When Mari Bronkhorst first attended university, she enrolled for a chemical biology degree. At the time, she was completely unaware that there was even such a qualification as animal science. “I had no idea that animal science existed as an option when I went to university. When I [started studying] chemical biology, that’s when I discovered animal sciences.”
At Stellenbosch University, where Bronkhorst was studying, chemical biology and animal sciences students often attended the same classes. As soon as she learnt of the animal sciences degree, Bronkhorst did not hesitate to change her major. She graduated with a bachelor’s in animal sciences in 2015.
On their website, the South African Society for Animal Science specifies the field as the study of animal production and animal products. “This includes all husbandry facets of livestock species (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, ostriches and horses) and the products derived from them (meat, milk & dairy products, wool, mohair, eggs, skin & leather and feathers).”
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We asked Bronkhorst to give us some first-hand insight into animal science as someone working in the animal nutrition sector.
Could you summarise for us what it is you do?
I support clients, I am working with researchers, I do in-house RnD (research and development). I also do trials, work with factory workers and test products. My job is more factory based, so I create formulations of feed, check on raw material levels, and I also do a lot of people management.
So, what does the day-to-day of your job entail?
I’m in a very privileged position where not every day looks the same. We work on a week-to-week basis more than a day-to-day basis.
First thing in the morning, we sit down and plan. [We then] check if all the raw materials are available, check raw material prices, speak with our different teams, like our procurement team, our production team, or our distribution and sales team, to see if there are any issues. We always have team discussions to check if we are short or if there are any issues. If there are, we start with those. And we will see how quickly we can start with those early in the morning.
I also make sure that the lab is running correctly, and if the system is up to date. I meet with suppliers about three times a week, and check if there are any better options available. And of course, I check up on the latest research.
What qualification do you need for this career?
The industry is very broad and different universities offer different courses. I have a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences, and a master’s in animal nutrition from Stellenbosch University.
What kind of characteristics should one have to go into your line of work?
If you want to do animal nutrition specifically, the most important things are flexibility, and you also need to be curious. You need to want to know what’s going on; you need to want to know new research. If you go into animal nutrition, much like genetics or anything like that, you don’t really get out of the research part of it. Even if you work in the industry, you always need to keep updated with research.
You also need to be able to work well with other people because eventually you will work with clients, and you will do some people management. The animal part of it is obviously the biggest part, but you work with the farmer more than you work with actual animals.
So, those are kind of the big three; you need to be curious, you need to be flexible, and you need to have good people skills. And I think with those three things you will get where you need to be.
And of course, you need to have a good work ethic.
What advice do you have for aspiring animal nutritionists?
I suggest always do your research. There’s such a big market for animal nutrition in South Africa and globally. I was surprised at the amount of global exposure I got when I started working. South Africa doesn’t produce a lot of its own feed additives, so you must contact a lot of people across the globe. So, just go for it.
[To work in this field], unfortunately you have to study and work hard. The area of animal nutrition is so broad, but you will find somewhere you fit it. Just go to the different universities, talk to them about their courses. No two courses are exactly the same. Talk to the people in the industry, ask them about their experience.
There is a lot of opportunity in the industry and it’s easy to get in. It seems intimidating at first, but people want you to come into this industry. So, talk to everyone you get a chance to, your lecturer, companies, etc.
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