| Day 1 – 03 July 2024 |
| Time |
Plenary |
| 07:45 |
Registration |
| 08:45 |
Welcome/Housekeeping – Chairman SASAS EC/Convenor |
| 09:00 |
Opening Address – Prof van Ryssen SASAS Hon Pres (Plenary Chairperson: Mr S Goni) |
| 09:30 |
South Africa’s agriculture in times of weak global growth, geopolitical tensions, and domestic growth-constraining environment – Wandile Sihlobo |
| 10:30 |
Tea |
| 11:00 |
Strengthening decision support of livestock production systems using remote sensing technologies – Dr Theunis Morgenthal |
| 11:45 |
Strategies for Sustainable Animal Food Production: Examining Adaptation and Reproduction Dynamics – Prof Eddie Webb |
| 12:30 |
Lunch |
| 13:30 |
Nutritional and management strategies to mitigate the impacts of heat stress in cattle – Prof Lourens Erasmus |
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Genetics (Chairperson: Prof N Maiwashi) |
Nutrition: monogastric (Chairperson:Dr D Nkosi) |
Physiology (Chairperson: Dr T Rust) |
| 14:15 |
Evaluation of the genetic composition and inbreeding of Nguni cattle within the Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) scheme in certain regions of KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo province: preliminary genetic mapping – Joseph Muthivhi |
Production performance of broiler chickens fed mash and pelleted pearl millet-based diets – Sesilia Shihepo |
Inclusion of flaxseed oil and ascorbic acid on South African indigenous sheep (rams) diet improves cryopreserved sperm quality and fertility – Jabulani Nkululeko Ngcobo |
| 14:30 |
The genetic components of growth patterns in ostriches evaluated by random regression models – Cornelius Nel |
Effects of mopane (colophospermum mopane) leaf meal supplementation on rabbit growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality –Chikwanda Denice Chikwanda |
Environmental and management factors influencing corpus luteum quality and subsequent conception rate in beef and dairy cows in South Africa – Kaylee Demont |
| 14:45 |
The mitogenome assembly and annotation of the South African Kolbroek pig breed – Sinebongo Mdyogolo |
Maize replacement with raw or heat-treated cassava tuber meal in Jumbo quail diets: Performance, egg quality, physiological and welfare indicators – Athenkosi Gazi |
Sperm motility and velocity traits predict egg fertility in naturally mated ostriches – Nelleke Lotz |
| 15:00 |
Tea |
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Industry/production (Chairperson: Dr T Chokoe) |
Nutrition: monogastric (Chairperson: Dr T Dugmore) |
Nutrition: ruminant (Chairperson: Prof R Meeske) |
| 15:30 |
A national survey on the incidence of ovine footrot in South African sheep flocks – Helet Lambrechts |
The effect of threonine inclusion level in a diet on growth performance and gut organ measurements of indigenous Boschveld chickens – Modipadi Kawa |
Identification of tannin-resistant bacteria from game and domestic ruminants grazing on tannin-abundant pastures – Fabian Nde Fon |
| 15:45 |
Influence of Organic Loading Rate, Temperature (Mesophilic or Thermophilic), and Stirring Speed on Biogas Production – Ephodia Sihlangu |
Olive pomace spent mushroom substrate in Jumbo quail diets: Performance and physiological traits – Kabelo Patrick Mathabela |
Seasonal Monitoring of Forage Carbon:Nitrogen:Acid Detergent Fiber Ratio in Natural Rangeland Using Remote Sensing Data – Monde Rapiya |
| 16:00 |
The effects of cage tier on production performance and egg quality of four breeds of egg-type chickens – Hakeem Awojobi |
The utility of corticated marama bean (Tylosema esculentum) meal as a nutrient source for Jumbo quail. – Mveleli Marareni |
Water-use efficiency indicators for pre-slaughter carcass characteristics of South African beef cattle under an intensive production system – Ayanda Ngxumeshe |
| 16:15 |
The effect of climate change on the distribution of heartwater in South Africa – Michiel Scholtz |
Dietary red grape pomace and Aloe vera gel as nutraceuticals to ameliorate stocking density-induced stress in broiler chickens – Chidozie Freedom Egbu |
Effects of dietary beta carotene supplementation on feedlot finishing performance and beef quality characteristics of Bonsmara composite-type bulls – Bukhosi Mpala |
| 17:00 |
Cocktail/Student Quiz – Quizmater: Mr Paul Bevan |
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| Day 2 – 04 July 2024 |
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| Time |
Topic |
|
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| 08:00 |
Registration |
|
|
| 08:30 |
Integrating large-scale phenotyping and quantitative genomics to improve livestock welfare and resilience – Prof Luiz Brito (Plenary Chairperson: Prof E Van Marle-Köster) |
| 09:15 |
Livestock disease trends within South Africa from a veterinarian’s perspective – Dr Brett Catherine |
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Breeding (Chairperson: Prof G Scholtz) |
Industry/production (Chairperson: Dr I Jaja) |
Physiology (Chairperson: Dr T Stempa) |
| 09:45 |
Evaluation of conformation and performance of progeny from Dohne Merino sires with AA and A final classification symbols – Willem Olivier |
On-farm evaluation of pre-weaning growth performance and cow efficiency of smallholder beef cattle in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District – Nkosinathi Bareki |
The influence of periparturient nutrition of ewes on colostrum production and milk composition – Helet Lambrechts |
| 10:00 |
Heterosis and effect of stillbirth incidences on sow productivity among Landrace and Large White crosses – Puleng Kgabo Mashamaite |
Which month matters most? Exploring the relationship between monthly weather conditions and sheep production performance – Pieter Gert Theron |
Preliminary results on temperament as a measure of acclimatization of sheep housed at different stocking densities – Elzette van Schalkwyk |
| 10:15 |
Genetic parameters for mass and flue quality of white plumes from juvenile ostriches – Anel Engelbrecht |
The effect of changes in the component traits of efficiency in beef cows on the farm-gate carbon footprint – Nelly Chabalala (Breeding) |
Exploring Breed Variability in Gut Microbiota Composition: A Comparative Study of Rural and Commercial Horses in Southern Africa – Bongekile Tabu |
| 10:30 |
Tea |
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Genetics (Chairperson: Prof S Cloete) |
Industry/production (Chairperson: Prof N Nyangiwe) |
Nutrition: ruminant (Chairperson: Mr J Hoon) |
| 11:00 |
Nguni sheep (Zulu ecotype) de-novo genome assembly and annotation using Oxford nanopore long reads and Illumina short reads. – Nkosinathi Nxumalo |
Glycolytic metabolites and shelf-life properties of chevon from non-descript goats slaughtered using indigenous methods – Cedrick Mashebane Seloane |
Chemical constituents and in-vitro dry matter digestibility of fodder radish mixed with different proportions of African lovegrass – Lwando Mbambalala |
| 11:15 |
Molecular detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae in selected chicken breeds in South Africa – Peter Ayodeji Idowu |
Changes in lamb behaviour during and shortly after tail docking – Schalk Cloete |
Yield and nutritive value of forage species as affected by different levels of rainfall interception in the semi-arid grassland – Thabo Patrick Magandana |
| 11:30 |
Beta lactoglobulin gene sequence variations in South African Holstein Friesian cows and their association with milk production traits – Thlarihani Cynthia Makamu |
Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered dairy cattle at three commercial abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa – Ishmael Jaja |
The effect of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation product on production parameters, rumen environment, and fibre degradation of Jersey cows grazing ryegrass-dominant pasture. – Robin Meeske |
| 11:45 |
Utilisation of Genome-Wide SNP Data Revealed Genetic Diversity in South African Indigenous Goat Population. – Tlou Caswell Chokoe |
Anthelmintic efficacy of A. anthelmintica and C. rotundifolia extracts against gastrointestinal nematodes of goats – Sithembile Ndlela |
Holistic Insights into Nutrition, Behavior, Rumen Fermentation, and Performance in Nguni and Bonsmara Cattle across Traditional and Commercial Grazing – Mhlangabezi Slayi |
| 12:00 |
Using genomics approach to unravel candidate genes associated with heartwater disease resistance in South African indigenous goats – Xolile Nuse |
Growth and adaptive performance of indigenous and exotic beef cattle bulls raised extensively under different Namibian conditions – Charity Makaleng |
Quantifying the Impact of Different Rumen Modulating Strategies on Enteric Methane Emission and Productivity in Ruminant Livestock: A Meta-Analysis – Bulelani Nangamso Pepeta |
| 12:15 |
Behavioural aspects of aggression in the American Pit Bull Terrier dog breed in South Africa – Linky Makgahlela |
Winter slaughter auction rush in two villages of Jozini Local Municipality, Kwa-Zulu Natal – Morake Daniel Motiang |
Increasing pasture intake by allocating additional plantain pasture to cows before morning milking – Muller Cronje |
| 12:30 |
Lunch |
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| 13:30 |
Scientific and technical inputs required to run a successful dairy operation – Nigel Lok |
| 14:15 |
The dynamics of communal wool farming in the Eastern Cape Province – Khanyiso Mzayifani \ Bernard Makhabane |
| 14:40 |
The experiences of a developing dairy farmer in a challenging production environment – Tsilidzi Matshidzula |
| 15:00 |
Tea |
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Breeding (Chairperson: Prof C Visser) |
Nutrition: monogastric (Chairperson: Dr TG Manyelo) |
Physiology (Chairperson: Dr H Lambrechts) |
| 15:30 |
Morphometric Characterization and Structural Indices of Nguni Goats in Four Agro-Ecological Zones of Limpopo province, South Africa – Madumetja Cyril Mathapo |
Effect of Vitamin C on growth performance of Ross 308 broilers under semi-controlled environment during winter – Avhafunani Justice Netshipale |
The impact of environmental robustness on indigenous ram-lambs’ physiological age and secondary sex characteristics – Rimbilana Shingange |
| 15:45 |
Population structure, genetic variability and inbreeding depression in birth weight and twinning rate of kalahari red goats – Katlego Precious Nkgapele |
Effects of enzymes inclusion in diets on internal organs, bone development and welfare in broiler chickens fed Kalahari melon oil cake (Citrullus lanatus) -Ramokone Millicent Mokonyama |
Effects of time of day, age, and access to shade provision on body temperature of ostrich chicks – Molatelo Kekana |
| 16:00 |
Are there genetic trade-offs between product output and quality in ostriches? – Schalk Cloete |
Effect of seaweed-derived polysaccharides and extracts on broiler immunity development and growth performance_ A review – Johan Paul Verwey |
Tree shade alleviates heat stress in adult Dormer and SA Mutton Merino ewes and their neonatal lambs – Kudakwashe Mafunga |
| 16:15 |
The effect of THI on conception in the Tygerhoek Merino resource flock – Samuel Meijboom |
Performance, gut mucosa traits and meat quality of broilers fed enzyme-treated sorghum-based diets – Rutendo Paidamoyo Magaya |
Anthropometric Measurements and their Relationship to Performance in Show Jumping of the Warmblood Horse – Ashlyn Southern |
| 16:30 |
AGM |
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| 19:00 |
Gala Dinner – MC Dr Trevor Dugmore |
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| Day 3 – 05 July 2024 |
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| Time |
Topic |
|
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| 08:00 |
Registration |
|
|
| 08:15 |
Scientific evaluations of animal welfare: Implications for welfare assessment and trade in the EU and UK – Prof Cathy Dwyer (Plenary Chairperson: Prof L Makgahlela) |
| 09:00 |
Student debate – Animal Welfare … Sponsor: Plaas Media (Chairperson: Ms A du Preez) |
| 09:30 |
Panel discussion – The role of animal science to understand, advocate and uphold animal welfare – Moderator: Prof G Bath |
| 10:30 |
Tea |
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Genetics (Chairperson: Dr W Olivier) |
Industry/production (Chairperson: Ms H Els) |
Nutrition: ruminant (Chairperson: Dr F Fon) |
| 11:00 |
Polymorphism of Prolactin (PRL) and Kappa Casein (CSN3) Genes and their Association with Milk Yield in Saanen Dairy Goats at Neudamm Farm and Cheetah Conservation Fund – Theopoline Itenge |
Projected impacts of climate change-induced heat stress on milk production in semi-arid environments: A case study of Botswana – Jonas Kwedibana |
Dietary oyster mushroom spent substrate enhanced bone and meat quality, while limitedly compromised growth performance – Mercy Ogwuegbu |
| 11:15 |
Signatures of selection reveal copy-number variations responsible for the coat colours and patterns in indigenous South African goats. – Sithembisile Gcabashe |
Developing a Dairy index for the Environment, Economics, and Nutrition (DiEET), A South African example – Enrike Maree |
Free-choice voluntary dry matter intake of cattle fed diets containing Phragmites australis hay, Typha capensis hay or oat hay – Stephen Slippers |
| 11:30 |
Parameter estimates for egg production and egg weight of individually penned female ostriches maintained for artificial insemination purposes – Pfunzo Muvhali |
Analysis of feeding behaviours of the F2 Nguni X Angus cattle finished using the GrowSafe system – Bekezela Dube |
Supplementation of a basal goat diet with incremental levels of canola essential oil: Effect on chemical composition and in vitro ruminal fermentation – Adeola Patience Idowu |
| 11:45 |
Identifying genes associated with adaptive mechanisms for cattle surviving in harsh smallholding systems of South Africa – Mamidi Ramoroka |
Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevalence of sheep scab among communal sheep farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa – Bukeka Mtenjwa |
Feeding behaviour of young growing beef bulls differing in breed composition – Georgette Pyoos |
| 12:00 |
The effect of estimated breeding value on lifetime milk yield and milk yield efficiency of Jersey cows – Carel Muller |
Knowledge, attitude, and practice of dairy workers about toxoplasmosis in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa – Makaziwe Edith Chabula |
Mitigation of enteric methane emissions from beef cattle through dietary inclusion of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal – Sanele Jiyana |
| 12:15 |
Closure – Dr Trevor Dugmore President SASAS |
| 12:30 |
Lunch |
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| 13:30 |
Depart |
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