PREFACE

The Grootfontein College of Agriculture, as a component of the Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI), is located in the heart of the Karoo. Grootfontein has established itself over the years as the leading institution in the fields of training and research in small stock production. The College has played a major role in the success achieved and progress made in the small stock industry during the last century. The College remains committed to continue with quality agricultural education and training in both the Higher and Further Education and Training bands.

Passion, commitment and positive attitude positiveness were identified as the drivers of the agricultural education and training programs for 2007. Passion contributes towards the success of every institution, project or individual. To be successful in agricultural education and training requires a lot of passion. The Grootfonein College of Agriculture is passionate about agricultural education and training and the achievements of the 2007 academic year bear testimony to this. The students of the College are taught not only the theoretical and practical concepts of agriculture, but also the passion for agriculture.

Commitment is another important building block for success in agriculture. When an institution is committed to agricultural education and training, it will bear the mark of quality, comprehensiveness and excellent results. It is the difference between just providing training and presenting applicable, practice orientated, demand driven training.

A positive attitude towards agriculture will result in the success and prosperity thereof. By being positive about agriculture, Grootfontein believes in the establishment of a united and prosperous agricultural sector.

Non sibi sed patriae

“Not for ourselves but for our fatherland”

[Contents]

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

The Grootfontein College of Agriculture is the training division of the larger Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI) of the Department of Agriculture (DoA). The objective of the Grootfontein College of Agriculture is to provide vocational agricultural training in order to prepare students for a career in farming and related occupational fields, with special emphasis on small stock production management in the extensive small stock farming areas.

In the process, the College promotes a vigorous and wealth generating small stock sector. This is in line with the vision of the Department of Agriculture, namely: “A united and prosperous agricultural sector.”

The College aims to:

• Provide formal vocational training in agriculture in the Higher Education band of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), in order to produce suitably qualified and equipped diplomats, in line with the skills requirements of farming and other tech-nical occupational fields, within the small stock industries;

• Provide appropriate training programs to address the training needs of the farming sector, agri-business, educationists and development agencies;

• Provide formal and informal training in the Further Education and Training band of the NQF to meet the training needs of the farming communities, Land Reform beneficiaries and development agencies;

• Identify the need for training at ground level and to provide custom-designed extra-curricular courses for special interest groups;

• Provide the necessary institutional, infrastructural, financial and administrative support services to support teaching and learning effectively.

The primary beneficiaries of the GADI training program are land users in the extensive sheep and goat producing regions of South Africa. They are represented by provincial departments of agriculture, commodity organisations, agri-business, organised agriculture, farming communities, farmers and Land Reform beneficiaries.

The client needs are determined by communication with provincial departments of agriculture, commodity organisations, agri-business and farming communities. These needs are then aligned with the key programs of the Department of Agriculture.

The positive trend in the continuous development of human resource capacity of the Institute continued during 2007. Three pastures and crop production lecturers were appointed in January 2007. They filled the gap that existed for a number of years in that department. Two lecturers in animal production were appointed during April. At the end of the year some other key appointments were made. A deputy director in pastures and crop production was appointed to manage the training and research programs in this specific discipline. A veterinarian was appointed to present animal health modules, to manage the health programs of the livestock of the Institute and to do research. A specialist agricultural economist was appointed to manage financial study groups and to assist with lecturing in the field of agricultural economics. The College also contracted specialists in different learning areas to add to the excellence of its training program. Table 1 gives the complete list of academic staff of the College during 2007.

Several staff development initiatives were also undertaken during the year with specific focus on junior academic staff. Training as assessors for registration with AgriSETA as well as the “Train the Trainer” course were very successful. A strategic planning session was conducted to set the goals for the short and medium term. Three interns were employed by the College and had the opportunity to broaden their skills and knowledge base in small stock production and lecturing.

The development of a new student administration computer program neared finalisation during 2007. This computer program will be implemented during 2008 and will replace the current one. It will provide more options and comprehensive student administration.

A task team was appointed by the Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs to determine the status of all 11 agricultural colleges in South Africa and to give direction to the future governance of the colleges. Grootfontein College of Agriculture presented a detailed report to the task team, reflecting on the current status of the College. The feedback from the task team reflected positively on the institution and the support that it receives from the Department of Agriculture.

The essential role of Grootfontein in the livestock industries of South Africa was reflected by the recommendations from the small stock industries to the Task Team.

Table 1: Academic staff of the Grootfontein College of Agriculture during 2007.

Animal Production
Name	Qualification	Experience	Lecturing field
Greeff H.	B.Sc. Agric. Hons.	14 years	Angora goats, mohair & nutrition
Grobbelaar P.D.*	M.Sc. Agric.	21 years	Wool production
Lee K.	B.Sc. Agric. Hons.	-	Small stock production
Mlimo R.	B.Sc. Agric. Hons.	-	Large stock production
Pretorius A.P.	Dipl. Agric.	15 years	Equine studies, Small stock practical
Snyman A.H.	B.Agric. H.O.D.	12 years	Sheep production & practical
Swart D.*	Ph.D. Agric.	14 years	Ostrich production
Van der Merwe J.H.P.	M.Sc. Agric.	28 years	Breeding, dairy & meat processing
Agricultural Management
Van der Vyver I.W.*	M.S.A.	8 years	Personnel management & Agricultural extension
Van der Walt A.S.J.	B.Sc. Agric. Hons.	14 years	Agricultural management
Pastures and Crops
Bekker A.L.*	B. Com.	16 years	Crop production
Haarhoff D.*	M.Sc. Agric.	15 years	Irrigation
Smit N.*	Ph.D. Agric.	22 years	Game farming
Van den Berg L.	M.Sc.	-	Environmental management & botany
Van Lingen M.	B.Sc. Agric.	-	Pasture science
Agricultural Technical Services
Esterhuyse P.	Mechanical Diploma	10 years	Mechanics & implements
Herrmann R.H.	Welding Diploma	10 years	Welding & metal work
Kyzer Q.	N3	10 years	Carpentry and building science

* contractors

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CHAPTER 2

HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

2.1 Higher Certificate in Agriculture

2.1.1 Aim

The general aim of this study program is to provide training for market-orientated producers in the practical application of functional knowledge, production techniques and agricultural management principles and practices.

2.1.2 Objectives

(a) To provide training in the following fields of study:

• The principles and practices of small stock management, wool and mohair production, as well as mutton production

• Principles of large stock production

• Agricultural management

• Veld and grazing management

• Principles of crop and fodder production

• Agricultural technical services - principles and techniques

• Agricultural law and personnel management

• Life skills

(b) To provide the student with functional knowledge and understanding of the subject matter and its application in the production process.

(d) To enable the student to undertake development and maintenance work at farm level.

(e) To provide the students with basic knowledge and practical skills needed for the development of their managerial abilities as market-orientated producers.

(f) To establish a coordinated interdisciplinary approach towards farming.

(g) To impart knowledge and skills and to develop attitudes necessary for understanding and appreciating the agricultural production process in relation to ecosystems and their constituent interacting components, in order to achieve optimum resource utilisation for sustained maximum agricultural production.

2.1.3 Teaching methodology

The subjects are presented as modules which are presented and examined over a certain period of time depending on the number of credits. The Higher Certificate in Agriculture consists of approximately 60 % theoretical training and 40 % practical training (Figure 1 and Figure 3).

An 80 % class attendance is required. Modules are assessed by means of written or oral examinations, tests, assignments and tutorials, or on the basis of continuous assessment. Lectures are presented in both English and Afrikaans.

A study tour was undertaken to the wool and mohair industry in Port Elizabeth. The Merino championship, as well as shearing and wool handling competitions, were also attended at the Bloemfontein Agricultural Show. Various short courses were presented by breeders’ organisations to ensure the first hand transfer of knowledge of the various breeds to the students.

The instructional program for the Higher Certificate in Agriculture is given in Table 2.

Figure 1: Grootfontein is well known for world-class training in wool production.

Table 2: SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1The Instructional Program for the Higher Certificate in Agriculture.

Year of study	Semester	Module			Credits
Year of study	Semester	Code	Title	Content	Credits
1	1	KTW111	Small Stock Production IA	Wool theory	5
		TEL111	Animal Breeding I	Breeding	5
		VOE111	Animal Nutrition I	Nutrition	5
		DGE111	Animal Health IA	Anatomy & physiology	5
		EQS110	Equine Studies I	Horse care & handling	4
		LBS111	Agricultural Management IA	Agricultural management	4
		PLK111	Botany I	Botany	4
		GRK111	Soil Science I	Soil science	5
		ENA111	Agricultural Engineering IA	Building science	5
		ENB111	Agricultural Engineering IB	Mechanics	5
		ENC111	Agricultural Engineering IC	Arc welding	5
		END110	Agricultural Engineering ID	Electricity	2
		ENE110	Agricultural Engineering IE	Fences	2
		ENF110	Agricultural Engineering IF	Windmills	2
		RKG110	Computer Use IA	Computers & programs	3
					61
1	2	KTA121	Small Stock Production IB	Angora goats	4
		KTB121	Small Stock Production IC	Sheep management	5
		DGE121	Animal Health IB	Animal health	4
		LBS121	Agricultural Management IB	Agricultural management	4
		VBS121	Veld Management I	Pasture science	4
		PBS121	Personnel Management I	Personnel management	4
		GWP121	Crop Production I	Crop production	3
		GWB121	Crop Protection I	Pest & plague control	4
		ENG121	Agricultural Engineering IG	Civil engineering	3
		ENH120	Agricultural Engineering IH	Gas welding	5
		KPW120	Small Stock Practical IA	Wool classing and shearing	10
		KPS120	Small Stock Practical IB	Sheep practical	6
		RKG120	Computer Use IB	Computers & programs	3
					59
					120

Year of study	Semester	Module			Credits
Year of study	Semester	Code	Title	Content	Credits
2	3	KTW231	Small Stock Production IIA	Wool theory	4
		KTV231	Small Stock Production IIB	Mutton sheep	4
		DGE231	Animal Health II	Diseases & control	6
		GVV231	Large Stock Production IA	Beef cattle	5
		LBS231	Agricultural Management IIA	Agricultural management	5
		LBR231	Agricultural Law Studies I	Agricultural laws	4
		VBS231	Veld Management IIA	Pasture science	5
		KPA230	Small Stock Practical IC	Angora goats	5
		KPV230	Small Stock Practical IE	SA Mutton Merino, Boer goat, Vermin control, Drakensberg cattle	7
		KPW230	Small Stock Practical IIA	Wool classing (registration)	8
		KPS270	Small Stock Practical IIB	Merino ewes	5
		GVO231	Ostrich Production I	Ostriches	2
		RKG230	Computer Use IC	Computers & programs	2
					62
2	4	TEL241	Animal Breeding II	Breeding	4
		VOE241	Animal Nutrition II	Nutrition	4
		KTA241	Small Stock Production IIC	Angora goats	6
		GVB241	Large Stock Production IB	Dairy cattle	3
		GVM241	Large Stock Production IC	Dairying	3
		GVP241	Pig Production I	Pigs	2
		LBS241	Agricultural Management IIB	Agricultural management	4
		VBS241	Veld Management IIB	Pasture science	5
		GWA241	Crop Production IIA	Cultivated pastures	5
		GWB241	Crop Production IIB	Irrigation	4
		KPB240	Small Stock Practical ID	Mohair classing	5
		KPV240	Small Stock Practical IF	Junior Dorper judging course, Dohne Merino course	6
		KPS270	Small Stock Practical IIB	Merino rams	5
		RKG240	Computer Use ID	Computers & programs	2
					58
					120

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2.2 Diploma in Agriculture

2.2.1 Aim

This instructional program aims to develop the students’ capacity for integrated decision making. The program is designed to:

a) Facilitate the integration of interdisciplinary teaching and management of production systems;

b) Allow for intensification of the theoretical knowledge base, technical skills and practical applications;

c) Provide for a degree of diversification through broadening of the subject matter base.

2.2.2 Objectives

a) To develop knowledge and proficiency in the necessary skills required for market related production in specific farming enterprises.

b) To enable students to apply innovative thinking skills, advanced technology and problem-solving abilities in the production system process.

c) To combine knowledge and skills from different subjects into a holistic approach to ensure sustainable agricultural production.

d) To teach knowledge and skills and to develop attitudes necessary for understanding and appreciating the needs and demands of an evolving agricultural environment and global challenges posed by open and competitive markets.

2.2.3 Teaching methodology

The subjects are presented as modules which are presented and examined over a certain period of time, depending on the number of credits. The Diploma in Agriculture as a whole consists of approximately 40 % theoretical training and 60 % practical training, self-study and group work. An 80 % class attendance is required. Modules are assessed by means of written or oral examinations, tests, assignments and tutorials, or on the basis of continuous assessment, project reports or seminars. Lectures are presented in both English and Afrikaans.

The production units and agricultural management courses produced seminars of a very high standard. Various academic and study tours were undertaken to amongst others the Agricultural Research Council Livestock Improvement Centre at Irene, Nampo Harvest Day, the Northern Cape and the Tsitsikamma. For the fourth consecutive year, a Grootfontein Diploma student won the John Deere Agricultural College Student of the Year competition.

The instructional program for the Diploma in Agriculture is given in Table 3.

Table 3: The Instructional Program for the Diploma in Agriculture.

Year of study	Semester	Module			Credits
Year of study	Semester	Code	Title	Content	Credits
3	5	VOE350	Animal Nutrition III	Feedlot project	3
		DPD370	Animal Production IIIA	Production units	12
		DPP350	Animal Production Practical IIIA	Large stock pregnancy testing, Small stock AI, Senior Boer goat course	12
		LBS370	Agricultural Management IIIA	Integrated farm planning	6
		LBV351	Agricultural Extension IA	Agricultural extension	6
		OMG351	Environmental Management IIIA	Environmental management	6
		RKG350	Computer Use IIA	Applied software	2
		TEL370	Animal Breeding III	Applied breeding & stud management	5
		VVW370	Meat Processing I	Meat processing	3
		SVW370	Dairy Processing I	Dairy processing	3
					58
3	6	DPD370	Animal Production IIIA	Production units	9
		DPP360	Animal Production Practical IIIB	Large stock AI, Senior Dorper judging course	8
		LBS370	Agricultural Management IIIA	Integrated farm planning	6
		LBS361	Agricultural Management IIIB	Entrepreneurship	4
		LBV361	Agricultural Extension IB	Agricultural extension	6
		OMG361	Environmental Management IIIB	Environmental management	6
		RKG360	Computer Use IIB	Applied software	2
		TEL370	Animal Breeding III	Applied breeding & stud management	5
		WBR361	Game Farming IB	Game farming	10
		VVW370	Meat Processing I	Meat processing	3
		SVW370	Dairy Processing I	Dairy processing	3
					62
					120

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2.3 Recruitment

An extensive recruitment campaign in the small stock farming areas of the country was launched during 2007 for the 2008 academic year. About 80 % of the learners that visited the career exhibitions were from the previously disadvantaged communities. The aim of the recruitment campaign was to expose learners to agriculture, more specifically to small stock production and related occupations. The biggest challenges faced during 2007 were the negative image of agriculture as a career and the lack of available funds amongst the learners from the previously disadvantaged groups.

During this campaign, 25 towns were visited and 191 schools were reached, with 43498 learners having the opportunity to find out more about the courses that Grootfontein offers.

The Master Plan to increase the number of previously disadvantaged students at the College was finalised during the year. The implementation of this Plan will ensure that an increasing number of black students are enrolled at the College. This Plan covers a number of restrictive factors, as well as suggested solutions to the problem.

A positive development during this year was that agri-businesses provided bursaries to four students. In addition, the Northern Cape Department of Education was contacted to provide bursaries to students from the Northern Cape and the first response was favourable.

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2.4 Admission

Students are admitted to the College after qualifying on a modified Swedish system. A total of 75 students were admitted for the 2007 academic year. Restrictions in the available practical facilities place a limitation on the number of students that can be admitted. However, not all the admitted students registered as some of them withdrew at the last moment.

The ratio of applications between previously disadvantaged students and white students was 44 to 53 during 2007. As the selection and admission processes continued, the ratio became less favourable towards the previously disadvantaged groups. The main reason being the poor metric results amongst previously disadvantaged individuals, reflecting the continued existence of the imbalances of the past at secondary school level.

The total number of students who registered from 2003 to 2007 is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Student numbers from 2003 to 2007.

From this figure it is evident that the student numbers, after the sharp rise from 2003 to 2006, stabilised in 2007.

Figure 3: A group of students busy with a sheep practical.

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2.5 Results

The results of the modules presented during 2007 are shown in Table 4. The students are required to pass all the modules to qualify for the Higher Certificate or Diploma in Agriculture.

Table 4: Student academic statistics for 2007.

Module	Enrolled	Passed	Pass Rate (%)	Module	Enrolled	Passed	Pass Rate (%)
KTW111	60	46	77	VBS231	56	54	96
TEL111	54	23	43	KPA230	47	47	100
VOE111	57	40	70	KPV230	48	48	100
DGE111	53	47	89	KPW230	49	49	100
EQS110	54	52	96	KPS270	49	47	96
LBS111	53	42	79	RKG230	47	47	100
PLK111	57	39	68	TEL241	47	47	100
GRK111	59	50	85	VOE241	50	50	100
ENA111	52	50	96	KTA241	47	47	100
ENB111	50	50	100	GVB241	46	45	98
ENC111	56	43	77	GVM241	46	46	100
END110	51	51	100	GVP241	46	46	100
ENE110	52	50	96	LBS241	47	47	100
ENF110	50	49	98	VBS241	46	43	93
RKG110	50	49	98	GWA241	47	47	100
KTA121	55	39	71	GWB241	46	44	96
KTB121	54	44	81	KPB240	47	47	100
DGE121	51	50	98	RKG240	45	42	93
LBS121	50	40	80	KPV240	46	46	100
VBS121	49	38	78	VOE350	30	30	100
PBS121	59	45	76	DPP350	30	30	100
GWP121	52	52	100	LBV351	30	30	100
GWB121	50	48	96	OMG351	30	30	100
ENG121	57	51	89	RKG350	30	30	100
ENH120	53	46	87	TELL370	30	30	100
KPW120	49	46	94	DPP360	30	30	100
KPS120	51	49	96	LBS361	30	30	100
RKG120	49	45	92	LBV361	30	30	100
KTW231	49	45	92	OMG361	30	30	100
KTV231	47	47	100	RKG360	30	30	100
DGE231	51	49	96	WBR361	30	30	100
GVV231	48	44	92	VVW370	30	30	100
GVO231	48	48	100	SVW370	30	30	100
LBS231	54	50	93	DPD370	30	29	97
LBR231	52	49	94	LBS370	30	30	100

The academic performance of the first year students was disappointing and only the practical modules had a satisfactory pass rate. It appears that the ability of school leavers to master certain theoretical aspects of the course is rather limited.

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2.6 Statistics for 2007

A significant increase in the number of students was experienced from 2003 to 2006, mainly as a result of the active recruitment campaigns during that time. A slight decrease in the number of students occurred during 2007. The student numbers, according to gender and population group from 2003 to 2007, are given in Table 5.

Table 5: Student numbers per gender and per population group for 2003 to 2007.

Gender	Population Group	Number per year
Gender	Population Group	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Male	Black *	13	16	21	27	31
	White	74	87	97	111	100
	Sub-total Male	87	103	118	138	131
Female	Black	8	6	7	1	6
	White	10	13	16	13	11
	Sub-total Female	18	19	23	14	17
Total	Black	21	22	28	28	37
	White	84	100	113	124	111
	TOTAL	105	122	141	152	148

* Black: African, Coloured and Indian

The number of previously disadvantaged students showed a good increase during 2007. The number of first year students per gender admitted from 2003 to 2007 is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Admission of first year students according to gender from

2003 to 2007.

A summary of the total student numbers for 2007 is given in Table 6. The number is broken down into gender and population group.

Table 6: Total student numbers per year of study (2007).

Population Group	Year of study						Total
	I		II		III		Total
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Total
Black*	15	5	11	1	5	0	31	6	37
White	30	4	49	2	21	5	100	11	111
Sub-total	45	9	60	3	26	5	131	17	148
Total	54		63		31		148

* Black: African, Coloured and Indian

Of the 97 people who applied for 2007 only 75 were admitted, but only 54 (72 %) registered as students. Table 7 gives an indication of the number of students admitted per gender and population group, as well as the number that actually registered as students.

Table 7: Students admitted versus students registered for 2007.

Gender	Population Group	Applications Admitted	New Students Registered
Male	White	42	30
	Black	13	9
	Coloured	6	6
	Sub-Total	61	45
Female	White	7	4
	Black	7	5
	Coloured	0	0
	Sub-Total	14	9
Total	White	49	34
	Black	20	14
	Coloured	6	6

C O N T E N T S

[Return]

PREFACE

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

The essential role of Grootfontein in the livestock industries of South Africa was reflected by the recommendations from the small stock industries to the Task Team.

Animal Production

Name

Agricultural Management

Pastures and Crops

Agricultural Technical Services

2.1.2 Objectives

Enrolled

Enrolled

II