Day 2: March 13th 2023

After a good night’s sleep, we started off the morning with enjoying the hotel’s buffet breakfast! It was very extensive and allowed us to try some more local foods including their version of bacon which actually comes from the pork loin.

We packed up our things and checked out of the hotel in anticipation of heading to Trekpad Safaris tonight. Before heading there, we had a full day of learning with the Agricultural Research Center (ARC)- this organization plays a similar role to the USDA.

A short drive got us to the ARC complex where we got settled in for a variety of presentations. This was in coordination with the ARC Animal Breeding and Genetics program so various graduate students and professors of the department attended. Top on the list for presentations was the SDSU students presenting a brief slide about themselves and their background!

Next the ARC graduate students introduced themselves and two of them presented on their research. The first presented on Wet Carcass Syndrome in sheep, which looks similar to PSE in swine. This disease doesn’t present any symptoms until after slaughter when the carcasses appear abnormal and are discarded as unfit. Research shows that this is likely a genetic abnormality affected by the environment. In other words, expression of the genetic abnormality depends on th environment where the sheep are raised. The second graduate student presented her research on genetic diversity in indigenous goat populations. This research showed that the local indigenous goats did have significant diversity compared to commercial breeds.

Then the President of the National African Farmers Union gave an address to the group. He talked on improvements seen in South Africa farming over recent years. A large theme was that farmers should see themselves as businessmen and highly encouraged they advocate for funding/science.

We then made our way to a different area of the ARC campus to the Bull Testing Center. This center plays a role in the National Beed Cattle Improvement Scheme. They are working to help farmers select bulls that will have the best progeny. The manager there walked us through some of their research and feed processes. He also showed us how some of the selection data is collected such as scrotal size.

At the Bull Testing Center we also had lunch provided for us by a local producer. We got to try Boerewors which reminded us a lot of brats and also biltong which is similar to beef jerky.

After that we took a break from animal production and went to see a cave. The cave actually connects all the way back to the Cradle of Humankind that we toured yesterday!

Next, we toured the ARC swine units, specifically one housing a couple indigenous pig breeds. The indigenous breeds are housed indoors but are minimally vaccinated as to utilize their natural adaptations. It was very interesting to be inside one of their barns and be able to compare to those back home- certainly many differences!

We wrapped up our ARC portion by visiting one of their Afrikaner herds. We were able to see some of the adaptions Afrikaner cattle have made to this hotter environment such as their loose skin.

Next up was the drive to Trekpad Safari where we will be staying for the next few nights! Once we arrived, we were greeted by our hosts. We got a small tour of some of the buildings on the property and everything is absolutely beautiful. After a warm welcome they provided us a great supper! We are all looking forward to seeing more of the property tomorrow!