GEORGE NEWS - Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, earlier today, Thursday 11 April, visited the Outeniqua Research Farm outside George.
The farm resorts under the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and is known for its research on dairy production from planted pasture.
Results on pasture and the concentrate component of the dairy feed provide guidelines to producers in the Southern Cape.
Meyer, who inspected pasture trials during his visit, said agriculture is a science, and science must be backed by evidence-based research.
"Our research aims to help grow the agricultural sector and support producers in developing their businesses and creating jobs.
"By providing our producers with high-quality scientific support, we aim to work with them to find innovative solutions to ensure that the sector can flourish.”
Specialist dairy researcher at the research farm Prof Robin Meeske during the minister's visit highlighted that the profitability of milk production is under pressure due to increasing input costs.
As a result, research projects at Outeniqua Research Farm focus on sustainable profitable dairy production from pastures.
“The main profit drivers are pasture production per hectare, cows per hectare and milk production per cow.
"High-quality pasture is the greatest contributor to the cows’ daily nutrient requirements. To meet their energy requirements, high volumes of concentrates, which are often three times more expensive than pasture, are fed to cows.
“Pasture research focuses on optimal pasture yields from known pasture species, especially the various ryegrass species.
"Animal research is conducted into the supplementary concentrate that is fed to the cows. We are looking into possible alternatives for some of the ingredients to make the cost per kilogramme of feed lower without compromising milk yield or milk composition,” said Meeske.
Researchers at Outeniqua are in contact with industry role-players, and this ensures that the research being conducted is relevant to the dairy producers.
Minister Meyer said research findings at Outeniqua Research Farm contribute to improving pasture quality and yield on farms.
"More efficient use of concentrates and adjusting concentrate composition and level of concentrate feeding is key to the profitability of milk production from pasture.
"The industry is kept up to date with our latest finding at the annual Farmers' Days hosted by the research team at the Outeniqua Research Farm."
Dr Ivan Meyer during an inspection of the pasture trials.
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