Vol 10 no 2. JUlY 2013 Mass pet sterilisation pilot pRoJECt sa wine wows China FARe kicks off agriculture Research and news magazine of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture CONTENTS eDitorial / from the ministrY on oUR CoVER Setting the scene 1 From the Ministry - Gerrit Van Rensburg 1 intronised as a Commandeur du Vin de Bordeaux M ass pET neWs snippets SA Wine tasting in Beijing 2 sterilisatiON Carthorse donation 3 pilot pROJECT World Environmental Day 3 Learning Better together - school open Days 4 at Elsenburg pet overpopulation and the resulting Western Cape Government supports winemakers 6 neglect and disease transmission risk Successful ostrich auction at oudtshoorn 7 was identified as a serious problem Research Farm in the Western Cape. to combat this, Abundant harvest 8 the Western Cape Department of agriculture (WCDOA) teamed up with people on the moVe the stellenbosch local Municipality, ostrich geneticist obtains doctoral degree 9 several animal welfare organisations Accolades for plant sciences Researchers 10 and veterinarians and began a pet Three Extraordinary professors 10 mass sterilisation pilot project in Young scientists’ prestigious invitation to present their research in australia 11 Kayamandi, stellenbosch. eConomiCs Unlocking the value of the proudly South african Campaign 12 takinG oUr serViCe oUt there Mass animal sterilisation pilot project: KaYaManDi 14 FaRE panel begins engagements with agriculture stakeholders 16 14 Plan for farm workers 18 researCh neWs Melkvastestowwe, sleutel tot hoër melkprys! 19 hUman Capital DeVelopment PAY interns 20 20 DiarY anD eVents Cape town to host iFaMa’s 24th annual world forum and symposium 21 JoUrnal Effect of different carbon dioxide levels during artificial incubation on hatchability of ostrich eggs 23 The effects of free stall design and free stall surface 19 material on the behaviour of lactating holstein cows 26 is a qUarterlY maGazine, DistriBUteD to sUBsCriBers at no CharGe by the PROBe Western Cape Department of AgriCUltUre sUBsCription printinG aDDRESS For free subscription to this quarterly Jetline thibault square private Bag X1, Elsenburg, 7607 magazine, please submit your details to tel: 021 808 5111 • Fax: 021 808 7605 Magrieta de lange DesiGn anD laYoUt E-mail: [email protected] tel: 021 808 7613 • Fax: 021 808 7605 pE&R Business solutions E-mail: [email protected] aGriproBe | EDITORial settinG the sCene andre Roux – [email protected] his issue contains some information on our scientists and present papers and posters at international congresses, tother technical staff that attend international conferences reflects the high esteem for the work and the perceived value and workshops. this provides the opportunity to reflect on of sharing the information with other international scientists the relevance of attending these events. and technical people. it therefore results not only in the Firstly, the attendance of these events provides the recognition of the work that the specific person has done, but opportunity for staff to meet international experts, have also promotes the Department as a centre of excellence in discussions with them and learn from their vast experience terms of international norms and standards. and knowledge. the opportunities for networking with world Fourthly, these visits also serve to introduce young scientists renowned scientists, researchers and technical people allow and technical staff to the world of international science and our staff to build networks and relationships with these motivates them to reach similar levels of knowledge and people that can be very valuable for the work this department recognition as the international experts that they listen to does in the future. Many links established over the years with and have the opportunity to meet. it hopefully also motivates international experts are still maintained today and continue them to continue with their own careers with the Department, to provide valuable information that assist staff in their utilising the excellent opportunities provided within the research and applied research endeavors. Department and their normal day to day work activities. Secondly, the papers and posters by our staff provide the It is a requirement that a formal report must be compiled opportunity for them to present their work to other experts after every international visit and these reports are available in that would normally not be aware of their efforts. it also allows the library for all staff to read and to benefit from the contents them to receive comments and suggestions on their work. thereof. it creates the opportunity for peer review, which would not It can be concluded that the money spent on attending happen if they did not attend the international conferences international congresses, symposia and workshops is money and workshops. this is a mutually beneficial opportunity for well spent and the benefit for both the Department and the all attendees of these events. officials, far exceeds the monetary value of the attendance. Thirdly, the international recognition that staff members receive for their work, as expressed in the invitations to happy reading! GERRit Van REnsBURG intronised as a CommAndeuR du Vin de BoRdeAux Wouter Kriel – [email protected] Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of agriculture and Rural Development, was intronised as a Commandeur du Vin de Bordeaux en afrique du sud at a function held on Vergelegen Farm, somerset West. The Comanderie de Bordeaux en afrique du sud acknowledged Minister van Rensburg for his contribution in promoting the south african wine industry in general, and specifically for his efforts in relation to the Western Cape Burgundy Exchange programme. Minister van Rensburg said he is honoured by the recognition on this level. “the wine industry is a historic cornerstone of the Western Cape economy, and today it provides more than 275 000 job opportunities throughout a complex value chain”. he said the south african wine industry is competing successfully on the international wine market, and we have gained a worldwide reputation for our quality products. Minister van Rensburg said the relationship with the French wine industry is of utmost importance for both countries, as we have a lot to learn from one another. he said the Western Cape Burgundy Exchange programme is exposing our wine industry workers to international practices, and the skills and knowledge gained while in France is of much value to our local industry. The Burgundy Exchange programme was initiated in 2000, and includes study programmes for cellar students and cheese makers, cultural exchange programmes and economic development initiatives. The Western Cape Department of agriculture invests photo by Wouter Kriel R1 million annually in the Exchange programme, allowing for Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of agriculture and Rural between 20 and 30 Western Cape workers in the agricultural Development, is intronised by and related sectors to hone their skills in France each year. hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and approximately 500 people from the Western Cape and Burgundy Danie De Wet as a Commandeur du Vin de Bordeaux en afrique du sud. have benefited from this programme since its inception. 1 aGriproBe | nEW s snippETS sA WiNE TastiNg in Beijing Wouter Kriel – [email protected] the Western Cape Government, together with Wines of south IntEREstinG FaCts aBoUt thE SA WinE inDUstry africa, recently hosted the second Beijing Wine tasting in China. this year saw 16 wine companies exhibiting more than 250 • South africa produces roughly 800 million litres of wine south african wines. the event was attended by Chinese wine per year, of which approximately 50% is exported. in importers, the Chinese wine press, and local wine enthusiasts. terms of global production SA is the 8th largest producer Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of agriculture and with approximately 102,000 hectares under vineyard. Rural Development, opened the event, inviting the Chinese south africa represents 3% of global wine trade in terms audience to experience the Western Cape through wine tourism. of volume and 6% in terms of value. Minister van Rensburg and Michaela stander, Market Manager: • Our largest export markets are the UK, Germany, sweden and Europe and asia, Wines of south africa, fielded questions from the netherlands with the USA and China becoming increasingly the Chinese press at a press briefing. important. China currently represents approximately 3% of our total exports. SA currently has less than 3% market Minister van Rensburg told journalists south africa produces share in China, which represents an excellent opportunity the best quality wine in the world at any given price point. he for future export growth. said south africa is unique amongst wine producing countries due to our ability to guarantee the origin of each bottle of wine • South african wine exports to China have experienced back to the vineyard where the grapes were harvested. “this is good growth in both bulk and packaged product, growing a very strong guarantee of quality and food safety, unmatched approximately 32% over the past 4 years (2009 – 2012). by the rest of the wine producing world.” since 2011 China entered our list of our top ten export destinations for packaged wine exports. Figures for the Michaela stander stressed the diverse wine offering from the first five months of 2013 already show a 53% increase Western Cape: “We have some of the oldest viticultural soils for total exports, compared to the same period last year. in the world. our winelands are encircled by two oceans and What is especially important is that the growth has been we have diversity of soil and climate, giving our winemakers predominantly in packaged exports, which showed a 40% endless wine-making possibilities. We are able to produce a increase over the same period. variety of wine styles all representing incredible value at each price point. stylistically we produce varietal, fruit forward wines with the elegance and finesse that makes it easy to pair with photo by Wouter Kriel food.