Outeniqua Research Farm Information Day 2025

As I write this final preface for the Outeniqua Information Day 2025 booklet after 22 years and a few months at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, I am filled with deep gratitude for the time I could spend at this esteemed establishment and in the most vibrant sector in South Africa.

Over these two decades, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the resilience of our sector, the brilliance of our scientists and farmers, and the unwavering commitment of all who believe in the future of sustainable agriculture.

In the past year the agricultural sector was challenged on many levels, including climate change and farming in a climate smart way to ensure sustainability and resource optimisation. But external challenges like the geopolitical situation, tariff hurdles, etc. made farming a real challenge, but our farmers stood the test of survival and drawing on support from various levels.

Our Department is committed to support our farmers, assist in increasing their production and lowering of input cost, and therefore the research portfolio is problem focused and farmer driven and we are committed to continue our support to our farmers, and in particular the farmers in the Southern Cape. We have also extended our impact with innovative tools like drone technology, spatial decision making tools and smart sensors, to name but a few.

This year our well known Outeniqua information day is again presented by a dedicated pasture and dairy research team who are not only experts in their respective fields, but who also know the researcher-farmer interface very well.
Please enjoy the day with us and thank you for your partnership with Outeniqua and its research team – jointly we can advance our productivity and sustainability.

Dr Ilse Trautmann