The 55th Annual Congress of the South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) was successfully held from 8–10 July 2025 at the Ranch Protea Hotel in Polokwane, Limpopo Province. Jointly hosted by the University of Venda (UNIVEN) through the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture (FSEA), with support from Institute for Rural Development (IRD), the University of Limpopo, and the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD), the congress convened over 300 delegates under the theme: “Thriving in Diverse Environments: Optimised Innovations and Resilience in Livestock-Wildlife Interactions.”
Prof Obert Tada, Chair of the Local Organising Committee which included Prof Felix Fushai, Prof Joseph Baloyi, Dr Teedzai Chitura and Dr Andrea Raseona from the Department of Animal Science, and Prof Marizvikuru Manjoro from the Institute for Rural Development (IRD), contextualised the theme within broader global and local challenges, including climate variability, sustainability, and technological disruption. He emphasised the importance of resilience and scientific innovation in navigating these issues.
The congress was formally opened on behalf of the Limpopo MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development by Dr Mellinda Labuschagne. She highlighted Limpopo’s status as a growing hub for scientific dialogue and agricultural innovation. With one of the country’s largest livestock populations, the province is at the forefront of research and policy implementation related to climate resilience, youth empowerment, and equitable agricultural value chains. Dr Labuschagne urged delegates to envision a future for animal agriculture that is ethical, technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable.
In a welcome address on behalf of UNIVEN’s Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Re-search and Postgraduate Studies, Prof Lutendo Murulana, encouraged dele-gates to reflect on the congress’s deeper purpose. Referencing researchers such as Orlando Fals-Borda and Wangari Maathai, the address challenged the scientific community to embrace a participatory and decolonised approach to research, one that centres local knowledge, equity, and tangible societal transformation.
The speech highlighted the need for inclusive innovation that addresses real-world challenges in rural communities, smallholder farming systems, and underrepresented spe-cies. Areas such as One Health, entrepreneurship, rural revitalisation, and youth-led in-novation were underscored as urgent priorities for the future of animal science.
SASAS President, Prof Trevor Dugmore, delivered a heartfelt address, marking his final congress after nearly four decades of involvement in the society.
He reflected on SASAS’s transformation, particularly in inclusivity, language, gender representation, and scientific diversity. He commended the strong student presence and dynamic scientific exchange at this year’s congress. Prof Dugmore’s remarks celebrated the congress as a milestone event, bringing together research, practice, and policy in meaningful ways to shape the future of animal science in South Africa and beyond.
This year’s congress offered a robust 3-day programme featuring more than 220 peer-reviewed presentations. The agenda addressed critical topics such as cli-mate change adaptation, biotechnology, animal genetics, health, sustainable live-stock production, and regenerative agriculture. Expert keynote and lead theme speakers, scientific exhibitions enriched the scientific discourse and promot-ed cutting-edge engagements on advances in animal science and agribusiness.
A central goal of the congress was to promote collaboration among research-ers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, particularly around innovations sup-porting mixed-use environments and resilient livestock systems. The event served as a strategic platform for UNIVEN to bolster its research profile and expand part-nerships with national institutions such as the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).
A distinctive feature of the congress was its emphasis on postgraduate student de-velopment. The UNIVEN postgraduate student contingent included a record ten (10) postgraduate students who were funded by the FSEA to attend the confer-ence. Through presentations, poster sessions, and networking events, includ-ing the SASAS Student Quiz and Debate, the students engaged actively with con-temporary research and industry trends. This youth-focused agenda reflected the broader theme of inclusive innovation and capacity building in animal science.
The UNIVEN conference scientific contingent: Standing: Some of the 10 postgraduate students at the con-ference: Sitting in front row from left to right: Prof Jethro Zuwarimwe (IRD), Prof Michael Chimonyo (Re-search Professor (FSEA), Prof Marizvikuru Manjoro (IRD), Dr Teedzai Chitura, Prof Felix Fushai, Prof Joseph Baloyi, Dr Andrea Raseona, Ms Kgabo Mahlako (Department of Animal Science).
UNIVEN students and researchers played a visible role, contributing presenta-tions, chairing sessions, and engaging directly with industry leaders, underscor-ing the university’s leadership in precision and sustainable livestock production.
The 55th SASAS Congress in Limpopo succeeded in fostering interdisciplin-ary collaboration, showcasing scientific excellence, and inspiring a new genera-tion of animal scientists. By centring resilience, innovation, and equity, the con-gress not only advanced academic dialogue but also laid the groundwork for impactful transformation in livestock systems across diverse environments.
The awards ceremony, held during the gala dinner on the second day of the congress, announced Stellen-bosch University as the winner of the Quiz competition, taking first place.
In the Debate competition, North-West University claimed the top position, earning first place in this cate-gory.
For the Poster presentation, the award was presented to students from different Universities who participated in the competition.
2025 SASAS Local Organising Committee
UNIVEN Post Graduate Students
SASAS Council and the Local Organising Committee
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