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Institute with the help of Prof Rob Gous from the University of KwaZulu-Natal is currently busy to develop a mathematical computer-based optimisation model for ostriches A brief description of the project follows after an indication of the persons and institutions involved. Practical application of optimisation models Intensive commercial ostrich production deals with decision-making. The producer’s decision-making is aimed at maximum profit out of the business. However, decisionmaking is based on various practical factors, namely market needs on the one hand and the means at the producer’s disposal, as well as his own circumstances on the other hand. The market needs for ostrich products may be specified in terms of leather, meat and feathers. The producer’s circumstances and the means at his disposal will, for example, include the following: • Genotype and growth potential of animals • Production environment • Potential intake of the animals • Availability, quality and price of feed • Feed processing techniques • Management practices (e.g. harvesting of feathers, division of the sexes during rearing, etc.) It is possible to link a monetary value to both the market need and the means at the producer’s disposal. By utilising the capacity of the computer, as well as certain biological and mathematical principles, it is possible for the model or computer program to evaluate the information available and use it to assist the producer in his decisionmaking. Such a model will then also be adjusted and improved as research information becomes available. A broiler model developed by Prof. Rob Gous of the University of Natal will be adapted for the ostrich industry. In this model the following three aspects AgriPROBE September 2007 of the nutrition program are optimised: • The amino acid content of each feed within a set nutrition program • The energy content of each feed within a set nutrition program • The optimal nutrition program for feeds with a specific nutritional composition. Typical information collected to construct the model include the following: Biological information • Growth curves for different breeds and sexes in an environment where feed intake is unlimited. • Estimate of the body composition (amino acids, fat, fatty acids, energy value, etc.) of the total carcass of the animal at the various growth stages. • Determination of the composition of the carcass of the animal at the various stages under different feeding conditions. • Determination of the separate development of the body components (meat, feathers and skin) of birds at different growth stages. • Measurement of the development of all the economically important end products at various stages of development (e.g. the development of the 17 different cuts of meat over time, skin size, skin damage, nodule size and tensile strength of the skin over time). Economic information • The price of the various end products according to quality criteria • The price of feed components and commercial feed Management information • The effect of the harvesting of feathers on production • The effect of feed processing on production It is clear that the use of computer-based mathematical models holds great advantages for all commercial animal production industries. Scientific information on the ostrich industry is relatively scarce. It is essential that all scientific information collected in future be utilised in the best interest of the ostrich industry. The use of optimisation models offers an excellent technique for collecting scientific information and conveying it to the producer in a practical and useful form. By Prof. Tertius Brand Institute for Animal Production e-mail: TersB@ elsenburg. com. 18
Clippings Silver for Ters 19 Professor Tertius Brand, specialist animal researcher from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture has recently been awarded a silver medal for his continued excellence in the field of research on nutrition and feeding systems by the South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS). According to the Society Tertius is considered as a truly leading South African nutritionist with his insight in complex problems, his innovative nature, his exceptional work ethics and his excellent record of reporting research to fellow scientists, funding co-ordinators and the general industry. He is presently regarded as an undisputed world leader in the field of the scientific nutrition of ostriches. As the leader of numerous projects on the nutrition of ostriches Tertius was able to attract external funding to the value of ±R4.5 million over the past six years. In the present situation where limited funds is being canalised to groundbreaking research, this is an achievement. Innovations stemming from this research include a range of near infrared spectroscopy curves for a range of feedstuffs, a computer model for the prediction of the optimum slaughter age for ostriches, and electronic feed database for typical South African feeds and a mathematical optimisation model for the prediction of the nutrient requirements of ostriches. He also played a major role in the patenting of a feeding system for the separate feeding of male and female ostrich breeders being maintained as pairs. Innovations like these are due to revolutionise the scientific feeding of ostriches (see article on p.17). Navorsers presteer Annelie Kruger van die program Tegnologie, Navorsing en Ontwikkeling se Dierproduksie Instituut op Elsenburg en Clovis Bhiya, toe nog deel van die Departement se Young Professional program, het onlangs hulle M Tech Grade van die Nelson Mandela Metropolitaanse Universiteit op George ontvang. Annelie is ’n permanente beampte op Elsenburg, terwyl Clovis onlangs as dosent by die Kaapse Instituut vir Landbou-opleiding: Elsenburg aangestel is. Annelie het die voedingsbestuursaspekte van volstruise ondersoek, terwyl Clovis na die ideale slagouderdom vir volstruise gekyk het. Clovis het ook ’n trofee vir die beste nagraadse studie in Landboubestuur van die Universiteit ontvang en het sy graad cum laude verwerf. Landboumanne se rugbyharte klop sterk Die PANNAR landboukolleges rugbyweek is onlangs by die Departement se Kaapse Instituut vir Landbou-opleiding: Elsenburg aangebied. Ten spyte van ‘n titaniese stryd teen veral Potchefstroom, Saasveld en Grootfontein, het die Elsenburgspan weer eens met die louere weggestap as die toernooi se algehele wenners. Ander kolleges wat deelgeneem het, was Fort Cox (Oos- Kaap) en Cedara (KwaZulu-Natal). Mundus van Niekerk van Potchefstroom het die meeste punte (60) op die telbord geplaas, gevolg deur Andries van Dyk van Grootfontein (51) en Johann du Plessis van Elsenburg (46). AgriPROBE September 2007
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Page 7 and 8: For the extensive small grain cropp
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