substantial data base has accumulated from the milk recording and management system, allowing analyses from different perspectives to better understand factors influencing SCC. Some factors not normally thought of provide interesting results as shown by the author cited below. 

THE EFFECT OF AGE AT FIRST CALVING ON LIFETIME EFFICIENCY.

Discipline: management; Keywords: age at first calving, lifetime efficiency, productive life, selection, genetic parameters. 

PROGRESS ON DEVELOPMENT OF PROBIOTIC YOGHURT WITH POTENTIAL ANTI-CANDIDAL AND ANTI-BACTERIAL ACTIVITY.

Discipline: yogurt; Keywords: Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, probiotics, antibacterial activity, antibiotic resistance, yogurt.

IS PSEUDOMONAS THE BIGGEST CONCERN IN MILK CONTACT SURFACES?

Discipline: contamination; Keywords: Pseudomonas fluorescens , psychrotrophic bacteria, refrigeration temperature, unhygienic surfaces, biofilms, milk flocculation, UHT milk.                 

NITROUS OXIDE ON PASTURES GRAZED BY DAIRY COWS.

Discipline: environment; Keywords: pasture system; dairy; nitrogen balance; greenhouse gas; emission factors.

PLANTAIN AND FESCUE IN PASTURES FOR DAIRY COWS IN THE SOUTHERN CAPE.

Discipline: pastures; Keywords: kikuyu-ryegrass, Tall fescue, plantain, mixture, fodder flow, milk yield.

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE OF A NOVEL STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS STRAIN IN SA.

Discipline: mastitis; Keywords: antibiotic resistance, MIC, Staphylococcus aureus, mastitis, somatic cell count, seasons, regions.

PROGRESS ON R & D AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES.

Discipline: sustainability; Keywords: environmental integrity, GHG, soil health, waste management, water, biodiversity, socio-economics, rural stability, farm worker conditions, quality and safety, animal care.

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.