Agriculture
Stud Book honours top SA breeders─── SABRINA DEAN 14:00 Wed, 29 Apr 2015
Bloemfontein - Stud breeders from across the country were wined and dined during the annual SA Stud Book Elite Gala Dinner at Leopards and Lace in Bloemfontein on April 28.
One of the most moving awards was probably the announcement of a former emerging stud farmer winner, Duncan Serapelwane as the Farmers Weekly/SA Stud Book Elite 2015 Mentor Breeder of the Year. The Bonsmara breeder, who is based in Morokweng, ascribes his achievement to hard work, a passion for farming and hands-on commitment:
The organisation also hosts its annual breeders’ symposium this week with world renowned animal genetics expert Professor Dorian Garrick jetting in from Iowa State University in the US to deliver the keynote address. Garrick says his focus will be on genomic selection:
'Duncan - hard work'
He has the following advice:
'Duncan - advice'
This year’s Unistel/SA Stud Book Elite 2015 Emerging Stud Farmer of the Year award went to Katlego Ramfate of Motholung, while the sought after first place in the Elite Bull Growth Test Class, held at Bloem Show ealrier in the day, went to Paul Bester of the Mathomo PinZ²yl Stud in Mooketsi.
Stud Book SA General Manager Dr Pierre van Rooyen says the annual awards event provides an opportunity to give recognition to the country’s best breeders for their role in improving the genetic pool of SA’s livestock:
'Pierre van Rooyen'
'Dorian Garrick'
Other symposium highlights include an address by Professor Este van Marle-Köster of the University of Pretoria on the practical value of genomics for the livestock industry, with veterinarians Dr Danie Odendaal and Dr Faffa Malan speaking on use of data and records in management practices to ensure optimal animal health.
Sabrina Dean/OFM News
'Duncan - hard work':
'Duncan - advice':
'Pierre van Rooyen':
'Dorian Garrick':
