We are beyond thrilled to have sponsored the Onderstepoort (OP) Feedlot Challenge students with ARCO 360 branded scrubs.
Every year, the 5th-year class at OP is divided into teams of around 20 people who are all responsible for taking care of sheep in a mini feedlot situation. This year, we will be looking after 10 South African Mutton Merinos over the course of 2 months. Over this period, we will be responsible for all decisions and practices related to the health and production of our sheep.
This challenge is an integral part of the veterinary curriculum for several reasons:
- Veterinarians play a crucial role in advising farmers on enhancing animal health and production. Understanding production systems beyond textbooks is vital for future veterinarians to offer optimal advice to clients. By managing their own feedlot, students apply theoretical knowledge, enriching their understanding in a practical setting.
- With the agricultural sector rapidly expanding, the number of veterinarians must grow proportionately to care for production animals effectively. The challenge aims to instill a passion for production animals among OP’s future veterinarians, contributing to meeting industry demands.
- The challenge fosters teamwork skills, offering both benefits and challenges associated with collaborative projects. Participants learn valuable skills from one another, enhancing their capabilities.
What the group’s coordinator had to say about the scrub sponsorship:
“The scrubs provide us with an appropriate uniform that we can wear when we start with our clinical rotations from June this year. The scrubs are worn for safety and comfort. They also make it easier for clients and staff to identify us in the workplace. This sponsorship is very important to us as it will help us get ready to enter the workforce and dress appropriately. It also relieves some of the financial stress on students to purchase the clothing themselves.”
Wishing this fantastic team of students all the best on this amazing challenge
