Early Life and Education
Dr. Jan du Preez, a distinguished veterinarian and notable figure in agricultural circles, passed away unexpectedly on February 12 this year. Known affectionately as Dr. Jan among his peers, he was found deceased at the age of 76 in his Pretoria home.
Academic Achievements
Dr. du Preez, born on April 19, 1948, was highly regarded in the veterinary field, particularly in the dairy industry. He held a multitude of academic qualifications, including BVSc, MMedVet (Hyg), PhD, DVSc, and postgraduate diplomas in veterinary public health and tertiary education. In 1972, he became a member of the British Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Dr. Jan du Preez: A Lifelong Learner
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Dr. du Preez pursued his third doctoral degree (Veterinary Science). Although he completed his thesis on the impact of heat stress, enzootic bovine leukosis, and mastitis on South African dairy herds, his degree was not awarded due to his supervisor’s departure from the university.
Professional Career
Dr. du Preez spent seven years in private practice in Letsitele and served as a senior lecturer and professor in veterinary public health at the University of Pretoria for a decade. Subsequently, he dedicated another ten years to research and as a senior specialist scientist at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute.
Contributions to the Dairy Industry
He played a pivotal role in establishing the Milk Producers’ Organization (MPO) Institute for Dairy Technology (IST), where he and his colleagues developed training programs for dairy producers and parlour workers over 15 years. He also managed UCK Investments, a company focused on exporting livestock, particularly to African countries.
Publications and Contributions
Dr. du Preez published extensively, with 53 scientific publications and over 600 semi-scientific publications to his name. He authored and co-authored 17 books and regularly contributed to publications such as The Dairy Mail and Veeplaas.
Legacy
At the time of his passing, Dr. du Preez was updating his renowned book, Entstowwe en die immunisering van plaasdiere, which he co-authored. Throughout his career, he delivered numerous lectures, addressed national and international congresses, and received several honorary awards.
In Memoriam
The agricultural community, especially the dairy sector, mourns the loss of Dr. Du Preez. His remarkable knowledge and insights have left an irreplaceable void.