The Science of the Veld: A Day in the Life of a South African Animal Scientist
The alarm on Dr. Thabo Mokoena’s bedside table chirps at 04:30, a time when the rest of Pretoria is still cocooned in silence. For an Animal Scientist specialising in ruminant nutrition, the day doesn't begin in a sleek office, but rather where the red dust of the Highveld meets the morning frost. As he pulls on his sturdy leather boots and grabs a thermal flask of coffee, Thabo reflects on the path that led him here. In a country where the job market is incredibly tight—with often only three or four specialist roles advertised nationwide at any given time—he knows he is one of the fortunate ones to be practicing his passion.
06:00 – Fieldwork and Physiology
By daybreak, Thabo is on-site at a commercial research farm just outside Potchefstroom. The air is crisp, and the lowing of Bonsmara cattle provides the soundtrack to his first task: metabolic monitoring. He isn't just checking if the cattle look healthy; he is analysing the efficacy of a new drought-resistant feed programme he spent months developing. He moves with a practiced ease between the pens, taking blood samples and recording weights. The work is physically demanding and requires a sharp eye to spot subtle changes in animal behaviour that data alone might miss.
09:30 – The Laboratory Grind
By mid-morning, the sun has begun to bake the landscape, and Thabo retreats to the farm’s satellite laboratory. Here, the "scientist" half of his title takes centre stage. He must organise the morning’s samples and begin the long process of protein analysis. This is where the reality of the South African context hits; a sudden bout of load shedding threatens the temperature-sensitive reagents. Thabo quickly coordinates with the farm manager to switch over to the backup generators, a routine frustration that requires constant adaptability. He meticulously logs his findings into a database, knowing that his work contributes to a national average salary of roughly R37,919 per month—a respectable figure, but one that reflects the high level of responsibility and technical expertise required in this niche field.
13:00 – Data, Dollars, and Diet Formulation
Lunch is a quick sandwich eaten over a laptop. Thabo spends his afternoon running simulations on feed-cost optimisations. With the price of maize and soya fluctuating wildly on the global market, South African farmers rely on Animal Scientists to keep their operations viable. He works on a complex spreadsheet, trying to balance the nutritional requirements of a dairy herd with the harsh economic realities of the agricultural sector. It is a high-stakes puzzle; a 1% error in his formulation could result in a massive loss in milk yield or, worse, a nutritional deficiency that compromises the health of hundreds of animals.
15:30 – The Stakeholder Session
The latter part of the day involves a meeting with a group of emerging farmers. This is the part of the job Thabo finds most rewarding. He has to translate complex physiological concepts into practical, actionable advice. He explains how to manage grazing cycles to prevent overgrazing of the veld, helping them realise that sustainable farming is the only way to survive the increasingly frequent El Niño cycles. There is a sense of triumph when he sees a farmer’s eyes light up as they understand how a small change in mineral supplementation can drastically improve their calving rate.
18:00 – Reflection under the Acacia
As Thabo drives back towards the city, the sky streaked with the bruised purples and oranges of a South African sunset, he feels the weight of the day’s fatigue. The career of an Animal Scientist is not for everyone; it is a blend of high-level biochemistry, dirty boots, and a constant battle against the elements and economic volatility. Because the market is so small, there is a constant pressure to remain at the top of one’s game, continually upskilling to stay relevant in a field with limited vacancies.
The biggest lesson Thabo has learned is that science in South Africa cannot exist in a vacuum. To be successful, one must understand the land, the people, and the precarious balance of the ecosystem. He isn't just managing animals; he is safeguarding the nation’s food security. It is a heavy mantle, but as he pulls into his driveway, he wouldn't trade the smell of the rain on the dry earth or the sight of a thriving herd for any corporate corner office.
Are you built for a career in Animal Science?
The path of an Animal Scientist requires a unique blend of analytical brilliance and practical resilience. With a competitive job market and high technical demands, knowing your strengths is the first step toward success.
Take our comprehensive Career Assessment today to see if you have the profile to thrive in South Africa’s agricultural and scientific sectors.
Start Your Assessment