I was a Specialist Scientist at the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development of the North West Province. My research fields were the following:

• DEVELOPMENT OF A LONG-TERM MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE (NWP)
  Monitoring of the veld was done in 28 veld types in the NWP. Important research information on the monitoring frequency, soil quantification, the use of the CANOCO package in habitat and grass analysis, and study area specific extension advisories was deducted One of the most important results from this project was the development of degradation index values for individual species of the NWP.
• THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LAND-USES (COMMERCIAL, COMMUNAL, AND THE MOLOPO RESERVE) ON THE GRASS SPECIES COMPOSITION, BASAL COVER, GRASS PRODUCTION, AND GRAZING CAPACITY.
  This area is known as the black hole with regards to vegetation information. The contribution of this project with regards to the effect of land-use on especially the grass cover was extremely valuable. A part from studying the effect of the land-use on the mentioned aspects, important information on the climate, degradation, bush thickening, as well as the ability of the area to recover after degradation was also gathered.
• DETERMINING GRAZING CAPACITY NORMS SCIENTIFICALLY FOR THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE
  In the past only one grazing capacity figure was used for a specific area. With this project I was able to identify nine grazing capacity figures for a specific area (3 x rainfall scenarios (above average, normal, below average) and 3 x veld conditions (good, medium, poor). The figures identified are thus more applicable for a specific scenario. Grazing capacity figures from this project were also incorporated in the National Grazing Capacity Map.
• GRAZING CAPACITY NORMS FOR THE LIVESTOCK IMPROVEMENT CENTRES (LIC’S) OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DARD) OF THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE
  This project specifically concentrated on the five farms of the department of Agriculture to ensure that sound management practices were adhered to.
• EVALUATION OF CONTINUOUS GRAZING OF NGUNI CATTLE ON GRASS SPECIES COMPOSITION, GRASS PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION PERCENTAGE OF THE GRASS COMPONENT
  This project was important especially in the light of climate smart agriculture. Nguni cattle is an indigenous breed and often used by communal farmers. It was important to simulate a communal farming set-up to show the farmers what the effect of the specific breed and specific management practice on the veld is.
• THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT VELD MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN A WEANER CALF PRODUCTION SYSTEM ON VELD CONDITION AND AVAILABLE GRAZING OF THE CYMBOPOGON-THEMEDA-VELD IN THE POTCHEFSTROOM DISTRICT
  A communal management practice versus a three- and six camp management practices were tested in this project. The effect of these practices on grass species composition, basal cover, grass production and grazing capacity was tested. This project rendered important results that can be used by agricultural mangers and politicians especially for justifying the survival of the communal systems.

READ CV FOR BIO