Dairy R&D in SA

Introduction: Methane produced by ruminants (also called enteric methane) is in the spotlight because of assumptions about its high global warming potential. This has resulted in perceptions and policies with profound effects on worldwide ruminant, especially cattle, keeping and production.

The bioactivity of fermented milk products has been attributed to bioactive metabolites, mainly short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and peptides generated during the fermentation process by starter and probiotic species.

Fungi in dairy pastures in the Eastern Cape are known to adversely affect cattle health, but the diversity of fungal species has not been well-studied.

Motivation: (1) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission and sequestration data of the dairy industry, in fact the whole livestock sector, are inadequate for reliable calculation and, (2) the methodology used in calculation by authorities are limiting and is predicted to be detrimental to future sustainability if not addressed.

Soil carbon is the primary measure of soil organic matter (SOM) and is a key indicator of soil health and quality.

Dairy production systems worldwide contribute significantly to anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for about 4% of global emissions which presumably poses both a climate change and sustainability risk.

The South African dairy industry faces growing pressure to balance production efficiency with environmental, social, and economic sustainability goals. Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), implemented through the Dairy Standard Agency’s (DSA) Code of Practice for Producers, provide a structured framework to promote sustainable outcomes across various farming systems.

Dairy farming is an important contributor to both South Africa’s economy and food security. However, dairy in South Africa, like elsewhere in the world, has come under scrutiny because of animal welfare concerns and contributions to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Integrative management models are an attractive future option for the South African dairy industry. Based on present and historic data analyses, future herd performance trends and economic feasibility can be anticipated. Predictive modelling is possible from automated herd data and farmers may found the models user-friendly and valuable for managing herds towards an optimal future economic scenario.

Milk replacers are formulated to mimic the nutrient value of natural milk to ensure that adequate nutrients for the health and growth of suckling calves are provided. The use of milk replacers ensures a consistent supply of nutrients where the dam’s milk is unavailable.