This issue focuses on how genetics, data and traceability are changing livestock breeding in South Africa. The main message in several articles is that genomics complements phenotypic (performance) recording and does not replace it. The two feature articles by Dr Bobbie van der Westhuizen make the case for traceability as risk management and market access. In 2025 foot-and-mouth disease cases reached 24,400, and 152,033 animals were stolen in 2024/25. SA Stud Book?s answer is IDTrax, which links to MeatMetrics for measurement and ASM Assured for the plate, so that every animal has one record from birth to the carcass. IDTrax now holds 331,449 animals on 1,735 farms. The issue also covers SA Stud Book?s work at the World Jersey Congress, the Dohne Merino World Conference and the Wagyu World Congress. It reports on the 2026 Trailblazer event in Bloemfontein and congratulates Dr Japie van der Westhuizen on his SASAS Gold Medal.
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Content in this issue
* Gold Medal for former Stud Book manager (Dr Japie van der Westhuizen, SASAS)
* Stamboek at the 2026 Wagyu World Congress (genetic evaluations; 4,595 Wagyu genotyped)
* Current status of genomic integration in SA sheep (6,221 sheep genotyped across 11 breeds)
* The Northern Cape Veld Ram Project (history, Prieska Veld Ram Club meeting)
* What happened in the Jersey world? (World Jersey Congress; phenotypic and genomic data used together)
* The Dohne Merino World Conference 2026 (genetic progress, genomics, disease resistance, IDTrax)
* 2026 Trailblazer (regional winners, double-gold awards, industry showcase)
* The new buzzword: Traceability (six lenses, IDTrax)
* Taking hands across the value chain (IDTrax, MeatMetrics, ASM Assured)
* Read all about it / Luister en Kyk (articles, radio and video links)
