ISSUE/UITGAWE XX MONTH/MAAND 20XX

INHOUDSOPGAWE l CONTENTS

SCIENCESAGRI N E W S L E T T E R • N U U S B R I E F 9 2 O K T / O C T 2 0 1 8

Wetenskappe sciences

KalenderCalendar1

Novel anti-poaching system bags country-

wide ChallengeRead on...2

34

56

Karaan appointed to advise on land reformRead on...

Click on links / Klik op skakels

Die impak van navorsing, onderrig en leer nou oor ’n eeu

Lees verder...

PIC present a pig insemination course at SURead on...

7http://www.sun.ac.za/agric

US spog met eerste aanlyn-loopbaanportaal

vir landbou in SALees verder...

A busy year for

Prof OparaRead on...

Back to ‘roots’ encounters with

indegenous vegetablesRead on...

Setati and Esler excell at WISA Awards Ceremony

Read on...

Smart farming allows efficient production

of livestockRead on...

Animal scientists’ effort help sugar

indistriesRead on...

Students and staff ’s notable participation in AEASA’s 56th annual conference

Read on...

Well done, Darren

Read on...

Two Matie food scientists doing extremely well globallyRead on...

Huysamer bags Young Minds Award at inter-national conference

Read on...

Nuwe studente-leiers vir 2019

verkiesLees verder...

Hortologie: SA se eeu-oue vennoot in ’n groener en

vrugtevolle toekomsLees verder...

Kompetisie-wenners / Competition winners

Fakulteit AgriWetenskappe

vereerLees verder...

International honour for

Gunnar SiggeRead on...

Black wildebeest sperm stay alive up to 96h after culling

Read on...

Mycotoxins’ impact on livestock and consumer health

Read on...

What does the swimming pattern of a sperm tell us?

Read on...

Retha represents SU at ICoMST congress

Down UnderRead on...

ISSUE/UITGAWE XX MONTH/MAAND 20XX

10 September 2018 3 Oktober 2018

AgriWetenskappe Agrisciences

Hier is die wenners van ons landskapkunskompetisie!

6 Julie 2018 15 Augustus 2018

Die wenners van die landskapkuns-kompetisie: Links is Alta Groenewald van Grabouw en op die foto regs oorhandig die Dekaan van die Fakulteit AgriWetenskappe, prof Danie Brink die wennersprys aan Andries van Rooyen van die Paarl.

Die wenners van die Fakulteit Agri Weten­skappe se landskapkunskompetisie is pas

aangewys. Albei het van die kompetisie in Die Burger te wete gekom.

Alta GroenewaldAlta Groenewald van Grabouw het die wenfoto van die installasiekunsprojek getiteld “Die Aarde” geneem. Groenewald wen ’n R1000­geskenkbewys van die Welgevallen US Kelder.

Andries van RooyenAndries van Rooyen van die Paarl wen ’n ge­skenkbewys ter waarde van R1000 van die Matiewinkel. Van Rooyen, wat baie be langstel in die kunstenaar se werk, het die kompe­tisievraag korrek beantwoord.

Die antwoord was “vuur.” Dit is een van die vier natuurelemente wat deur die kwar te van die sirkels in die kunswerk gesimboliseer word.

Strijdom van der Merwe, ’n bekroonde landskapkunstenaar, het in opdrag van die US die landkunswerk geskep. Dit is deel van die Fakulteit se Eeufeesvierings vanjaar. Die installasiekunsprojek bestaan uit twee reusesirkels van koring en canola, elk met

’n deursnee van 100 meter. Die sirkels is geplant tussen koringlande

op die plaas Boontjieskraal in die Over­berg (langs die N2, in die rigting van Riviersonderend uit Kaapstad). Die sirkels is sigbaar van die N2 snelweg af.

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AGRIWETENSKAPPE

terug na inhoudsopgawe / back to contents 1

SCIENCES

Die Fakulteit AgriWetenskappe het pas die eerste loopbaanportaal bekend gestel wat

alleenlik op die landbou­ en voedselsektore fokus.Dié interaktiewe portaal is die eerste in sy

soort in Suid­Afrika en is die geesteskind van prof Danie Brink, Dekaan van die Fakulteit.

Die webportaal sal na verwagting help met studente se loopbaanontwikkeling deur nuwe geleenthede te ontsluit, het Brink onlangs by die bekendstelling gesê. Finalejaar en nagraadse studente asook rolspelers uit die bedryf het dié geleentheid op kampus bygewoon.

Brink het gesê: “Ons glo hierdie webportaal sal help om nuwe geleenthede vir ons studente te ontsluit en ook tot voordeel wees van die land­bousektor. Ons wil sien dat ons gegradueerdes die mark suksesvol betree.”

Die Fakulteit het die finansiering vir die ont­wikkeling van die portaal verskaf. Die diens sal later na ander tersiêre opleiding instellings in Suid­Afrika, en ook moontlik na internasionale en privaat universiteite uitgebrei word.

Brink meen die privaatsektor is gereed om in hierdie inisiatief te belê, aangesien hulle uit­dagings ondervind om behoorlik gekwalifiseerde gegradueerdes met toepaslike vaardighede te werf.

Brink sê verder: “Die landbousektor se be­hoeftes, asook die onderrigbehoeftes van studente, het die afgelope dekades wesenlik verander. Min der as 20% van die Fakulteit se studente is deesdae afkomstig uit ’n landbou­agtergrond. Ons glo daar om dat hierdie portaal sal help om brûe te bou tussen ons studente en rolspelers in die sektor.”

Rico Basson, besturende direkteur van Vinpro, het bygevoeg: “Die landbousektor en verwante bedrywe is kompleks. Ons benodig ’n nuwe geslag multidissiplinêre kundiges wat passievol oor land­bou is.”

Die portaal bied ’n nuttige instrument waar­mee die landbousektor nader kan beweeg aan studente. Só het Monika Basson, die Fakulteit se koördineerder van voorgraadse werwing en bemarking, verduidelik. Sy het vervolg: “Studente

sal as werksoekers daarop kan registreer en maatskappye word op hulle beurt toegang gebied tot kandidate deur poste, internskappe (lang­ of korttermyn) en te kan beursgeleenthede daarop ad verteer. Die portaal verskaf ook onder meer inligting oor loop baangeleenthede en kursusse, asook riglyne vir werksgereedheid.”

Marianne van der Laarse, besturende direkteur van Agrijob, meen die loopbaanportaal voldoen aan ’n groot bedryfsbehoefte.

Sy het dit so gestel: “Die huidige tendens dat jongmense huiwerig is om in landbouwetenskappe te studeer, is wyd bekend en die bedryf is met reg bekommerd daaroor. Maatskappye en orga­nisasies in die landbou­ en agri­voedselbedryf be­vestig gereeld dat hulle ’n tekort ervaar aan gegra­dueerdes in landbouwetenskappe met toepaslike vaardighede.

“Uit ’n werwingsperspektief word hierdie per­sepsie van die bedryf egter weerspreek deur die taamlik groot aantal landbougegradueerdes wat sukkel om werk of internskappe te vind. Ons is derhalwe baie opgewonde oor hierdie inter­aktiewe, omvattende platform wat landbou­ver­wante werksgeleenthede gaan help ontsluit. Die privaatsektor, bedryfsorganisasies en regerings in­

stellings is strategiese vennote om die sukses van die projek te help verseker.”

Van der Laarse meen die platform stel studente ook in staat om self pro­aktief op te tree wat hulle eie loopbaanontwikkeling betref.

• Besoek www.agrijob.co.za vir meer inligting. Kontak Marianne van der Laarse per e­pos by marianne@agrijob.co.za of skakel 082 3881000.

Die Afdeling Korporatiewe Kommunikasie het twee Insti­tusionele Toekennings vir Uitnemendheid aan die Fakulteit

AgriWetenskappe vir 2018 oorhandig. Prof Pieter Gouws (regs), Visedekaan belas met Leer en Onderrig in die Fakulteit en verbonde aan die Departement Voedselwetenskappe, is as “Denkleier” vereer. Die Fakulteit se landskap­kunsprojek is eweneens as “Nuusmaker” vereer. “Die Aarde,” wat deur Strijdom van der Merwe, ’n bekroonde landskapkunstenaar, in opdrag van die Fakulteit geskep is, is vanjaar deel van die Fakulteit se Eeufeesvierings. Die kunsprojek bestaan uit twee reusesirkels van koring en canola, elk met ’n deursnee van 100 meter, wat van die N2 naby die plaas Boontjieskraal in die Overberg besigtig kan word. Links op die foto is die Dekaan van die Fakulteit, prof Danie Brink, met die sertifikaat. (Lees meer hieroor op die vorige bladsy.)

AgriWetenskappe word vereer

Hier op die foto verskyn (vlnr) prof Danie Brink (dekaan), Willem Bouwer (finalejaar-student), Marianne van der Laarse, Besturende Direkteur: Agrijob en Rico Basson, Uitvoerende Direkteur: Vinpro.

Karaan appointed to advise on land reformPresident Cyril Ramaphosa recently appointed Prof Mohammad Karaan, former Dean of

the Faculty of AgriSciences and an agricultural economist to serve on an advisory panel that will support the Inter­Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Land Reform chaired by Deputy President David Mabuza.

Mr Wandile Sihlobo (alumnis of SU and currently with the Agricultural Busi ­ ness Chamber) also serves on the panel. The panel will advise the IMC on a broad range of policy matters asso ciated with land reform, including resti tution, redistribution, tenure security and agricultural support.

Karaan has extensive experience in both agricultural sciences and ­economics, which he accumulated during his time in the academic and private sectors. He also

worked for the Development Bank of Southern Africa as an economist and thereafter joined the Rural Foundation as the Head of Research.

During a brief introductory meeting with the panel in Pretoria, the President and Deputy President invited the panel to provide the IMC with critical and independent inputs that will facilitate sound policy making and effective implementation.

November01 Vergadering van die Konvokasie om 19:0015 Fakulteitsgholfdag21 Eerste November-eksamengeleentheid eindig22 Tweede November-eksamengeleentheid

begin28 Laaste dag vir elektroniese inlewering

van tesisse en proefskrifte vir Desember-gradeplegtighede

Desember07 Uitslae van die eerste November-

eksamengeleentheid word bekend gemaak13 Sesde Gradeplegtigheid om 10:0021 Universiteitskantoor sluit

KALENDER 2018

US spog met eerste aanlyn­loopbaanportaal vir landbou in SA

ISSUE/UITGAWE XX MONTH/MAAND 20XX

Novel anti­poaching system bags country­wide Challenge

nuus | news

terug na inhoudsopgawe / back to contents 2

Luke Siljeur, Judith Stopforth, Chimwemwe Tembo-Phiri and Rhoda Malgas

Conservation Ecology and Entomology

Students in the Department of Con­servation Ecology and Ento mology

recently participated in an exciting in­digenous food tasting sur vey organized by MSc student Chimwemwe Tembo­Phiri. Her novel research on the soil and irrigation requirements of two edi ble Fynbos plants gene rated great interest amongst fellow students.

Chimwemwe’s MSc research is fo cused on plant development and potential consumer perception of two wild leafy greens Tetragonium

decumbens (dune spinach) and Mesem -bryanthemum crystalinum (soutslaai). These indigenous vegetables, mem­bers of the ice plant family (Aizoaceae), grow along the coastal dunes of the Western and Eastern Cape in the Fyn­bos biome.

Many wild growing vegetables are packed with micronutrients such as vitamin A and are also high in fibre. Along the Southern Cape Coastline, at least 52 species of edible plants have been identified. These vegetables grow wild, and are relatively easy to propagate. Fynbos edibles are usually more drought­ and heat­tolerant than

most exotic species, and appears to tolerate the changing climatic con­ditions better.

Students of the Conservation Eco­logy third­year class attended a food tasting event organised at the Sustain­ability Institute. The survey was aimed at exploring their acceptance of, preference for and intended consump­tion of the dune spinach and soutslaai. The vegetables were each included as ingredients in a salsa (raw) and smoor (cooked) recipe, respectively, which was prepared by co­supervisor Ms Loubie Rusch (Making “Kos”), a self­proclaimed food enthusiast with a pas­

sion for wild ingredients. Supervisors Ms Rhoda Malgas and Dr Ethel Phiri joined in the event.

Conservation Ecology students (ltr): Chris­topher Tonkin, Lesedi Moagi and Carly Vlotman participating in a taste experiment of indigenous Fynbos.

Back to ‘roots’: encounters with indigenous vegetables

SqwidNet (SIGFOX) IoT SA recently organised a University Challenge to stimulate young minds in creating innovative projects using SqwidNet/Sigfox technology. The team that came out tops was from Stellenbosch University and consisted of Calvin Hill (a final year Mechatronic Engineering student), Andre de Villiers (also a final year Mechatronic Engineering student) and Talia Smale (a 4th year Conservation Ecology student).

The Matie team developed a project that effective ly monitors endangered wildlife species using a smart collar. The smart collar is placed on the animal to provide real­time feedback on the animal’s location and physical state over the Sigfox IoT network. The transmitted information can be accessed from anywhere in the world and includes real­time tracking via live GPS location data, geo­fencing to send

an alert when the animal moves out of the designated zones and vital health monitoring (e.g. heart rate) to indicate if the animal is in distress.

The system is very efficient in the sense that it uses long­range network technology, very low power to operate and it is highly cost­effective. The Matie team won R20 000 in prize money and they have been afforded the opportunity to pitch their concept at Sigfox Connect which is

taking place in Berlin, Germany, this month.

The winning team Calvin Hill, Talia Smale and Andre de Villiers

International honour for Gunnar SiggeProf Gunnar Sigge (picture), chairperson of the Department of Food Science,

has been invited to chair two international committees.The International Union of Food Science and Technology

(IUFoST) has asked him to lead their Education Committee for a two­year term from 2018­2020. This committee is one of the Union’s Scientific Focus Committees and its focus is to manage and coordinate all education programmes and activities for IUFoST, in line with the Union’s goal of increasing global excellence and qualifications of food scientists.

Moreover, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) in the US has invited Sigge to serve on its Annual Meeting Scientific Programme Advisory Panel (AMSPAP) for another two years, and chair the panel for 2019. This after having served on the panel for the past three years as a panel member, Chair and Past­Chair. The IFT’s Annual Meeting and Expo features some 100 scientific sessions, 1 300 exhibitors and attracts in excess of 20 000 delegates.

A busy year for Prof OparaThe past months have been extremely busy ones

for Distginguished Professor Umezuruike Linus Opara (picture) of the Department of Horticultural Science. As part of the broader activities of SAR­ChI Postharvest Technology, with which Opara is involved, it is quite an eye­opener to take a look at some highlights of his year thus far:• Appointedamemberof the internationalCom­

mittee of The Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP) Awards and invited to deliver a keynote address during the 4th MUFPP Annual Gathering and Mayors’ summit in Tel Aviv from 3­5 September.

• AppointedamemberoftheRegionalSteeringCommittee(RSC)foranew continental project on Strengthening Higher Agricultural Education in Africa (SHAEA) – this is a five year regional initiative being developed by the World Bank in partnership with African governments and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM).

• Appointed a member of the Steering Group of the MauerbergerFoun dation Fund (MFF) Research Award/Prize for Transformative Technologies for Africa.

• PresentedwiththeGavelofOfficeasthenextPresidentoftheCIGR(International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, 2019­2020) during the World Congress of CIGR Antalya, organised by the CIGR from 22 to 25 April in Antalya, Turkey. Also delivered the plenary keynote.

• AsFoundingPresident,convenedthe1stInternationalConferenceofthe Pan­African Society for Agricultural Engineering in Nairobi, Kenya, 25­28 March. Recently secured funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK and partnership between the Institution of Agricultural Engineers in the UK and the South African Institution of Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE) on a project to strengthen the profession of agricultural engineering in Africa.

• ThroughhisongoingdiscussionwiththeDirectoroftheSierraLeoneAgricultural Research Institute, he has identified five PhD candidates (and secured funding by SLARI) for them to pursue their studies in the Faculty of AgriSciences at SU starting in 2019 as part of their human capacity development programme.

Black wildebeest sperm stay alive up to 96h after cullingDr Helet Lambrechts of the Department of Animal Sciences recently attended

the South African Wildlife Management Association’s congress that took place from 9­13 September 2018 at the ATKV Klein Kariba resort in Bela­Bela. The theme of the congress was “Wildlife management in context: managing small, declining and fragmented populations”. The congress was attended by 178 delegates from a variety of South African and international tertiary institutions, and relevant conservation industry partners. Wildlife managers heard how it is possible to harvest viable sperm from the testes of black wildebeest, stored at 4°C for up to 96 hours after the animal has been culled. This allows for the use of such sperm in assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF, which has implications for wildlife ge­nome resource banks. The annual Plaas Media Student Quiz also took place during the congress, with the team from NMU, No Eye Deer, bagging the first prize. Plaas Media is sincerely acknowledged for their sponsorship, making the Quiz possible.

The winning team ‘No Eye Deer’ from NMU that won the Plaas Media Student Quiz (fltr: Dr Jan Venter, Chris Brooke, Francis Martins and Cyanne Young).

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Die impak van navorsing oor die volgende 100 jaar was die onderwerp wat lede van die So­

siale Impak­komitee van die Fakulteit AgriWetens­kappe op hulle onlangse simposium be spreek het. Die simposium was een van die Fakulteit se spesiale Eeufees herdenkingsgeleenthede.

Kommer oor tekorte in onderwys en opleiding onder die jeug in die landbousektor het gestalte aan twee van die Fakulteit se inisiatiewe vir Sosiale Impak (SI) gegee.

Die konsep van ’n landbou­opleidingshub by die Mariendahl­proefplaas is gegrond op ’n verbintenis om kennisoordrag aan die jeug in die landbou, wat nie toegang tot hoofstroomopleiding ná matriek het nie, te vergemaklik. Mnr Henk Stander, geassosieer aan die Departement Veekundige Wetenskappe, het daarop gewys dat, ongeag die uitkomste van dringende grondhervormingspogings in die land, daar ’n be hoefte aan steun, opleiding en navorsing sal wees om voedselsekerheid te bewerkstellig, ekologiese infrastruktuur te be stuur, en ’n bestaan te volhou. Opge gradeerde fasiliteite op die proefplaas om wêreld gehalte­leer te verseker, word by die konsep ingesluit en sal tot voordeel van US­studente strek.

Me Marianne McKay en kollegas van die Departe­ment Wingerd­ en Wynkunde het met die Pinotage­jeugontwikkelingsakademie (PYDA) saamgewerk om ’n diens aan jongmense uit hulpbronarm­ge­meenskappe te lewer. Hierdie studente stel in die wynbedryf belang, maar het om verskeie redes nie toegang tot universiteitgraadprogramme nie. Die student­gesentreerde kurrikulum is in pas met die behoeftes van histories agtergestelde jeugdiges tussen die ouderdom van 18 en 25 jaar. Onafhanklike en interne assesserings toon ’n 90%­indiensneming van PYDA­gegradueerdes, verhoogde toegang tot die wynbedryf en hoë retensiesyfers, asook

gewaardeerde vennootskappe tussen die Akademie en die US.

Die verspreiding van die patogeniese swam Phytophthora spp. in die Kaapse Fynbos het die PhD­student, Joey Hulbert, genoop om inwoners te vra om met die insameling van monsters in die Wes­Kaap behulpsaam te wees. Drie seuns van Khayelitsha, ’n ma­en­dogter­span van Stellen­bosch, en ’n kwekerypersoneellid het saam in die laboratorium van studieleier dr Francois Roets beland om monsters by die Departement Bewaringsekologie en Entomologie te verwerk. Ge wone inwoners se monsters het buitengewone resultate opgelewer. Naamregte is aan drie by­draers toegeken vir die nuwe spesies wat gevind is. Die drie seuns van Khayelitsha sê hulle stel daarin belang om by die US aan te sluit en ’n loopbaan in bewaringsekologie aan te pak.

Mnr Norman Daniels en mev Anna Joorst, lede van die Heuningbos­kennisvennootskap op Genadendal, het bepaalde insigte as SI­vennote gedeel. Sedert 2012 trek elf nagraadse studente, onder toesig van me Rhoda Malgas by die Depar te ­ment Bewaringsekologie en Entomologie, voor deel uit die navorsingsteun, plaaslike kennis en wysheid van inwoners van Genadendal in die Over berg.

Malgas verduidelik hoe deelnemende navor sings ­metodologieë tot verhoogde plaaslike eie naar skap van bevindings lei. Samewerking met plaaslike ven­note skep ook geleenthede vir stu dente­opleiding in verskeie dissiplines. Beplande uit sette sluit in ’n ge­meenskapseminaar later van jaar, die publikasie van ’n plaaslike vaktydskrif met die resultate van studen­teprojekte sedert 2012, asook ’n werkswinkel met bewaringsagentskappe op Genadendal.

Toe hy die simposium geopen het, het Vise­Dekaan: Navorsing, Innovasie en Nagraadse Stu­dies, prof Kennedy Dzama, gewys op die belang

daarvan om die status van SI in oor eenstemming met dié van Navorsing, en Onderrig en Leer, in die Fakulteit te bring. Die swak bywoning van SI­geleenthede weerspreek gewis die werklike belangstelling en harde werk van al die personeel en studente in die Fakulteit. Tasbare blyke van erkenning aan personeel, prak tiese steun deur de­partementshoofde en groter sigbaarheid wat SI­inisiatiewe betref, kan help om SI stewiger in die Fakulteit te vestig.

Indien jy of iemand anders in jou departement by SI­inisiatiewe betrokke is, kan jy gerus jou projek op die Afdeling Sosiale Impak se webblad registreer, of met die skakelpersoon in die Fakul teit, mnr Mawethu Nyakatya, by nyakatya@sun.ac.za om na­dere besonderhede in verbinding tree.

As jy by die Komitee wil aansluit, of graag meer oor ons werk wil weet, kontak dr Evodia Setati (setati@sun.ac.za) of enige ander lede in die Fakul­teit. Die SI­komiteelede vir AgriWetenskappe in 2018 is:

• VeekundigeWetenskappe:DrAnnelinMolotsi,

•BewaringsekologieenEntomologie:DrShayneJacobs; me Rhoda Malgas,

•Bos­enHoutkunde:DrLuvuyoTyhoda,

• Wingerd­enWynkunde:MeMarianneMcKay;dr Evodia Setati.

navorsing

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Die impak van navorsing, onderrig en leer oor ’n eeu Rhoda Malgas (Sosiale Impak­komitee)

Setati and Esler excel at WISA Awards CeremonyIn a first for Stellenbosch University, three of its

eminent female scientists, including two of Agri­Sciences, made a clean sweep in the same category at the annual SA Women in Science Awards (WISA) ceremony held in Polokwane recently.

Dr Evodia Setati of the Institute for Wine Bio­technology was the winner in the category for Distinguished Woman Researchers in Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences, and Prof Karen Esler of the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology was runner­up in the same category. Prof Soraya Bardien of the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics in the Faculty of Health Sciences was placed third.

The annual WISA ceremony was part of the Department of Science and Technology’s celebration of Women’s Month. The organisers say the awards recognise and reward excellence by women scientists and researchers, and profile them as role models for younger women.

Setati, a senior researcher in the Institute for Wine Biotechnology in the Department of Viticulture and Oenology, won the award for her work on the microbial ecology of the vineyard and wine fermentation ecosystem and how this is influenced by farming practices. Her research has contributed to an improved understanding of the South African vineyard and wine fermentation

microbiome.Setati commented: “The award is a sign of

progression, it means I am finally reaping the fruits of my labour, and for my work it means more ex­posure to potential collaborators, especially from historically disadvantaged institutions. It is an im­portant recognition for the relevance and impact of my research.”

Setati, who is rated by the National Research Foundation (NRF) has published a number of peer­reviewed articles in leading international journals and also supervised several postgraduate students. She is a member of the SA Society of Microbiology and the SA Society for Enology and Viticulture. She is also a trustee of the Pioneer Foods Education and Community Trust, and a sub­editor of the SA Journal for Enology and Viticulture.

Esler was honoured for her research excellence in ecology, including ecosystem restoration and invasion biology. Also a NRF­rated researcher, she is considered a world leader in her field and has supervised numerous postgraduate students.

She commented: “I feel privileged to be counted amongst the winners. Research is rewarding and exciting and if I can continue to promote women in higher education by providing a role model to others, I’d be satisfied.”

Esler has authored or co­authored more than

160 peer­reviewed journal publications and also boasts a number of books and book chapters. She has received awards from, among others, the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa, the Water Research Commission, and the SA National Biodiversity Institute.

Esler is the African Associate Editor for the top conservation journal, Conservation Biology, and currently serves as a Review Editor for the Inter­governmental science­policy platform for Biodiver­sity and Ecosystem Service’s (IPBES) global assess­ment. She was the first woman president of the SA Association of Botanists.

Internationally recognised for her research on Parkinson’s disease, Soraya Bardien received an award for her work on the genetic causes and mechanism underlying this condition in SA patients.

Pictured here are (from the left) Prof Karen Esler, Dr Evodia Setati and Prof Soraya Bardien.

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Smart farming allows efficient production of livestock

Mycotoxins and their impact on livestock and consumer health

terug na inhoudsopgawe / back to contents 4

Mycotoxins are secon­dary toxic compounds

produced by several fungi, and can have a drastic in flu­ence on both livestock and ulti mately consumer health,

if not managed pro perly. This was the main topic of a recent talk presented by Prof Mathias Devreese of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Ghent University, and associated with the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the same university.

SU staff and third­year Animal Physiology stu dents attended his presentation, and were introduced to the larger picture of the role

of mycotoxins in animal production, co­con­ta mination that can occur, and how this can ultimately affect consumer health.

Devreese is part of the LEAP­Agri project, MycoSafe­South as well as MyTOX­South. MycoSafe­South aims to identify safe and efficient strategies to reduce aflatoxin and fumonisin exposure in Africa, with a particular focus on children. MyTOX­South is an intercontinental partnership striving to solve mycotoxin problems. Dr Lindy Rose from the Department of Plant Pathology is collaborating on the MyTOX­South partnership.

• More information on these two initiatives is available at https://mytoxsouth.org/

On 30 August 2018, the Western Cape branch of the South African Society for

Animal Science (SASAS), in conjunction with the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Stellenbosch, presented a mini­symposium about the use of “smart” technologies in livestock production at Die Stal, Coetzenburg. The theme of the mini­symposium was “Smart Farming”, and talks ranged from the use of RFID tags to the use of recording software such as the Afimilk® systems as management tools to optimize livestock production. Speakers (and topic) at the day included Schalk de Villiers (RFID presenting new solutions for the professional livestock producer), Prof. Gerhard van der Horst (The role of CASA as part of the reproduction toolbox), Dr Emiliano Raffrenato (The potential benefits and challenges of accelerometers in dairy production systems), Anzel van den Berg (Benefits and functions of the Afimilk Herd Managing System) and Lientjie Mogano (The importance of being registered as a professional Animal Scientist). The session was concluded with the 2018 AGM of the Western Cape branch of SASAS. Final­year Animal Science students of SU were presented with an opportunity

to network with industry partners. A special word of thanks to the sponsors, i.e. the Steenberg Trust, Woolworths, TICSA, Alltech, and AFMA, for making the day possible.

Prof Mathias Devreese

John French, chairperson of the Western Cape branch of SASAS and National Accounts Manager­Alltech, and Dirk van der Linde of TICSA, at the 2018 mini­symposium of the Western Cape branch of SASAS.

PIC present a pig insemination course at SUOn 27 August 2018, Marguerite Schwarzer

from PIC presented a course on artificial insemination in pigs to third­year Animal Science students. PIC is considered as an international leader in the provision of high merit pig genetics to pig producers in South Africa, as well as world­class technical support to the global pork supply chain. This is the first time this course was presented to Animal Science students at the University of Stellenbosch, and formed part of the practical program of the Advanced Animal Physiology 344 module. It is envisaged to accommodate this course on an annual basis in the curriculum. The students participated enthusiastically, and feedback on the course will be used to improve the offering in 2019. All students passed the course, and will receive a certificate from PIC that will allow them to carry out inseminations in pigs.

Picture: Marguerite Schwarzer (in the middle) and the third year Animal Science students after their completion of the exam.

What does the swimming pattern of a sperm tell us?

Prof Gerhard van der Horst (pic­

ture), a Professor Extra ordinaire in the Department of Ani­mal Sciences at SU, recently presented a lecture on the use of computer­assis­ted sperm analysis (CASA) to third­year

Animal Science students. The title of his pre­sentation was Evolution of sperm analysis through CASA and role of CASA in animal sperm.

Van der Horst enthralled the students with his expertise on the analysis of sperm motility and how it evolved from manual recordings to very sophisticated systems such as the SCA® CASA system of Microptic.

Van der Horst, a world­renowned androlo­gist, is the Africa representative for Microptic, and is actively involved in the training of labora­tory staff and students all over the world on the SCA® system.

Animal scientists’ efforts to benefit sugar industriesElsje Pieterse and Michael Woods of the Depart­

ment of Animal Sciences recently visited the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI) with a view of establishing environmentally friendly integrated pest management systems which could prove to be of mutual benefit to the sugar industries of South Africa and Mauritius.

Mauritius’ economy is largely dependent on the export of sugar to Europe, but the industry is faced with problems associated with insect pests. One such pest that the country share with Africa, is the sugar cane stalk borer (Chilo sacchariphagus). This pest currently occurs in Mozambique, but to date has not been reported in South Africa.

In order to find ways of managing this pest when it does cross our country’s borders, a pro­ject has been initiated with the MSIRI. And this is where animal scientists Pieterse and Woods, come into the picture.

They are involved in the formulation of artificial diets for the mass rearing of insects, especially where sterile insects are required. Up to now, efforts to formulate diets were unsuccessful, for the insect larvae did not accept these artificial

diets. In the ongoing project, Pieterse and Woods

have been successful in formulating two diets that are accepted by these insects, and this paves the way for environmentally friendly integrated pest management programs that can add value to the Mauritian and South African sugar industries.

Visiting the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute.

research

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The 56th annual conference of AEASA was held 25 to

27 September 2018 at the Lord Charles hotel, Somerset­West. The theme for the event was “Practicing Agricultural Economics in an uncertain neigh bour hood”. Dr Karen Brooks, Direc tor of the CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington DC, delivered the Simon Brand Memorial Address under the title Climate and Jobs for Rural Young People. In her view, millions of young people across the African continent are entering the agricultural labour force. For them, adaptation to climate change matters as much for job security as it does for food security. Climate change without agricultural adaptation puts a prominent liveli­hood strategy of these young people at risk. Opportunities to exit agriculture are more limited than in the past, and transformation within the sector is thus more important. Equipping agriculture to absorb the needed net inflows of young workers and concurrently raise labour productivity will distinguish successful 21st century rural growth in much of Africa from the classical agricultural transformation of the past. Historically labour has left agriculture as machines enter and workers move to factories or services. An absolute decline in farm employment is not, however, necessary for productivity growth. When additional land can be

brought into cultivation, existing land used more intensively, im­proved varieties adopted, better management undertaken, water used more effectively, and low levels of purchased inputs raised, farms can employ more labour more productively even with mecha ni­zation. Agriculture in much of Africa south of the Sahara and parts of India has absorbed labour with modestly rising productivity in the past two decades. The future growth paths of countries pursuing labour­absorbing agricultural strategies successfully will differ from those of the Asian Tigers of the 20th century because endowments and circumstances dif­fer. Among the key differences is the reality of climate change.

Other plenary sessions involved various prominent local role players in agriculture in panel discussions on the role and contributions of Agricultural Economists in, amongst other, growth and investment in the agricultural sector, agribusinesses, the wine and horticultural industries, policy making and government. Sym posia covered aspects related to food security and trade in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The participation from Stellen­bosch University was notable. 10 of the 66 contributed papers included in the final programme were pre­sented by SU graduate students and lecturers from the Department of Agricultural Economics. Prof Nick Vink (Chair of the Department of Agricultural Economics), together with authors Beatrice Conradie

(UCT), Jenny Piesse and Colin Thirtle (both Prof Extraordinaire in our Department) received the award for the best publication in a professional journal other than Agrekon (AEASA’s journal) during the period 12 months prior to the conference. Mr Michael Day re ceived the award for the best MScAgric thesis in agricultural eco nomics from Stellenbosch Uni­ver sity during the same period. Mr Wandile Sihlobo (former SU MScAgric graduate and currently at the Agricultural Business Chamber) and Prof Mohammad Karaan (for­mer Dean of AgriSciences) were respectively chair and one of the panel members that participated in the discussion on growth and investment in agriculture. Both of them are included in President Ramaphosa’s 10­person advisory panel on land reform. Dr Cecilia Punt (Lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Economics) was the Convenor of the Local Organising Committee. Prof Vink, Prof Johann Kirsten (Director of the Bureau of

Economic Research), Mr Shepherd Mudavanhu (SU Phd candidate) and Mr Johann Boonzaaier (SU Phd candidate) were all part of the SU representation on the Local Organising Committee. Dr Punt and Prof Kirsten are also part of the Management Committee of AEASA while Mrs Lulama Traub (Lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Economics) was elected to the Management Committee during the Annual General Meeting.

Students and staff’s notable participation in AEASA’s 56th annual conference

AEASA Management Committee: Back row: Prof Bennie Grové (Conference Convenor 2019); Mr Motlatjo Moholwa (Vice President); Prof Ferdi Meyer (President); Prof Johann Kirsten (Agrekon Journal Editor); Front row: Ms Bongiswa Matoti (Past President); Dr Mmatlou Kalaba (Secretary/Treasurer); Dr Cecilia Punt (Conference Convenor 2018). The following members were absent: Ms Rethabile Nkosi (AEASA Newsletter Editor); Mrs Lulama Traub (Additional Member).

Prof Ferdi Meyer (left) and Prof Nick Vink (right).

Plaas Media in conjunction with Old Mutual and ALFA (African Livestock Trade Fair) launched

the National Agricultural Student of the Year competition at ALFA this year, which took place from 18 to 20 September at the Afridome in Parys, Free State. The competition is an initiative to identify and offer deserving students an oppor­tunity to network with potential employers, and for such employers to identify potential can­didates for future job opportunities. This year the competition included students from SU, UFS, UP and UKZN. For each university, students from three disciplines, i.e. Animal Science, Crop Production and Agricultural Economics, were provided with a set topic relevant to their discipline, of which they then had to prepare a 5000 letter essay. In each region, the three best essays were selected per discipline, and each student then had to present a 15min Power Point to a panel that included Old Mutual and Plaas

Media representatives. From each discipline, one student from each university then proceeded to the final round, where they competed at ALFA against the finalists of the other universities in their discipline. For SU, Michaela Boshoff re­pre sented the discipline of Animal Science, and Darren Maree the discipline of Crop Production. Michaela and Darren were accompanied by Dr Helet Lambrechts of the Department of Animal Sciences of SU. For the final round, Michaela and Darren had to prepare a poster, as well as were interviewed on an unannounced topic relevant to their discipline by a panel consisting of industry leaders such as Dr John Purchase (Agricultural Business Chamber­South Africa) and Gerhard Schutte (Red Meat Producers Organization). The students representing their respective institutions were presented with their Old Mutual blazers at ALFA. Darren Maree won the category Crop Production. Well done Darren!

Well done Darren!

Darren Maree (left) and Michaela Boshoff (right) in their Old mutual blazers at the ALFA Gala dinner, accompanied by Dr Helet Lambrechts.

achievements

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Ashleigh Forster and Murray Elphick both graduated with a BSc in Food Science in

December of last year and then opted to further their studies in Europe, with a full scholarship to do their Masters at the Food Innovation Programme in Italy.

The abovementioned programme is a 12­ month, full­time Masters programme that offers aspiring food innovators and entrepreneurs an invaluable experience in enhancing their profes­sional goals and personal growth. It is structured in three distinct phases, with a final thesis project and an internship.

The first phase is the INSPIRATION Track in Reggio Emilia, Italy, that offers an intense and comprehensive academic experience combining

classical and innovative educational methodologies, such as foresight training and design thinking.

Once completed, students go through the ASPIRATION Track to expand their entre pre­neurial horizons and engage in the cross­pollination of ideas, cultures and culinary traditions through a global tour of Silicon Valley, California, Shanghai and other Asian and European cities.

Finally, there’s the PERSPIRATION track which includes laboratory training and prototyping in the Officucina, the unique kitchen maker­space, designed specifically for the Food Innovation Pro­gramme.

Murray and Ashleigh also took part in a “Beer Hackathon” where they needed to rethink and redesign the concept of “slow food.” They were

in the same team and won 2500 Euro for their concept. The concept they proposed was for creating a “breakfast on the go” where food trucks would be placed at busy transit stops (train or bus stations) and spent grain from beer in porridges or breads for breakfast would be used.

Currently they are busy with the last phase of their Masters study, which involves a four­month internship with a food company in Italy.

Murray is working with Barilla and Tetrapak on a project which is developing a more sustainable approach to their products. Ashleigh is working with CAMST, an Italian company which provides school and workplace lunches in canteen formats. She will be rethinking and designing “the workplace lunch.”

Nuwe studenteleiers vir 2019 verkiesSó lyk die nuwe ASA­komiteelede vir 2019. Vlnr (agter) Lisa Matthews (Gemeenskapsinteraksie), Talitha Erasmus (Voorsitter), Elizabeth Gleeson (Sosiaal) en Susana Maganga (Studentesake). Vlnr (voor) Lomé Smit (Tesourier), Renoir Hindley (Onder­voorsitter), Lara Nel (Sekretaris) en Carla de Beer (Bemarking).

Two Matie food scientists doing extremely well globally

Beer Hackathon Students in Amsterdam Presentation at INTESA SAN PAOLO The impossible burger

studentenuus

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Retha Engels, an MScAgric stu­dent in the Department of

Animal Sciences at SU, recently at­tended the 64th International Con­gress of Meat Science and Tech­nology (ICoMST) in Melbourne, Australia. The congress that took place from 12 – 17 August 2018; and dele gates ranged from acade­mics and researchers to officials from government and related in­dustries all around the world. The

theme of the congress, “Quality and Integrity for Global Consum­ers”, covered 13 themes, which in­cluded amongst others provenance and fraud detection, next genera­tion technologies to assess carcass and meat quality, and revolution in biometrics and consumer sensory science. Retha, accompanied by her supervisors Prof Louw Hoff­man and Dr Tersia Needham, pre­sented her Masters findings in the

form of a poster presentation, with title “Physical meat quality of impala (Aepyceros melampus), as influenced by production system”. Retha says “The congress was a stimulating ex pe rience, with the various social functions and diffe rent technical and scenic tours allowing delegates to not only net work, but also enjoy Victoria’s beau tiful landscape, excellent food (including kangaroo burgers!) and friendly culture.”

Huysamer bags Young Minds Award at international conferenceA postgraduate student from the Department of Conservation Ecology

and Entomology at SU, Anton Huysamer, received a Young Minds Award at the 30th International Horticultural Congress that take took place in Istanbul, Turkey. Anton received this award for best oral presentation from the International Society for Horticultural Science. More than 1 700 dele gates from 90 countries attended the conference.

One of the 24 scientific symposia was the 11th International Symposium on Postharvest Quality of Ornamental Plants. Anton’s award­winning presen­tation at this symposium was on Postharvest insect pest control for Western flower thrips, “Frankliniella occidentalis’’, in export Proteaceae cut flowers.

Anton’s research is funded by the Postharvest Innovation Fund and Cape Flora SA. His supervisors are Dr Shelley Johnson (CONSENT & HORTGRO) and Dr Lynn Hoffman of the Department of Horticultural Sciences.

Anton Huysamer (left) is pictured here proudly receiving the ISHS’s Young Minds Award at the recent 30th International Horticultural Congress which was held in Istanbul, Turkey.

Impala meat quality features at ICoMST2018

Retha Engels with her poster, ”Physical meat quality of Impala (Aepyceros malampus) as influenced by production system” at the 64th ICoMST Congress, held in Melbourne, Australia, from 12 -14 August 2018.

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Die Departement Hotologie het in die laaste 100 jaar met rasse skrede gegroei en laat

groei! Met sy aanvanklike naam, Vrugteteelt, was dit een van die eerstes in die Fakulteit Landbouwetenskappe toe die Univer siteit in 1918 gestig is.

Interaksie met bedryfsvennote, ver al om waar­de toe te voeg tot die versekering van globale mededinging, was nog altyd ’n be langrike hoeksteen en deel van die missie van die Departement.

Die Departement Hortologie speel ’n kernrol in die uitvoer­gefokusde vrugte­ en snyblombedrywe van Suid­Afrika. Nie alleen is hierdie nywerhede ’n belangrike bron van buitelandse valuta nie, maar bied hulle ook volhoubare en stimulerende werks­geleenthede in landelike gebiede.

Die Departement kyk met trots terug op die afgelope 100 jaar.

Eerste Era: 1918 tot 1939Sedert die vestiging van die department, was en is gehalte­onderrig nog steeds een van die prioriteite van die Departement. Aanvanklik is ’n vier­jaar graadkursus en twee­jaar diplomakursus onder leiding van prof OHS Reinecke aangebied wat aangestel is as die eerste Departementshoof.

Tydens die eerste era tot voor die uitbreek van die Tweede Wêreldoorlog was die Departement verantwoordelik vir die opleiding van studente van beide die Universiteit van Stellenbosch en Elsenburg Kollege. Gedurende dié jare is die eers­te boord op die Welgevallen Proefplaas aangeplant en die vrugtepakhuis op Elsenburg is gebou. Die JH Neethling­gebou is ook opgerig (1925) en die Departement het in een van die hoeke op die boonste vloer ingetrek. Om belangrike inligting aan die bedryf oor te dra, is boere­inligtingsdae en kortkursusse gereeld op Welgevallen en Elsen­burg aangebied.

Perskes en pere is in hierdie dekade as die belangrikste uitvoervrugte beskou. Tydens ’n be­soek aan die VSA in 1932, ontdek prof Reinecke dat die destydse Transvaal geel taaipitperske daar uitgetoets word as inmaakperske. Dit het hom op ’n uitgebreide reis deur die ooste van Suid­Afrika laat reis om belowende geelvleis taaipit variëteite te identifiseer.

Ongeveer ’n jaar later word die perfekte pers­ke vir inmaak in die Oranjerivierstreek geïden­tifiseer en word dit Kakamas gedoop. Die eerste Kakamas­moederboom is ter herinnering vandag nog in die voorportaal van die Lombardi­gebou gemonteer.

Prof Reinecke het gedurende dié tyd hoof­saaklik al die funksies in die Departement alleen behartig en vyf MSc en een DSc graad is onder sy leiding toegeken. Sy DSc­tesis, wat handel oor die bestuiwing van vrugtebome, is internasionaal as handleiding gebruik.

Tweede Era: 1940 tot 1959Hierdie era strek van 1940 toe alle per soneel, met uitsondering van prof Reinecke, asook al die navors­ingsprojekte en onderrig­verant woor delikhede van diplomastudente, van die Departement Pomologie na die Westelike Provinsie se Vrugtenavorsing­stasie (nou INFRUITEC) oor geplaas is. Terselfder­tyd verloor die Departe ment die gebruik van die geriewe op Elsenburg en word proefpersele tot die Welgevallen Proefplaas beperk. Gedurende die oorlog en onmiddelik daarna was die uitvoer van vrugte onmoontlik en daar was baie beperkinge op geriewe en toerusting. Sedert 1947 was daar eg­ter ’n drastiese toename in die uitvoer van vrugte, veral appels. Dit het aanleiding gegee tot die bewus­wording van die belangrikheid van groter produksie per oppervlakte, asook die noodsaaklikheid van besproeiing, bemesting en die eenheidshantering van vrugte. Ses MSc Landbougrade is in die jare toegeken.

Derde Era: 1960­1990Die belangrikste kenmerk van dié era is dat na­vorsing en mettertyd ook kursusse, ge baseer is op die moderne na­oorlogse Kalifor niese we­ten skaplike konsep. Aktiewe samewerking met die bedryf lei tot ’n toename in die plaaslike en internasionale aansien van die Departement, wat gereflekteer het in meer beskikbare fondse vir na vorsing. Dit het geweldige uitbreidings in die Departement moontlik gemaak en noodsaak in 1982 dat die hele Departement oorskuif na die groter ruimte op die grondvlak van IS Perold­gebou.

Hierdie era is byna sonder uitsondering moontlik gemaak en gedomineer deur Prof DK Strydom met sy wetenskaplike kennis, werksywer, besondere vermoë om kennis oor te dra, visie en leiding. Gedurende 1976 bring hy sy studieverlof in Kalifornië deur en selekteer 55 belowende perske­ en nektarienkultivars vir Suid­Afrikaanse omstandighede. Dit was die eerste groot inspuiting van ’n perske­genebron van oorsee.

Vierde Era: 1991 – 2018In 1991 word dr Jacobs as Professor en Hoof van die Departement aangestel. In dié tyd is be­fondsing deur die staat baie verminder en hy het besef dat die Departement ’n sterk nagraad se navor singsfokus benodig om voldoende staat­subsidie te bekom en finansieel lewensvatbaar te bly. Kursusse is aangepas en navorsing is uit gebrei na alle aspekte van die sitrusbedryf. Dit het ook gelei tot die bekendstelling van ’n nuwe kurriku­lum. Prof Jacobs is steeds by die Departement as mentor betrokke in sy hoedanigheid as emeritus professor.

Navorsingsgeleenthede word verder uitgebrei in September 2007 toe die hele Departement oor trek na die Lombardi­gebou met sy nege in­dustrie­gefinansieerde koelkamers.

Een van die Departement Hortologie se trot­se produkte, prof Karen Theron, word in 2002 bevorder tot volle professor en op 1 Julie van dieselfde jaar word sy die voorsitter van die De­partement. Sy word ook die eerste persoon van Agriwetenskappe wat die Kanseliersmedalje vir akademiese uitnemendheid ontvang. Prof Theron is steeds aktief betrokke by die Departement as gesekondeerde personeellid van Hortgro en as die bekleër van die leerstoel in Voor­oes Toegepaste Navorsing in Sagtevrugte.

Navorsingsareas in die huidige era word steeds bepaal deur die behoeftes van die industrie en word ook deur die voorgraadse programme ondersteun

Tans fokus die Departement op sagtevrugte, sitrus en snyblomme.

Die naam1918 Departement Vrugteteelt word gestig.1929 Die Departement se naam verander na

Departement Pomologie.1973 Die Departement verander sy naam van

Departement Pomologie na Tuinboukunde.1979 Die Departement ondergaan ’n naams­

verandering na Departement Hortologie.

SA se eeu­oue vennoot in ’n groener en vrugtevolle toekoms

Prof OHS Reinecke. Die eerste Kakamas Dr Waafeka Vardien. Appels – belangrik vir Die Departement Hortologie se personeel (2018). moederboom. uitvoer.

Die Departement Hortologie sien met groot opgewondenheid uit na die volgende 100

jaar! Dit word reeds erken as ’n Afrika­leier in onderrig, navorsing en tegnologie­oordrag

in hortologie­gewasse soos sagte vrugte, sitrus en fynbos. Nuwe vennootskappe in die

sub­tropiese bedryf word ook vir die nabye toekoms beplan wat onderrig in subtropiese

vrugte met fokus op avokado as model sowel as die inwyding van ’n opwindende nuwe

navorsingsprogram sal behels. Die Departement is gereed om voort te gaan om ’n

leidende rol te speel om dinamiese graduandi te lewer wat toegerus is met die kennis,

vaardighede en aanslag wat nodig is om die uitdagings binne ’n steeds veranderende

fisiese en ekonomiese klimaat, nasionaal, maar ook internasionaal te kan hanteer.

stellenbosch 100