RMRD SA Current Research Projects

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1 To identify improved lucern cultivars; to improve lucern establishment; to improve Dr JM van Lucern for mutton production CSS lucerne stand life and productivity. Heerden To prepare a national map of the net annual above ground production (kg Dry Matter per ha per annum) of rangelands derived from the MODIS Leaf area. To prepare a new Modeling veld production using MODIS LAI Dr A R Palmer CSS carrying capacity map (LSU per ha) for AGIS based on testable production modelling algorithms. Focus area 1 UCT Does short duration grazing work in grasslands? To test the alleged mechanisms by which short duration grazing (SDG) "works" explicitly by looking at the underlying mechanisms at the fine scale and overall effects at the camp/farm scale and how these vary and interact with rainfall, temperature, time and specific camp. To apply this understanding to inform efforts being undertaken by government and NGOs to generate sustainable and more commercial red meat production from communal rangelands and land redistribution farms in one of SA's biodiversity "hotspots". Dr H Hawkins CSS Focus area 2 Focus area 2 Innovative management for improved productivity: beef Marker detection in beef cattle Phase II Essential oil supplementation of feedlot cattle Pig leanness IGF2 gene status in South Africa Fundamental aspects of rumen microbial synthesis To develop beef cattle herd management models to ensure sustainability and to improve the efficiency of beef cattle production by encompassing a vast number of factors including biological, environmental, input and market elements. To detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for tolerance to ticks in beef cattle. To detect QTLs for growth and efficiency in beef cattle. To detect QTLs for carcass traits in beef cattle. To evaluate the effect of buffers and essential oils on the growth performance of feedlot cattle. To evaluate the effect of buffers and essential oils on the incidence of health and digestive disorders in cattle under commercial feedlot conditions. Ms SM Grobler CSS Dr A Maiwashe CSS Prof L J Erasmus CSS To determine the IGF-2 gene status of 500 breeding boars in stud/seed. To determine the IGF-2 gene status of 500 breeding boars in stud/seed stock herds in South Africa. To determine the correlation between MH and IGF2 gene status. To offer the test as a service to the South African pig industry.to determine the effects of the IGF2 gene on lean meat content, back fat thickness, fatty acid profile and meat quality of typical South African pigs. Ms P. Soma Pork To investigate intake, rumen function and microbial protein production when various types and levels of nutrient are supplemented to ruminants kept at maintenance when fed a poor quality roughage. Prof WA van Niekerk CSS

2 Focus area 2 Focus area 2 Focus area 3 Optimal mature weight in beef cattle Genomics for the SA Beef Industry Crossbreeding Afrikaner, Bosmara & Nguni cows Genomic markers in beef tenderness Landscape genomics in South Africa UKZN OVI OVI Epitope mapping of two heartwater proteins sheep, cattle Test heartwater attenuated Welgevonden stock vaccine in cattle Dept Genetics Vaccine trials of tick antigens Blackfly outbreak predictive model Efficacy of probiotic bacteria in commercial & indigenous pigs To accurately assess and apply know parameters describing regional clustering of beef production; establish the relationship of mature cow weight with production efficiency between and within biomes; to make recommendations in terms of breeding objectives based on optimal mature weight and other recorded reproduction and production and production traits. To establish a reference population for the SA beef cattle industry; to apply genomic data in estimation of GEBV; to apply genomic data in identifying QTL. To evaluate crossbreeding systems and quantify the phenotypic progress made in economically important traits in crossbred cattle for beef production; to characterize the additive and no-additive genetic effects for production and health traits in progeny of terminal sires and dam line breeding cows. To determine the expression of genomic markers in five South African purebred genotypes for genes associated with beef tenderness; to determine the relationship between the actual physiological tenderness characteristics under SA production and slaughter conditions of the meat from these five main SA genotypes and the known DNA marker information; to access the phenotypic variation in meat tenderness within SA selected pure beef genotypes under the same environmental conditions and to build a Prof E Webb CSS Prof E Van Marle- Köster CSS Prof MM Scholtz CSS Dr L Frylinck CSS tenderness prediction model. To estimate linkage disequilibrium within SA beef cattle; to perform a genome wide scan for signatures of selection in bee cattle; to sequence genomic regions targeted by Ms SO Qwabe CSS selection in order to identify possible polymorphism To identify T cell epitopes from two Ehrlichia rumination proteins of for use as vaccine components of a multi epitope vaccine for heart water. Ms I Sebatjane CSS To formulate an effective attenuated heart water vaccine for cattle which is easy to administer. Dr HC Steyn CSS To evaluate promising membrane-associated antigens for their protective abilities in Friesian cattle challenged with Rhipicephalus micro plus ticks; to evaluate the protective response of cattle against R.microplus by analysis of immune response type (T cell, B Dr C Maritz-Olivier CSS cell, cytokines). To test and refine the recently developed pilot probabilistic blackfly outbreak model by inclusion of temperature and turbidity data, and using previous flows and monitoring data. To undertake climate change scenario to assist future management planning. To Dr N Rivers-Moore CSS provide an evaluation framework for monitoring data of blackfly larval densities, based on the outbreak model. To investigate the effects of the probiotic on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio; to compare the effects of probiotic on incidence of scouring; to investigate the effects of the probiotics on haematological parameters and antibody Mr S Langa Pork stimulation on the weaned piglets.

3 To measure the instrumental/physical quality (shear force tenderness, water holding capacity/cooking loss, fat and muscle colour, collagen properties, oxidative status Lamb & mutton quality audit (rancidity)), sensory qualities and chemical composition of lamb and mutton rib or loin chops (M. longissimus dorsi) from various retail outlets (including brand names and Dr M Hope-Jones CSS generic products); to determine the reasons for variation in quality by chemical, histological, physical and biochemical tests; to use information to improve meat quality Focus Area 4 Focus Area 4 Focus Area 4 Focus Area 4 UFH Livestock & Pasture Animal behaviour, stress biomarkers & meat quality Slaughter conditions and chevon quality Chilling & electrical stimualtion of beef carcasses Genetic study on Wet carcass syndrome Heterosis - Beef sensory and leather quality traits Brine injection of beef On-the-hook ageing of beef To determine the effects of pre-slaughter stress and inborn characteristics on heat shock proteins and beef quality; to characterise the activity of enzymes and hormones as indicators of animal welfare in slaughter cattle; to determine the effects of avoidance behaviour on the occurrence of bruises and stress biomarkers in beef cattle slaughtered. To determine the optimum slaughter procedures (electrical stimulation for 15 seconds or 60 seconds of delayed chilling - time determined by optimal ph) for carcasses from castrated and intact male goats of two bredde types: Boer goats & Indigenous veld goats; to evaluate sensory attributes and other meat quality characteristics of chevon from the three respective treatments of the two breed types. To compare chilling and electrical stimulation of selected cattle breeds of different carcass weights and to evaluate the effects of different chilling regimes and different stimulation procedures on carcass and meat quality; to make recommendations to the meat industry on acceptable ways of chilling carcasses in order to obtain the best quality carcasses and meat. To map quantitative trait loci affecting the wet carcass syndrome; to identify specific loci affecting predisposition to wet carcass syndrome; to develop a diagnostic test for genetic predisposition to wet carcass syndrome. To characterize the maternal and paternal heterosis effects on sensory beef traits; to characterize the maternal and paternal heterosis effect on leather traits; to develop models for the prediction of sensory beef and leather attributes to systematic crossbreeding. To determine the effect of injection of non-nitrite moisture enhancing injection brines on the nutritional value of beef; to determine the effect of non-nitrite moisture enhancing injection brines on the chemical and microbial stability of beef under refrigerated and frozen storage; to determine the effect of injection of non-nitrite moisture enhancing injection brines on the textural and sensory properties of beef. To investigate the effect of breed type, muscle and ageing procedure (On-the-hook ageing, Dry-bag ageing and Vacuum packaged ageing) on various sensory attributes. Prof V Muchenje CSS Dr L Frylinck CSS Prof E Webb CSS Prof M MacNeil CSS Prof MM Scholtz CSS Dr P Strydom CSS Dr P Heinze CSS

4 Focus Area 5 Amino acid composition of South African beef Nutrient composition of South African lamb and mutton offal Retention and yield factors for meat To determine the amino acid profile of SA beef; to determine the validity of using nitrogen and a specific Jones factor to define protein quantity; to determine the protein quality of SA beef in the context of human nutrition. Prof HC Schönfeldt CSS To determine the nutritional composition of SA lamb and mutton offal products (raw & cooked); to determine yield, retention and physical composition of the different cooked offal products to ultimately determine the edible portion of each product; to incorporate Dr N Hall the nutritional composition data and physical composition data into the nation food CSS composition tables as well as the food quantities manual of the Medical Research Council To determine proximate and mineral content of raw and cooked retail cuts of lamb and beef; to calculate yield factors for retail cuts of lamb and beef; to calculate true retention factors for protein, fat and minerals in lamb and beef retail cuts. Dr B Pretorius CSS Focus Area 6 Nat & Agric Nat & Agric South African Agri Benchmark beef and sheep network Economic study groups in the RSA - Sheep, goats, cattle. To establish a local South African information system network (Agri-benchmark) for all beef and sheep stakeholders, which will add significant value for the local industry in terms of local comparisons, but also in terms of international benchmarking against market trends. Such a network will create a platform for improved understanding of these sectors (Beef/cow calf, mutton/sheep and wool). To ensure and support strategic management and marketing in the livestock industries Red Meat, Wool, Mohair. To act pro-actively on changes in the market trends. To nurture better relationships amongst role players - Red Meat, Wool, Mohair. Mr HN van Niekerk CSS Dr AC Geyer CSS

5 Focus Area 6 Focus Area 6 Focus Area 6 BFAP Investigate the high income South African consumer's perception towards beef & sheep meat /BFAP Package information on fresh red meat US Agric Econ Formal & Informal Red Meat industry in the Western Cape /BFAP Improved red meat marketing in SA Agric Econ Red Meat price transmission analysis To determine the current meat purchasing and consumption behaviour of the high LSM consumer. To determine the behavioural motivations and perceptions towards red meat Prof HC Schönfeldt (in high LSM consumers. To determine the current and most trusted information sources & Prof J Kirsten on red meat for the high LSM consumer. To conduct an in-store survey (observation) with specific focus on red meat products presentation, packaging and labelling claims at major national retailers, chain and independent butcheries and independent deli shops on selected geographic location across SA to serve as a sub sample indicative of what is presented to consumers in SA. To determine and report the size and scope of the formal red meat industry as well as the formal industry's effects on food safety, animal health and welfare and food security with a primary focus on the Western Cape province; to determine and report the size and scope of the informal formal red meat industry; to determine the relevance of the present regulatory environment to the formal and informal red meat industry with a particular emphasis on food safety, animal welfare and food security. CSS Mrs H Vermeulen CSS Prof N Vink CSS To identify and characterize consumer market segments among low- middle and high LSM consumers in SA based on consumers red meat perceptions and behaviour; to develop scientifically based recommendations for the promotion of red meat in SA through appropriate marketing messages delivered through suitable communication channels to maintain and/or approve consumer' perception and acceptance of red meat; to engage in GAP analysis in order to identify the discrepancies between the actual current characteristics and ideal characteristics Mrs H Vermeulen CSS To determine the existence of long-term relationship among the price variables; to determine the direction of flow of price information between producers and retailers; to Mr F Mare determine the time lag between the change in producer's carcass price and the retailers CSS change in prices.

6 Focus Area 7 Area 9 Focus Area 9 Focus Area 8 Dairy ranching for beef and milk NMMU Vet Animal, & Grassland s Reducing enteric methane emissions from sheep and beef cattle Heartwater and associated factors in South Africa Weather patterns and the growth of beef cattle Impact of predation on beef cattle Scientific assessment: Stock predation/funded by DAFF To generate results from Research and Development on dairy ranching that can be used by existing and new emerging cattle farmers. The results will include sound management decisions regarding supplement feeding, cow condition for preconception, sustainable milk production, optimal milk production, the economics of the different systems and breeds and other important factors regarding economical small scale dairy production or ranching. To benchmark the system of dairy ranching for the resource poor sector in comparison with small scale dairy production and an ordinary beef cattle suckle (weaner calf) system will supply valuable information on income and monthly cash flow for new entrants into beef cattle farming. To develop the project as a training hub for emerging farmers. To determine the methane production from a range of South African grass species. To investigate the extent to which specific pasture components affect enteric methane emissions. To identify nutritional supplements that will reduce methane production from tropical grasses. To establish whether or not there has been a change in distribution and incidence of heart water in South Africa; To characterize weather patterns in years having extreme effects on precipitation, temperature, temperature-humidity index and growing season in a particular year and during the preceding spring and autumn; to identify critical weather periods/conditions that affect weight gain from birth to weaning and from weaning to 18 months of age. To conduct a structured survey by telephone among about 1500 beef cattle farmers in all 9 provinces to determine the biological and financial impact of predation on the beef cattle industry in SA; to inform authorities and producer organisations on the extent of predation; to create a basis for focused and coordinated predation management and research programme to reduce the negative impact of predation. To undertake a Scientific Assessment, which will inform initiatives involving the conducting of appropriate and strategically determined research, and which takes into account the problems and needs of the stock industry, and environmental (ecological) requirements, and also the outcomes of acceptable research conducted to date, with a view to providing sound, scientifically-based directions (guidelines) to (a) the industry, and to (b) the policymakers, with the overall aim of mitigating the problems caused by predation on stock, especially by jackal and caracal. Ms SM Grobler CSS Prof W v Niekerk CSS Dr T Brink Prof MM Scholtz CSS Prof HO de Waal CSS Prof G Kerley CSS

7 Focus Area 9 Focus A UCT Impact of predation on wildlife/funded by DAFF Guard animals for Predator control/funded by DAFF Karoo Predator Project/Funded by DAFF To conduct a structured survey (electronic questionnaire by , followed by a telephone interview backup) among wildlife ranchers in nine (9) provinces to determine the biological and financial impact of predation on the wildlife ranching industry in South Africa; to inform the authorities and producer organisations on the extent and impact of predation on the wildlife ranching industry; to create the basis for an integrated and coordinated research programme to mitigate the negative impact of predation on the livestock and wildlife industries. To establish factors leading to success or failure using (1) dogs, (2) donkeys, (3) alpacas as guard animals to limit loses from livestock predation. Liaison with landowners; to collect and analyse a further wave of farm management data; to work towards integrating the farm management data with ecological findings. Prof HO de Waal CSS Prof Bath CSS Dr B Conradie CSS NMMU Jackal ecology on reserves and farms/funded by DAFF To determine dispersal direction between subpopulations; to compare demographic structures between subpopulations; to compare resource use between subpopulations. Prof G Kerley CSS 10 Agric Econ Financial implications of methods used to control livestock theft To determine the methods farmers are currently using to control stock theft in different areas of the Free State, Eastern Cape and Kwazulu Natal; to evaluate the success of the methods used to control stock theft; to quantify the financial implications of methods used to control stock theft. Mr WA Lombard CSS