Ignatius Nsahlai

nsahlaii@ukzn.ac.za

Prof Nsahlai I.V. is a Cameroonian by birth, married with four lovely daughters and a handsome son. He is holder of a BSc. and a Maîtres degree from the University of Yaounde (Cameroon) and a PG Diploma and PhD from the University of Reading (UK). After leaving Reading in July 1991, he joined the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) which, in 1994, evolved, through a merger with the International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (ILRAD), to become the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). 

 

During his work experience in the then ILCA in Ethiopia, he served as a Postdoctoral fellow for 2½ years, following which he was promoted to the position of Associate Scientist in the ILRI, in which capacity he served for 2 years. While with the ILRI, he researched alternative supplementation strategies for improving the productivity of ruminant livestock in smallholder production systems. Consequently, his research interest includes supplementation of ruminants fed low quality crop residues with non-conventional feeds (browse and herbaceous legumes).  

 

He joined the University of Natal in July, 1996. As a senior lecturer in Animal Science, he lectures feeds and feeding, digestive physiology and ruminant nutrition. His research interest remains largely unchanged but is now oriented towards modeling the availability of nutrients in feedstuffs to ruminant livestock. Currently, Ignatius has 84 peer-reviewed journal articles and 56 in proceedings in his credit. 

 

Dr Nsahlai is also investigating : the influence of tannin compounds on the infestation of grazing sheep by gastro-intestinal parasites; the influence of roughage quality on the rate of breakdown of long to fine particle, rumen digesta load and passage rate in sheep; and the characterization of the low resource livestock production system.   

 

In his spare time, Ignatius enjoys lawn tennis, swimming and music. He has four beautiful daughters and an adventurous young son.  

 

Main research interests: 

Rumen metabolism; Feed evaluation; Modeling intake and digestibility; and Livestock implication in Food security. 

 

Current teaching duties:  

Livestock Production

Digestive Physiology and Herbivore Nutrition

Research Methods in Rumen Metabolism.

 

Publications in the last 5 years:

2011

Blaine, K.  and Nsahlai, I.V., 2011.  The effects of shade on performance, carcass classes and behaviour of heat-stressed feedlot cattle at the finisher phase. Trop Anim Health Prod., pp. 1-7. 

Mkhize, N.R., Scogings, P.F., Dziba, L.E. and Nsahlai, I.V., 2011. Season and plant species influence foraging efficiency of Nguni goats in pens. African Journal of Range & Forage Science 2011, 28(1): 29–34. 

Kunene NW, Bezuidenhout CC, Nsahlai, I.V., Nesamvuni EA., 2011. A review of some characteristics, socio-economic aspects and utilization of Zulu sheep: implications for conservation.  Trop Anim Health Prod. Online. 

Abdoua, N., Nsahlai, I.V. , and  M. Chimonyo  (2011) Effects of groundnut haulms supplementation on millet stover intake, digestibility and growth performance of lambs.  Animal Feed Science and Technology. 169(3-4):176-184. 

Basha, N.A.D, Scogings, P.F. , Dziba, L.E., Nsahlai I.V. (2011) Diet selection of Nguni goats in relation to season, chemistry and physical properties of browse in sub-humid subtropical savanna. Small Ruminant. (Accepted).  

 

2009

Kunene, NW, Bezuidenhout CC, Nsahlai, I.V., 2009. Genetic and phenotypic diversity in Zulu sheep populations: Implications for exploitation and conservation. Small Rumin. Res., 84: 100–107. 

Kunene, N.W.,. Nesamvuni, A.E and Nsahlai, I.V., 2009. Determination of prediction equations for estimating body weight of Zulu (Nguni) sheep Small Rum. Res., 84:41-46

Basha, N.A.D., Scogings, P.F., and Nsahlai, I.V.,  2009. Diet selection by Nguni goats in the Zululand Thornveld. South African Journal of Animal Science, 39:33-36.

Mahala, G., Nsahlai, I.V., Basha, N/A.D., and Mohammed, L.A. 2009.  Nutritive evaluation of natural pastures at early and late rainfall season in Kordofan and Butana. Sudan. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences. 3(4):4327- A 4332.

Ouda, J.O., and Nsahlai, I.V., 2009. Relevance and potential use of the in vitro gas production measurements to evaluate varying ratios of roughages and protein sources for ruminants. J. Appl. Anim. Res. 35: 9-16

 

2007

Bengaly K, Mhlongo S and Nsahlai, I.V., 2007, The effect of wattle tannin on intake, digestibility, nitrogen retention and growth performance of goats in South Africa. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 19, Article #50. Retrieved printDate() April 18, 2007, from http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd19/4/beng19050.htm

Ouda, J.O. and Nsahlai, I.V., 2007. Nutritive value of maize stover harvested at two stages of maturity and mixed with different types and levels of  protein supplements. J. Appl. Anim. Res. 32: 89-95.

Nsahlai, I.V., and Apaloo, J. 2007. On the suitability of Illius and Gordon’s model for simulating the intake and digestibility of roughage diets by ruminants. South African Journal of Animal Science, 37: 275-289.

 

2006

Ouda, J.O., Nsahlai, I.V. and Mahundu, P.M.  2006. In vitro degradability and gas production of Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) mixed with varying types and levels of roughages. South African Journal of Animal Science, 36: 111-121.

Njobeh, P.B., Iji, P.A., and Nsahlai, I.V. 2006. Influence of composition and storage conditions on the concentrations of Free Fatty acids and peroxides in broiler diets. International Journal of Poultry Science 5(3): in press.

Ghebremariam, W.K., Ortmann, G.F., and Nsahlai, I.V., 2007. A production function analysis of commercial dairy farms in the Highlands of Eritrea using ridge regression. Agrekon, 45:225-242.

Chimonyo@ukzn.ac.za

 

I am a passionate animal scientist who joined the Discipline of Animal and Poultry Science, UKZN on 1 June 2010. I graduated from the University of Zimbabwe, Harare, with a PhD in pig genetics and conservation of animal genetic resources in 2005.

I have a number of research interests on livestock, ranging from commercial livestock production systems to the complex communal livestock systems. I have worked extensively on the adaptability and tolerance to parasites and their potential to produce world-class organic beef and chevon from Nguni cattle and goats. I have also worked on the genetic determination of piglet performance and birth intervals in sows.

My current interests are on using the modeling approach to determine the influence of dietary fibre on voluntary intake of pigs and individual nutrients in growing pigs.

I am a committed to teaching excellence and am currently completing a post-graduate diploma in Higher Education and Training with the University of Fort Hare. As a responsible citizen, I have the responsibility to train students, and, hopefully, make them better than me. The challenges in the future look more serious than they are!

Some of my recent publications are:

1. Rumosa Gwaze F, Chimonyo M and Dzama K. (2009). Variation in the functions of goat genetic resources of Zimbabwe and South Africa. Tropical Animal Health and Production 41: 1381-1391.

2. Muchenje V, Dzama K, Chimonyo M, Strydom PE, Hugo A and Raats JG. (2009). Cholesterol levels and fatty acid profiles of beef from three cattle breeds raised on natural pasture. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 22(4): 354-358.

3. Muchenje V., Dzama K., Chimonyo M., Strydom P.E., Raats J.G., 2009. Relationship between pre-slaughter stress responsiveness and beef quality in three cattle breeds. Meat Science 81(4): 653-657.

4. Marufu MC, Chimonyo M, Dzama K and Mapiye C. (2009). Sero-prevalence of tick-borne diseases in communal cattle reared on sweet and sour rangelands in a semi arid area of South Africa. The Veterinary Journal: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.02.014.

5. Mapiye C, Chimonyo M and Dzama, K. (2009). Seasonal dynamics, production potential and efficiency of cattle in the sweet and sour communal rangelands in South Africa. Journal of Arid Environments 73: 529-536.

6. Mapiye C, Chimonyo M and Dzama, K., Raats, J.G. and Mapekula, M. (2009). Opportunities for improving Nguni cattle production in the smallholder farming systems of South Africa. Livestock Science 124: 196-204.

7. Xhomfulana, V., Mapiye, C., Chimonyo, M and Marufu, M.C., 2009. Supplements containing Acacia karroo foliage reduce nematode burdens in Nguni Steers. Animal Production Science 49 (8): 646-653.

8. Mapiye, C., Chimonyo, M., Dzama, K., Strydom, P.E., Marufu M.C. and Muchenje, V., 2009. Nutritional status, growth performance and carcass characteristics of Nguni steers supplemented with Acacia karroo leaf-meal. Livestock Science 126: 206-214.

9. Chimonyo, M., Dzama, K., Bhebhe, E. and Mapiye, C., 2009. Growth performance and carcass characteristics of indigenous Mukota pigs of Zimbabwe. Tropical Animal Health and Production, DOI: 10.1007/s11250-009-9522-5.

10. Mapiye, C., Chimonyo, M. Dzama, K., Strydom, P. E. and Muchenje, V., 2009. Meat quality attributes of Nguni steers supplemented with Acacia karroo leaf-meal. Meat Science, 10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.10.021.

11. Nqeno, N., Chimonyo, M., Mapiye, C. and Marufu, M.C., 2010. Ovarian activity, conception and pregnancy patterns of cows in the semi-arid communal rangelands in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Animal Reproduction Science 118: 140–147.

12. Mapiye, C., Chimonyo, M., Dzama, K. and Marufu, M.C., 2010. Protein status of Nguni and local crossbred cattle on semi-arid communal rangelands of South Africa. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Sciences 23 (2): 213 - 225.

13. Muchenje V, Chimonyo M, Dzama K, Strydom PE, Ndlovu T and Raats JG. (2010). Relationship between off-flavour descriptors and flavour scores in beef from cattle raised on natural pasture. Journal of Muscle Foods 21: 424-432.

Mariana Ciacciariello

Ciaccm@ukzn.ac.za

 

1992-1999 Veterinarian.
University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

2000-2001 Master of Science in Agriculture (converted into a PhD Project).
Department of Animal & Poultry Science. University of Natal. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Thesis: ‘Effects of feed restriction and lighting programmes during the rearing and early laying period on reproductive performance of broiler breeder hens’

2002–2003 Doctor of Philosophy. Department of Animal & Poultry Science. University of Natal. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Thesis: ‘The productive response of broiler breeder hens to lighting and growth manipulation during rearing’.

I am a Porteña by birth, born and bred in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I came to South Africa in January 2000 to study towards my M.Sc. Agric and PhD in Poultry Nutrition at University of Natal. I was first trained as a Veterinarian at the University of Buenos Aires, but I had developed a passion for poultry nutrition and the best place to study further was here. After my studies I was offerd a position to lecture Monogastric Nutrition and Poultry Production at University of Stellenbosch, where I worked from 2004 to 2006. In July 2006 I joined the Department because of the excellent research facilities and the teaching approach used. My main interests are in nutritional and environmental factors that affect broiler breeder production. I have done plenty of work on this topic for my PhD and now I am going to focus my research on nutrient requirements and how different environmental factors will affect breeders' metabolism and performance. These are very exiting times as I have finally set up my research programme together with being awarded an NRF rating for the first time.

I am also very passionate about the teaching side of the job! The department has a fantastic teaching philosophy where problem solving and experiential learning are used to develop skills required in the working world. I am also supervising a number of postgraduate students who are involved in the different research projects conducted here.

However life is not only about work! After hours I am a 'mami', wife and attempt look after a house hold of eight (including our three cats and two dogs)! I have also developed an interest for DIY house renovations and gardening that keeps me busy when I have a spare moment.

Marion Young

Youngm@ukzn.ac.za

 

I matriculated in 1991 from Ladysmith High School. Great school. We have always had creatures around, and doing an agriculture degree was not really a quantum leap in logic!

After my Agric degree, I started a Masters, studying effective energy in the formulation of feeds for laying hens. I enjoyed the fresh air and the work and the material that had to be processed and the conclusions that could be drawn; hence, the natural progression to a PhD.

I was delighted to accept a lecturing post at UKZN and love my job! My PhD study needs to predict the response to nutrition of horses through improved feed characterization. I am watching with great interest the improvement in our equine research program and it pleases me to see my students using their degrees as a platform to pursue the subjects that they love!

I am really looking forward to improving our understanding of these beautiful creatures. I enjoy the interaction with the students, and endeavour to cultivate an attitude of enjoyment in our knowledge-building. We all have a valuable contribution to make to that beautiful universe out there!

Equine nutrition at UKZN initially addressed the assessment of energy evaluation protocols for horse feeds.  Ethnographic studies of the time budgets of the nutritional programmes of racehorses studied the effects of feeding frequencies on higher nutrient density rations.  The influence of management of Thoroughbred racehorse foals can be as measured as a change in developmental symmetry.  Digestibility and rate of passage studies were protocolled in miniature horses, and compared to large horses, to develop an effective equine model for nutrition studies.  The in vivo parameters for glycemic index, digestibility and rate of passage are studied relative to in vitro gas production parameters to study digestive physiology in the hind gut fermenter with synergy between the digestive compartments.  New work platformed by this includes nutrient synchrony for optimal fermentative capacity in the horse, including carbon nitrogen ratios, and fat contents in conventional South African horse diets.  This is to improve the representation of the various horse feeds available to our sport and leisure horses.

African horse sickness research has been very exciting, and started with Culicoides midge ecology and an evaluation of the common prophylaxis for the disease, which is endemic to South Africa.   While primary prophylaxis in vaccination is critical, factors influencing the incidence of the disease have been identified, and are now being involved in new work on the development of stochastic models of AHS incidence and mortality.  In addition, groundbreaking research into the development of a rapid method of serotyping the African horse sickness virus has been included in a South Africa Patent Application.  The timing of the vaccination of foals against AHS is other important research that has been done here.  New work is focussing on the development of epidemiological models include climate parameters and disease transmission information to inform early warning systems and effective prophylaxis in propagating epidemics. 

Nicky Tyler

tyler@ukzn.ac.za

 

I am a Zimbabwean by birth, and growing up in an environment where there is always opportunity to be outdoors stimulated my interest in animals from an early age. I completed a BSc Agric, MSc Agric and then a Phd in Animal Science at at UKZN.

My main interest is in reproduction and fertility of farm animals and I am currently investigating the effects of lighting programmes on the fertility of male broiler breeders. I am interested in the relationship between photoperiod and fertility in an effort maximise fertility in broiler breeder flocks.

I love interacting with students and would like to encourage potential students to join our Discipline, as our teaching philosophy of experiential learning can be a fun and interesting way to learn. Any MSc students interested in reproductive physiology and fertility would be welcomed.

Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, tennis, fishing, bird watching and game viewing (especially at Kariba!). I also play the flute, and enjoy scuba diving!

Rob Gous

gous@ukzn.ac.za

 

Emeritus Professor, retired, well known both locally and internationally for his research on the nutrition of broilers, laying hens and broiler breeders, and the simulation models that he has developed.

I head up a group of researchers involved primarily in producing simulation models for poultry and pig nutrition and production. My interest in modelling started in 1986 but took off whilst I was on sabbatical leave at the Poultry Research Centre in Edinburgh in 1990. My group has become an internationally recognised source of simulation models for the Industry and for training purposes, of software for optimising feeds and feeding programs for broilers and pigs, of useful empirical software for fitting specialised models to data, and of scientific papers on which the simulation models are based. The 34 invitations that I have received since 1990 to present papers on the outputs from this group, from Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, Belgium, the USA, the UK and elsewhere bear testimony to the high standard and uniqueness of the simulation models being produced here, and of the associated research being conducted.

There are many advantages in using simulation modelling as the basis for a research programme, the most important being that this activity generates a constant source of interesting and unique research ideas, some of which may even be tested prior to experimentation. Because a basic theory is being modelled mechanistically, in this case predicting the voluntary food intake of broilers and pigs, many aspects of such a theory have never even entered the minds of most poultry scientists who, in general, have difficulty in thinking up new ideas for research and who consequently often end up repeating trials similar to those that have been published previously. Instead, it has been possible to find stimulating research projects for most of my postgraduate students, and this has resulted in ten completed M Sc Agric theses, two Ph D theses and currently five M Sc and four Ph D projects specifically working in simulation modelling. Another advantage has been the international recognition that has resulted from this activity. The integrated growth model and feed formulation program are also being used at a number of universities to teach the principles of nutrition to under- and postgraduate students.

The major and significant advance that has been made by my group in the past few years, with respect to broiler growth modelling, is the optimisation process that has been incorporated into the program. This has been a major intellectual exercise and has resulted in a nutrition tool that is becoming accepted worldwide as a means of moving forward the nutrition of broilers and pigs. Because our broiler and pig growth models accurately predict voluntary food intake in a mechanistic way, it has been possible to produce an optimiser that can determine the most profitable feeds and feeding programme for a given genotype in a given environment. Unless food intake on any given feed is accurately predicted it is impossible to optimise these features; this optimiser is unique because of this ability.

In addition to the above my group is developing simulation models that deal with the environment in a broiler house, the ovulation cycle and the voluntary food intake of laying hens, and the attainment of sexual maturity and the feeding of broiler breeders. These models have also pointed to, and resulted in, useful and unique research that we have conducted.

My research received a considerable financial boost from the Department of Trade and Industry in South Africa through an initiative known as the Technology And Human Resources For Industry Programme (THRIP). This programme is designed to stimulate cooperative research between universities and the Industry, with matching funding being made available by THRIP to this end. My project entitled ‘Innovative methods of improving productivity and the utilization of nutritional resources in the poultry industry’ resulted in an income over the 7-year period of R6.8m from the Industrial Partners and R6.0m from THRIP. Much of this funding was used to pay salaries of research assistants but a considerable amount was used to upgrade the facilities for poultry research at the University. As a result I have been able to incorporate principles of quality control into every aspect of the research process, and these principles are inculcated into the staff and students working on the research farm. These principles have ensured that the research output is of the highest standard. The exercise is one of the most rewarding that I have experienced, and has resulted in a great sense of pride among all involved, and a considerable improvement in the quality of the research facilities being used.

My most recent research interest has been lighting and nutrition research on broiler breeders. This area of research has proved to be as interesting and unique as the simulation modelling work as we have discovered that broiler breeders are photorefractory, and this has led to a whole series of trials in which we have been investigating various aspects of this condition: what the longest daylength is that will dissipate the condition; what to do in open-sided rearing houses; whether there is an advantage in using short days throughout the laying period etc. Already we have 13 publications on this subject, with a further three accepted.

There is still much that can be researched and modelled. Our research group remains active and enthusiastic.

You can find out more about the models we have developed by visiting:

EFG Software

The facilities that he has developed for poultry and pig nutrition research on the University research farm, Ukulinga, are sufficiently comprehensive to allow researchers to work with broilers, laying pullets (both in the rearing and the laying stages), broiler breeders (housed both on the floor and in cages), and metabolism units for digestibility research. Climate chambers are available for work with broilers, laying hens and pigs. A very well-equipped feed evaluation laboratory is available for the analysis of most nutrients in feed ingredients. These facilities have been used by a plethora of postgraduates working under his supervision, many of whom now enjoy enviably lucrative positions in the commercial sector of the poultry and pig industries in South Africa. He still has many postgraduates working under his supervision.

Birdwatching, mountaineering, bush walking, photography and music, both classical and jazz, are his special interests away from work. Highlights in his life recently have been birding and hiking trips to Nepal, Ecuador and Chile. He is currently scouring books on the world's wild places for his next destination.

 

Zikhona Theodora Rani

Dr Rani has majored with Meat Science and have done a lot of research with abattoirs, retailers, consumers, communal & commercial farmers and community engagement projects. Her focus area includes research on Meat Safety Animal welfare, nutrition of meat and meat products. Her main goal is to become a scientist who will derive research methods that will improve farmer’s livelihoods and the industry at large. She has attended several national and international conferences and is currently supervising Masters and PhD candidates. She is a well-groomed and grounded researcher with moral work ethics, knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Qualifications:
BSc Agric (Animal Production); BSc Hons; MSc Agric (Animal Science); PhD in 

Department:
Animal and Poultry Science

Current teaching duties: 
Researcher & Lecturer

Personal quote:

Recent Publications:

 

Sithembile joined ansi in 2010