Programme
Overview
The Diploma in Animal Production is designed to provide quality education, training, and research in the field of animal agriculture.
The programme develops skilled graduates through a balanced combination of theoretical knowledge, practical training, and a year-long work-integrated learning experience.
It equips students with competencies in key areas such as livestock production, animal nutrition, breeding, and pasture management.
This comprehensive and hands-on approach ensures that graduates are well prepared for diverse career opportunities in farming, agribusiness, research, extension services, and related sectors.
The programme adopts an interdisciplinary approach that integrates teaching, research, and community engagement to address critical challenges in sustainable animal production and food security.
Furthermore, it is aligned with industry needs, producing innovative, adaptable graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to the agricultural economy while also supporting livestock producers and stakeholders through effective knowledge dissemination.
Why Choose
This Qualification
A key sector in South Africa
Livestock, pig and poultry production is one of the most important sectors in agriculture, contributing to food security, employment, and the economy.
Science-based animal production
Study the science behind livestock systems, including:
❖ Animal breeding & genetics.
❖ Animal nutrition & feeding.
❖ Growth, reproduction & physiology.
❖ Animal health, and processing of animal food products.
What you will work with
Gain skills in production systems involving:
o Cattle, sheep & goats
o Pigs & poultry
o Milk, meat, eggs, wool & other animal products
Learn through practical experience
We are committed in uplifting rural communities through skills training, mentorship and business incubation.
Who Should Apply?
This programme is ideal if you:
o Love working with animals
o Enjoy hands-on practical learning
o Are interested in farming & agribusiness
o Care about animal welfare & sustainability
o Are curious about science and production systems
Department
Lecturers
NQF Level 6
What You WIll Learn
Year 1: Foundation Skills
Build a strong base in essential academic and practical skills:
• Effective communication and teamwork
• Numeracy and problem-solving skills
• Digital and computer literacy
• Academic writing and study skills
• Introduction to animal husbandry practices (handling, identification, basic care)
• Safe use of livestock handling equipment
Year 2: Applied Animal Production/span>
Develop hands-on expertise and technical knowledge in animal production systems:
• General livestock management and production techniques
• Animal nutrition and feeding strategies
• Breeding and reproduction management
• Processing of animal food products
• Animal health, welfare, and disease control
• Farm infrastructure, handling systems, and equipment use
• Record-keeping and production data management
• Research proposal development, conducting research and communicating research outcomes
Year 3: Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
Gain real-world industry experience and career-ready skills:
• Practical on-farm training in commercial production systems.
• Application of animal production knowledge in real settings.
• Problem-solving in livestock production environments.
• Professional work ethic and industry exposure.
• Farm management and decision-making skills.
What Skills
Will You Gain
Core Professional Skills
• Communication & workplace interaction
• Numeracy for farm calculations
• Digital & computer literacy
• Academic reading & writing
• Teamwork & collaboration
• Problem-solving & decision-making
• Time management & adaptability
Livestock Management Skills
• Animal handling & restraint
• Ear tagging, branding & weighing
• Identifying and treating sick animals
• Biosecurity & farm hygiene
• Parasite control (internal & external)
• Breed identification
• Body condition scoring
• Use of livestock handling equipment
Feed & Pasture Management
• Feed formulation & ration mixing
• Grazing & fodder flow planning
• Carrying capacity & stocking rate
• Veld condition assessment
• Pasture establishment & maintenance
• Hay & silage production
• Fence & grazing land management
Poultry Production
• Egg collection, grading & storage
• Incubation & hatching
• Chick grading & brooding
• Broiler & layer farm management
• Hatchery operations
Pig Production
• Sow & gilt breeding management
• Heat detection & artificial insemination
• Farrowing & piglet care
• Weaning & piglet processing
• Disease identification & treatment
• Sow unit management
Cattle & Dairy Management
• Calving assistance & calf rearing
• Milking & machine hygiene
• Mastitis testing & treatment
• Dehorning & dry cow management
• Feedlot & beef production systems
Sheep & Wool Production
• Sheep shearing
• Wool classing & sorting
• Feedlot sheep monitoring
• Breeding stock selection
Other Livestock Skills
• Basic fish farming
• Meat & milk handling and processing
Farm Infrastructure & Business Skills
• Construction & maintenance of animal facilities
• Farm business planning & management
• Production planning & breeding plans
• Applied research in animal production
Admission
Requirements
National Senior Certificate or equivalent
• Admission Points 24
• Compulsory subjects:
• Mathematics Level 3 or Mathematical Literacy Level 4
• English Level 3
• Any TWO Science subjects at Level 3 e.g
• Physical Sciences
• Life Sciences
• Agricultural Sciences
• Geography
NCV a pass for fundamental and vocational subjects in Primary Agriculture
Career
Opportunities
Graduates with a diploma in Animal Production can pursue a wide range of practical and industry-focused careers, including:
Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Goat, and Pig Production Farm Manager
Agricultural Entrepreneur (owning or managing livestock enterprises)
Feedlot manager
Wool and Mohair Broker
Broiler and Layer Production Farm Manager
Hatchery Supervisor or Manager
Milk Processing Company Technician
Animal Nutrition Laboratory Technician
Research Technician in animal production or breeding
Sales Agent for Feed Companies
Sales Agent for Animal Health Companies
Farmer Training and Extension Officer
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is a compulsory practical training component of the Diploma in Animal Production where students are placed in real commercial and research farming environments to gain hands-on industry experience.
Students are exposed to a wide range of production systems, including dairy farms, beef stud farms, feedlots, sheep farms, wool processing companies, piggeries, hatcheries, layer and broiler farms, aquaculture farms, and livestock research facilities.
This practical exposure allows students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, develop professional skills, and understand modern livestock production systems at scale.
In some cases, students may also be placed in international farming enterprises, broadening their experience and global industry exposure.
WIL plays a critical role in preparing graduates for employment by ensuring they are work-ready, experienced, and confident in diverse animal production environments.
Industry
Links and Partnerships
Teaching and learning are enriched through strong industry partnerships with organisations such as the South African Poultry Association, Mohair South Africa, and the South African Pork Producers Organisation, among others, ensuring that students gain relevant, up-to-date knowledge and exposure to real-world practices in animal production.