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The South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) Northern Branch will host their annual student industry day on 10 April 2025. The event will be held at the Groenkloof campus of the University of Pretoria. Students from the North-West University (NWU), University of Pretoria (UP), University of Venda (UNIVEN), University of Limpopo (UL) and Tompi Seleka College of Agriculture will attend this exclusive event.
While experts will be providing career advice and top employers will be scouting newcomers to the industry, students can catch a glimpse of what the various sectors in animal science entail, discover what sparks their interest and hear from keynote speakers.
Who is SASAS?
SASAS is home to animal scientists that work in a broad spectrum of the agricultural industry, ensuring that high standards and ethical principles are upheld. It is an organisation that positions itself to promote animal science and related professions, while bringing attention to issues that impact it. SASAS also publishes the South African Journal of Science (SAJAS), which publishes scientific research in a peer-reviewed journal.
Read more about 54th annual SASAS Congress here.
The SASAS Northern Branch was founded in 1978 and is still going strong. The mission of this branch is to advance animal science and to promote viable animal production systems while sustaining natural resources and the environment, thereby enhancing welfare and wealth.
What to expect from the student industry day
Last year’s event proved to be an inspired day in which 100 bright agricultural science students were given real-world career advice from industry experts who have been in their shoes.
This year will be no different, with 200 students set to attend the event. Exhibitors will represent their respective organisations and engage with students in between informative talks. Top companies within the agricultural industry, such as AFGRI Animal Feeds, Chem Nutri Analytical, Cargill, and Trouw Nutrition, will inform students about their operations, the services they provide, and the opportunities they offer, with a view on potential employees, interns and applicants for their graduate programs.
Who’s holding the mic?
Ten speakers are lined up and ready to share their stories as industry leaders.
Roné Vermeulen, technical manager and poultry nutritionist at Feed First, will be talking about her experience working in one of the biggest poultry consulting businesses in South Africa, and offer students an idea of what to expect from the industry.
Gay Boomgaard, divisional technical manager at Meadow Feeds, will bring her decades of experience in poultry nutrition to the stage. Boomgaard, who has been with Meadow Feeds for 20 years, encourages those attending to be prepared with any questions they may have.
Aston Bull, customer support manager at Topigs Norsvin, will enlighten and inspire students. He started his career at Topigs Norsvin in 2020 as a motivated student.
Other speakers include Zane Wilson, technical services manager at Vitam International; Dewald Olivier, CEO of Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), Enrike Maree, founder of AgriCV; Retha Gericke, technical advisor at De Heus; Megan Marshall, senior EKS specialist at Elanco; Adeline Snowdowne, AI station manager at Dan Bred; and Jamie Fourie, research associate at Neuro Livestock Research.
Plaas Media is the proud media partner of this event.
Career opportunities: Farm boots or lab coats?
There are many career possibilities for future animal scientists, including working in the livestock sector, research, education and training at universities or research institutions, conservation, consultancy, or the pharmaceutical, feed or animal husbandry sectors. From highly physical to theoretical work, involving all livestock species form monogastric or ruminants.
Animal science offers a vast selection of fields and while the array of options calls for a lot of excitement, planning for a future career can be a daunting assignment. A networking event such as this one, may be exactly what students need to guide them in choosing a career. – Milla Matthee, Plaas Media
For more information send and email to sasasnorthernbranch@gmail.com
