We pay tribute to one of the founder members of the GSSA, Dr Piet Roux, who passed away on 30 June 2021. Most of his life was dedicated to understanding Karoo ecology and he was an inspiration to many young scientists and farmers. Our hearts go out to his family. Henk Smit has written an insightful article on the eco-efficiency of irrigated dairy pastures in South Africa. This study identifies opportunities to pro-duce climate-smart dairy products in South Africa and is definitely worth the read! Make sure to scan the QR-codes for the two published articles on this subject. Who would have ever thought it is possible to “potty train” a cow? Read all about exactly how and why researchers of the University of Auckland have engaged in such a “crazy” study. A new national park is on its way for the Eastern Cape and the City of Cape Town is implementing a “No Mowing” policy. We celebrate the “Tree of the year” and also learn why tree planting schemes can destroy rangelands and damage pastoral livelihoods.