Directorate: Animal Sciences
The Directorate: Animal Sciences conducts research on aspects of herd management, breeding, nutrition and welfare of dairy cattle, sheep, ostriches, and, to a lesser extent, aquaculture. The main focus of the research programme is to improve production efficiency, which contributes to the increase of nett profit and in turn, the assurance of food security. The transfer of technology information to stakeholders forms an integral part of the research programme and new information from research efforts are published in both scientific and popular formats. This expertise is also transferred directly to farmers and relevant industries via advice and talks provided by the research scientists at the Directorate. Extensive research facilities includes a feeds laboratory, whilst the Directorate maintains eleven herds and flocks of national importance, which are crucial in the research effort.
Did you know that the Directorate: Animal Sciences?
- Conducts research in the programmes of feeding, breeding/genomics and management of dairy cattle, sheep, ostriches and aquaculture.
- Focuses its research on improving efficiency of production under a variety of environments.
- Has a world-renowned ostrich research team and facilities.
- Has two dairy research facilities at Outeniqua and Elsenburg.
- Executes projects at Nortier, Langgewens, Elsenburg, Tygerhoek, Oudsthoorn and Outeniqua and on various farms of producers.
- Collaborates with various tertiary institutions locally, nationally and internationally on various research programmes and projects.
Animal Sciences Scientists
Dr Cornelius Nel currently participates in research in quantitative genetics and breeding of livestock. He was a principal investigator of the first studies validating the use of genomic data in genetic prediction of South African Merino sheep but has also worked on lamb survival and cold stress resilience. His ongoing research agenda includes heat stress response of different sheep breeds and the genetic prediction of fitness traits in different species. Nelius.Nel@westerncape.gov.za
Dr Pfunzo Muvhali focuses on animal reproduction, animal behaviour and animal welfare with a particular interest in the use of assisted reproductive technologies to enhance livestock production. His research was instrumental in validating that training male ostriches for semen collection does not affect mating behaviour in natural environments! Pfunzo.Muvhali@westerncape.gov.za
Dr Pieter Theron’s main research agenda is focused on small ruminants’ production and production systems with specific interest in optimizing sheep farming techniques and enterprises to allow them to survive in the ever-changing and challenging production environment. Pieter is also involved in the Bonsmara Bull project, a joint enterprise between the APSD, RTDS and the Western Cape Agricultural Research Trust, which distributes superior genetic material to emerging beef cattle farmers in the Western Cape Province. Pieter.Theron@westerncape.gov.za
Ms Marline Burger focuses on the preservation, breeding and promotion of the Percheron draft horse breed with special interest on reproduction using the first and oldest Percheron Stud in South Africa. She focuses on breeding excellent animals with a wide spectrum of genetic material of pure-bred Percherons while keeping inbreeding to a minimum, thus placing high quality breeding material at the disposal of the public and other Percheron breeders at affordable prices. The horses are also utilized by Elsenburg College’s Equine Studies’ students for practical learning experience. Marline.Burger@westerncape.gov.za
Dr Anel Engelbrecht does research on ostriches and focusses on breeding, welfare and product quality. She currently drives the ostrich breeding program where breeding values are estimated for various traits of economic importance for genetic improvement of the research flock. Genetic material from the flock is made available to the ostrich industry through selling of day-old chicks and an annual auction of young breeder birds. She also investigates production practices that can improve chick survival, ostrich welfare and the quality of ostrich products (feathers and leather). Anel.Engelbrecht@westerncape.gov.za
Dr Zanell Brand conducts research on reproduction, welfare and behaviour of ostriches with special focus on the embryonic development and artificial incubation of ostriches’ eggs. Dr Brand has ongoing investigations on embryonic mortalities and hatching of viable chicks which are still a major problem in the ostrich industry leading to huge economic losses. Zanell.Brand@westerncape.gov.za
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