Outeniqua Information Day 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed us into the world of virtual meetings and online events, a big change for those of us who love discussing our science while standing in the milking parlour or in our pastures. It took some getting used
to, but who would have thought that four years later, we would find ourselves in a similar situation—this time because of an animal disease outbreak?
At the Outeniqua Research Farm near George, we were excited to share our latest research and show you our cows and pastures in person. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, we’re connecting with you virtually again this year. We also miss the chance to say a heartfelt goodbye in person to Prof. Robin Meeske, Specialist Scientist in Animal Sciences, who retired on August 30th after 29 years of dedicated service at Outeniqua. We are incredibly grateful for his remarkable contributions and will honour his legacy as we move forward with new ideas and projects, under the leadership of his successor, whom we hope to appoint soon.
Outeniqua Research Farm is the only one of its kind in the country, and despite serious budget challenges, we are committed to sustaining the important work we do. Over the past year, Outeniqua has continued to welcome visits from scientists, student groups, and representatives from the animal feed, dairy, and pasture seed industries, both locally and internationally. The research teams here have consistently demonstrated their expertise at both national and international levels, motivating us to keep sharing our knowledge with the local dairy industry.
Our scientists have the unique opportunity to work directly within the production stream and share ideas with local farmers and advisors during study group meetings. This collaboration ensures that our researchers stay well-informed and connected to the real-world challenges and needs of the dairy industry. For this continuous partnership, we are sincerely grateful. We value your participation in our research process and extend an open invitation to visit us at Outeniqua once the shadow of Foot and Mouth Disease has passed. Together, we can enhance our research efforts to support the profitability and sustainability of the dairy industry.
The virtual Outeniqua Information Day 2024 will be available on our website, with a link provided for easy access to the presentations and our annual booklet containing the latest research results.