Research
The Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI) is a directorate of the Department of Agriculture. The Institute has two major functions, namely research and training.
The emphasis of the work done at Grootfontein is on small stock production and its supportive field. As a result most of the research projects and training is done in the field of small stock production.
GADI is the leading institute in the RSA regarding research and development on small stock production from natural veld. The two main focuses of the Research and Development program of GADI is the development of technology to promote profitable and sustainable small stock production and to enhance sustainable natural resource management and use in the small stock producing areas.
Client needs identified at different forums can be grouped as follows:
- Implementation of current knowledge with regard to sheep and goat production to the benefit of communal and emerging producers
- Grazing capacity norms for different production areas – estimation at farm level
- Veld management systems for sustainable land use in arid areas
- More efficient utilisation of available plant material for livestock production
- Management practices for more efficient survival and growth to reproduction age in sheep and goats
- More efficient methods of breeding for increased profitability and the introduction of marker assisted selection in sheep and goats in South Africa
- Investigation into the cause of specific animal diseases and practical animal health practices
- Evaluation of the financial impact of different management interventions on farming enterprises for emerging and existing producers
- Implications of different farm management practices on the quality of animal fibres and practical utilisation of fleece traits in ensuring maximum price
- Methods to reduce livestock losses due to problem animals and theft.
More detail about specific research projects can be obtained on the website of GADI: http://gadi.agric.za
