Prof Kennedy Dzama, an Animal Breeding Scientist at the department of Animal Science, recently received the Rectors Award for Research Excellence. This very prestigious award is the highest recognition of excellence in the area of research within the University. The award is open to all fulltime lecturers and researchers and is awarded on merit for their research performance. Over the past two years, Kennedy and his team have published 20 papers in peer reviewed Journals. In addition to this two of the papers published by Kennedy and his associates during 2009 made it to the top rankings in Meat Science and in Livestock Science. – photo supplied by Stellenbosch Centre for Photographic Services.

Mapiye, C., Chimonyo, M., Dzama, K., Raats, J.G. & Mapekula, M. 2009. Opportunities for improving Nguni cattle production in the smallholder farming systems of South Africa. Livestock Science, Volume 124, Issue 1-3, Pages 196-204 (ranked No. 4 in Top 25 Hottest articles in Livestock Science, July – September 2009)
Muchenje, V., Dzama, K., Chimonyo, M., Strydom, P. E. & Raats, J. G. 2009. Relationship between stress responsiveness and meat quality in three cattle breeds. Meat Science: 81: 653 –657 (ranked No. 2 in Top 25 hottest articles in Meat Science, January – March 2009)