MPO Training Institute gears up for the digital world

Media Statement: for immediate release

MPO MEDIA DAY

20 MAY 2020

Helene Pheiffer, manager of the MPO Training Institute, discussed the online courses launched during lockdown. Throughout this period, the institute has also geared themselves up for the digital world.

Biosecurity management

The MPO Training Institute’s first online Zoom training will focus on the biosecurity management programme. The programme forms part of one of their Agriculture Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA) projects, focusing on rural development and training of compulsory community services (CCS) veterinarians. Because of the opportunity the digital platform creates, this session has also been opened to state and private veterinarians and animal health technicians.

Dr Chris van Dijk will present the course over two sessions, on 18 and 19 June and again on 6 and7 July, and the sessions will take place on both days from 09:00 to 13:00. The programme will cover the state of biosecurity in South Africa; the risks associated with dairy and the cost of diseases; the basics of biosecurity regarding animals, people, and programmes; and the development of a biosecurity plan. It will also include an interactive panel discussion with Dr Chris van Dijk, Dr Faffa Malan, and Dr Shaun Morris. Participants will have to complete a biosecurity assignment and online assessment and receive eight continuous professional development points on completion of the programme, which is accredited by the South African Veterinary Council.

Interested parties will need to preregister for the training to receive the Zoom webinar access details and the relevant training material. The contact person for this training is Corlia Oberholzer, training and client support manager.

Online learning for farmers and farmworkers

The MPO Institute has also developed an online learning platform for farmers and farmworkers. The first course will be launched in July and is based on the dairy calf and heifer rearing, feeding, and health care programme. An online platform cannot replicate the value of face-to-face or on-farm training, but it can create new experiences and skills for a blend in training opportunities. The course will cover dairy calf and heifer health care; calf-rearing systems; hygiene and care; calf-feeding concepts; awareness of dairy calf diseases; and calf and heifer care production concepts. Random testing will take place and real-time support will be available during the presentation. Online learning provides an opportunity for accessible, convenient, flexible, and less costly training. Interested farmers can also contact Corlia Oberholzer.

Sensory cheese evaluation

Following the success of the dairy sensory evaluation course hosted in Elsenburg earlier this year, the MPO Training Institute has decided to host a two-hour webinar on the sensory evaluation of cheese on 24 June. The programme will cover the process and value of sensory evaluation and include a practical session. Attendees will be informed beforehand which cheeses to acquire to discuss the use and the taste of various cheeses during the webinar. The taste value of cheeses in various dishes will also be discussed. Kobus Mulder, the well-known South African and international judge, will present the course.

The MPO Training Institute will soon launch their media marketing campaign.