Ludwig Boneschans
Summary
I am a veterinarian who moved directly into the poultry industry following completion of my Compulsory Community Service year, driven by a strong interest in intensive production systems and their impact at scale. I am particularly motivated by the business and operational side of production, combining animal health expertise with performance, efficiency, and commercial outcomes.
Having grown up in a developing country, I have witnessed firsthand the effects of poverty, malnutrition, and food insecurity. This experience has shaped my commitment to working in systems that play a critical role in sustainable food production and food security. I am a strong advocate for responsible antibiotic use, preventative health strategies, and data-driven management to support both productivity and long-term sustainability.
I find working at the intersection of animal health, operations, and commercial decision-making highly rewarding and am motivated by roles where technical insight contributes to wider business and societal impact.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Veterinarian
St. David's Poultry Team
03.2022 - Current
- Provide strategic advisory support on poultry health and production to multiple large-scale clients, including Moy Park, 2 Agriculture Holdings (Hooks2Sisters), Hays, Drummonds, and Cranswick, across both broiler and broiler breeder operations.
- Conduct data-driven farm performance reviews, assessing production efficiency, bird health, weights, and mortality to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
- Lead diagnostic investigations through routine and ad hoc post-mortem examinations to support disease surveillance, root-cause analysis, and corrective action planning.
- Perform independent vaccination audits (in-water, spray, and eye-drop), ensuring compliance with protocols and regulatory standards.
- Carry out biosecurity inspections and compliance assessments, including completion of EDO338 licensing requirements.
- Manage regulatory and export documentation, including export health certificates for EU trade, ensuring accuracy, traceability, and compliance with international regulations.
- Deliver stakeholder-facing consultations during farm visits, addressing disease suspicion, production underperformance, and routine monitoring requirements.
- Provide ongoing technical support to key game bird clients, including routine health checks, disease response, and best-practice guidance.
- Advise on rearing strategies, release pen management, and operational best practices to optimise bird welfare and performance outcomes.
Veterinarian
Eagle's Pride Hatchery
South Africa
01.2019 - 02.2022
- Held end-to-end responsibility for flock health and vaccination programmes across broiler breeder rearing and laying operations.
- Conducted regular operational audits and hygiene monitoring across five hatchery facilities producing approximately 3 million chicks per week, identifying non-conformities and driving corrective actions.
- Delivered technical and veterinary support to external customers, including routine diagnostics and performance troubleshooting.
- Supported two major broiler grower businesses (Eagle’s Valley Poultry and Avon Chickens), collectively processing 1.1 million chicks per week, providing health oversight and production guidance.
- Managed export certification and health declarations for international shipment of day-old chicks, ensuring compliance with importing country requirements.
- Acted as the primary liaison with government authorities, coordinating surveillance programmes across breeder, broiler, and hatchery operations.
- Held regular performance review meetings with strategic clients, providing feedback on production metrics, trends, and improvement areas.
- Delivered presentations to senior management, translating veterinary and production data into clear insights on performance, broiler weights, breeder productivity, and client issues to support decision-making.
State Veterinarian
Mokopane State Veterinary Laboratory
South Africa
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Conducted comprehensive diagnostic investigations on production animals, including post-mortem examinations, laboratory sampling, test coordination, and interpretation of diagnostic results.
- Delivered frontline clinical and advisory services to emerging farmers and underserved rural communities, providing physical examinations, treatment planning, and therapeutic interventions.
- Led large-scale vaccination programmes for both production and companion animals across rural Limpopo, supporting disease prevention and population health initiatives.
- Performed statutory disease surveillance and testing, including tuberculosis testing in buffalo and cattle, and screening for brucellosis, foot-and-mouth disease, and corridor disease.
- Supported animal welfare initiatives through voluntary clinical services for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Education
Bachelor of Science - BVSc (Veterinary Science)
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa 01.2011 - 12.2017
Skills
Poultry production management and disease surveillance
Vaccination program planning and biosecurity compliance
Data analysis, performance evaluation, and operational planning
Stakeholder and client relationship management
Regulatory compliance and export documentation
Presentation of insights to senior management for decision-making
Problem-solving and process improvement
Timeline
Veterinarian
St. David's Poultry Team
03.2022 - Current
Veterinarian
Eagle's Pride Hatchery
01.2019 - 02.2022
State Veterinarian
Mokopane State Veterinary Laboratory
01.2018 - 12.2018
Bachelor of Science - BVSc (Veterinary Science)
University of Pretoria
01.2011 - 12.2017