R&D Disciplines & Specialist Reference Groups

Priority subjects:

• Feeding strategies in different systems (e.g. high input, low input, small scale);
• optimal utilization of feed resources (e.g. eco-efficiency of pastures, pasture yield and management, nutritive value of cultivars);
• improvement of efficiency and profitability through nutrition;
• manipulation of rumen fermentation (e.g. alternatives to antibiotics, additives and their associative effects);
• feeding management of the transition cow (e.g. prevention of metabolic diseases, feeding strategies, building a strong immune system);
• nutritional management of the pre-weaned and post-weaned heifer.

Key Opinion Leaders as Specialist R & D Advisers:

• Dr. Meissner, H. (MSA) (DRDC)
• Mr. Botha, K. (Barnlab) (DRF)
• Dr. Du Toit, L. (UP)
• Mr. Lok, N. (Producer) (DRDC)
• Prof. Meeske, R. (WCDA) (DRDC)
• Mr. Neethling, H. (Producer) (DRDC)
• Prof. Raffrenato, E. (US) (DRF)
• Prof. Swanepoel, P. (US) (DRF)
• Prof. Truter, W. (UP)
• Ms. Van der Colf, J. (WCDA)
• Prof. Van Zyl, B. (US)

Priority subjects:

• Nutrient composition of dairy products

• processing/manipulation (e.g., technologies and processes for improved, nutritious and healthy products [e.g., with probiotics], identification/extraction of nutraceuticals)

• products for lower income groups

• importance and benefits of dairy products (eg. compositional attributes, vitamin D, calcium, folic acid, CLA, TFA)

• consumer needs and perceptions.

Key Opinion Leaders as Specialist R & D Advisers:

• Mr Boshoff, J. (FairCape) (DRDC)
• Prof. Buys, E. (UP) (DRF)
• Mr. Du Plessis, C. (Fruca)
• Prof. Gouws, P. (US)
• Ms. Leighton, C. (Dairycep) (DRF)
• Mr. Mulder, J. (Agri-Expo)
• Dr. Myburgh, J. UFS) (DRF)
• Prof. Osthoff, G. (UFS)
• Prof. Schönfeldt, H. (UP)
• Ms. Vermaak, M. (Dairycep)

Priority subjects:

• Genetic/performance recording

• improvement and implementation of Logiχ, INTERGIS and other relevant (automatic) systems

• genetic markers and genomics

• influence of climate change (e.g. heat stress) on breeding goals and reproduction

• selection for longevity considering critical reproductive criteria, immune system, mastitis and udder health, lameness, other animal welfare issues

• improvement of productivity, efficiency and profitability through breeding (e.g. exploiting additive and heterosis attributes, implementation of residual feed intake, etc)  

Key Opinion Leaders as Specialist R & D Advisers:

• Prof. Erasmus, T. (Private) (DRDC)
• Prof. Dzama, K. (US)
• Mr. Fourie, C. (DMC) (DRDC)
• Ms. Joubert, R. (Chemunique)
• Mr. Lok, N. (Producer) (DRDC)
• Prof. Maiwashe, N. (ARC-Irene)
• Dr. Mostert, B. (Studbook) (DRF)
• Dr. Muller, C. (US)
• Prof. Neser, F. (UFS)
• Mr. Neethling, H. (Producer) (DRDC)
• Dr. Rust, J (ECDA) (DRF)
• Prof. Scholtz, M. (ARC-Irene)
• Dr. Van der Westhuizen, B. (StudB)
• Dr. Van der Westhuizen, J. (StudB)
• Dr. Van Dijk, C. (DairyVetZA)
• Prof. Van Marle-Köster, E. (UP) (DRF)

Priority subjects:

• Handling and utilization of waste and effluent (e.g. bio-digesting and electricity generation)

• quantification and updating of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from production and processing operations

• studies and training to mitigate GHG and limit environmental impact

• reduction of the water footprint in production and processing operations

• carbon sequestration and storage

• carbon off-set schemes

• ecosystem and wetland sustainability

• maintenance of biodiversity

• fertilization specifications

• soil health and organisms.

Key Opinion Leaders as Specialist R & D Advisers:

• Dr. Ohlhoff, C. (FairCape) (DRDC)
• Prof. Blignaut, J. (Asset Research)
• Mr. Bredin, I. (NRI)
• Dr. Dabrowsky, J. (Confluent Env.)
• Dr. Du Toit, L. (UP)
• Dr. Galloway, C. (Trace & Save)
• Dr. Kleynhans, T. (US)
• Mr. Kraamwinkel, A. (SAMPRO) (DRDC)
• Prof. Meeske, R. (WCDA) (DRF)
• Dr. Meissner, H. (MSA) (DRDC)
• Ms. Reinecke, R, (FarmVision)
• Dr. Rust, J. (ECDA) (DRF)
• Prof. Scholtz, M. (ARC-Irene)
• Prof. Sigge, G. (US)
• Dr. Smith, H. (Asset Research)
• Prof. Swanepoel, P. (US) (DRF)
• Prof. Truter, W. (UP)
• Viljoen, S (WWF-SA)

Priority subjects:

• Dairy management

• precision farming and technological development

• national and international benchmarking (e.g. through IFCN)

• analyses of profitability and sustainability of production operations in different regions

• market analyses and trends

• dairy value chain analysis

• strategic support and interventions

• regulatory research.

Key Opinion Leaders as Specialist R & D Advisers:

• Mr. Fouché, Nico (MSA) (DRDC)
• Prof. Blignaut, James (Asset Research)
• Mr. Bomford, Aidan (Intelac)
• Mr. Botha, Kenneth (Barnlab) (DRF)
• Mr. Burger, Jompie (DSA) (DRDC)
• Mr. Fourie, Chris (DMC) (DRDC)
• Dr. Kleynhans, Theo (US)
• Mr. Kraamwinkel, Alwyn (SAMPRO) (DRDC)
• Mr. Lok, Nigel (Producer) (DRDC)
• Prof. Louw, André (UP)
• Mr. Van der Westhuizen, Divan (BFAP)
• Dr. Van Dijk, Chris (DairyVetZA)
• Mr. Venter, Lieb (Farmvision)

Priority subjects:

• National disease monitoring and extension

• development of rapid on-site diagnostic tools for Brucellosis and other pathogen detection

• mastitis and udder health

• immune system and support strategy

• nutrition and feeding in the context of immune system and health support

• biological control as alternative to antibiotic and drug treatment

• cow comfort (e.g. early detection of stress and other problems, machine functionality, cow handling in the parlour, general welfare)

• raw milk handling on farms;

• lameness

• bio-security survey and benchmarking

• Code of Bio-security Best Practices

• bio-security measures implemented and monitored

• ONE-HEALTH concept

• African diseases

Key Opinion Leaders as Specialist R & D Advisers:

• Dr. Kotze, T. (Vet/Research)
• Mr. Burger, J. (DSA) (DRDC)
• Dr. Davis, A. (HVC))
• Mr. Fourie, C. (DMC) (DRDC)
• Dr. Karzis, J. (UP) (DRF)
• Prof. Laing, M. (UKZN)
• Dr. Malan, F. (RuVASA)
• Dr. Moerane, R. (DAFF)
• Dr. Odendaal, D. (V-Net)
• Dr. Van Dijk, C. (DairyVetZA)
• Dr. Van Wyk, J. (UP)

Priority subjects:

• Residues in milk (e.g. toxic and antibiotic residues, test methods and prevalence)

• detection, characterization and control of new and emerging pathogens

• biofilms

• biological control methodology

• milk and dairy product quality (e.g. quality of raw milk [microbial, SCC], effects on processed products downstream, effect of feed and breed on milk composition and the resulting effect on milk and dairy product quality)

• milk flocculation

• UHT age gelation.

Key Opinion Leaders as Specialist R & D Advisers:

• Mr. Burger, J. (DSA) (DRDC)
• Prof. Buys, E. (UP) (DRF)
• Mr. Du Plessis, C. (Fruca)
• Prof. Gouws, P. (US)
• Prof. Hugo, C. (UFS)
• Dr. Karzis, J. (UP) (DRF)
• Ms. Marais, A. (Woodlands)
• Prof. Meeske, R. (WCDA) (DRF)
• Dr. Myburgh, J. (UFS)
• Mr. Venter, G. (SAMPRO) (DRF)