The utilization and management of veld, with special reference to the role of the browsing animal. 3. The role of the browser in the bushveld of the Eastern Cape.

The role of the goat in the development and utilization of the optimum production potential of the bushveld regions of the Eastern Cape is discussed. It is important to distinguish between two types of bushveld: (1) Valley Bushveld and (2) dry thornveld. In the Valley Bushveld the emphasis lies primarily on preservation but at the same time achieving effective utilization of the valuable shrub component of the vegetation. These objectives are achieved by employing goat farming as the primary enterprise. In the dry thornveld the main objectives are the effective utilization of the grass component and the control of encroaching Acacia karroo. The full production potential of the thornveld areas can be achieved with cattle farming as the primary enterprise and with goats playing a secondary role.Keywords: acacia karroo; browsers; browsing; bushveld; cattle; eastern cape; goats; grasses; management; objectives; production potential; role; south africa; thornveld; utilization; valley bushveld; vegetatio

Animal production off veld: Introduction.

nullKeywords: afrikaans; animal production; eastern cape; research; south africa; vel

The development of the animal production potential of the dry grass bush communities of the Eastern Cape.

The dry grass bush communities of the Eastern Cape are comprehensive forage sources and the development of the animal production potential is discussed. Two clearly defined forage sources are available which make it imperative to include browsers as well as grazers in the animal production system. Guidelines to the multiple use of the available vegetation are given.Keywords: afrikaans; animal production; botany; browsers; eastern cape; forage; grasses; grazers; model; production potential; south africa; vegetatio

Star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Harl.) In the Eastern Cape.

The growth and production of star grass in the coastal belt north east of East London, and the live mass production of tollies on this pasturage over a period of four years are discussed. The period of maximum production takes place from January to the end of February, after which it drops sharply. A live mass gain of 998 kg/ha is obtained at an optimum stocking rate of 9,06 tollies/ha. The most profitable stocking rate was calculated at 7,83 tollies/ha with a calculated live mass gain of 979 kg/ha. The calculated profit/ha at the most profitable stocking rate is R155.Keywords: afrikaans; cynodon nlemfuensis; east london; eastern cape; grass; grasses; growth; live mass gain; maximum production; optimum stocking rate; production; south africa; star grass; stocking rat

The production potential of the Eastern Cape Valley Bushveld.

The Valley Bushveld has an accumulated fodder reserve of which only a small percentage is really available to the grazing animal for production purposes. Results indicate that to increase the production potential of browse any utilization program should be constructed around long rest periods. However, grasses make an important contribution to the utilizable material and play an important role with regard to livestock nutrition. Viewed in terms of animal production the combination of grass plus browse presents a large potential to increase production per unit area.Keywords: afrikaans; animal production; browse; eastern cape; grass; grasses; grazing; livestock; nutrition; production; production potential; role; south africa; utilization; valley bushvel

Veld management in the semi-arid bush-grass communities of the Eastern Cape.

Ecologically and economically the most acceptable way of using the vegetation in these ecosystems is to stock with grazers and browsers to utilise both the herbaceous and the woody plants. The major factor limiting primary production is a low and erratic moisture supply. Management to ensure the most efficient use of the incoming precipitation is outlined. The highly variable rainfall emphasised the need to provide a fodder reserve to combat drought and the need to stock the grazers and browsers within the grazing and browsing capacities. For the herbaceous component, resting a third of the total area is advocated to provide adequate rest and the drought fodder reserve. The resting requirements of the woody component are given. The calculation of the grazing capacity and the browsing capacity is outlined. They are computed according to the botanical composition of the herbaceous component and the botanical composition and availability of the woody component. Optimum periods of stay and absence are given for both rotational grazing and browsing. It is important that cattle be the predominant grazer and that a ratio of 1 beast to 3 sheep not be exceeded. Multi-camp systems are advised. However, the layout must ensure that the minimum adverse effect on the environment due to animal concentration occurs and that fence lines must be aligned along vegetation boundaries to minimise area selective grazing and browsing.Keywords: botanical composition; browsing; browsing capacity; cattle; composition; drought; eastern cape; ecosystems; grazers; grazing capacity; multi-camp systems; precipitation; primary production; rotational grazing; selective grazing; semi-arid; sheep; south africa; variable rainfall; vegetation; veld management; woody plant

Range monitoring in South Africa: a broad perspective.

Defines range monitoring as regular surveillance to establish whether properties of the range are changing. The object of such monitoring is therefore to establish whether temporal changes are taking place in response to conditions being imposed on a system. Where these conditions involve management, monitoring allows an evaluation of the management practices being imposed and an objective means of changing them when they are unsuccessful; Range monitoring is defined, in the context of this paper, as regular surveillance to establish whether properties of the range are changing. The objective of such monitoring is therefore to establish whether temporal changes are taking place in response to conditions being imposed on a system. Where these conditions involve management, monitoring allows an evaluation of the management practices being imposed and an objective means of changing them when they are unsuccessful. The procedure adopted for monitoring range will vary according to the interest group concerned. We conclude that whatever the objective of the particular interest group, monitoring is essential to evaluate successes or failures of any management strategy adopted. It also provides an objective means of adapting such strategies should they fail.Language: EnglishKeywords: Monitoring goals; Range condition assessments; Resource conservation; range condition assessment; range monitoring; monitoring; context; temporal changes; change; response; management strategy; south africa; botan

The national grazing strategy of the Republic of South Africa: Objectives, achievements and future challenges.

The White Paper on Agricultural Policy, tabled in May 1984, made reference to the alarming deterioration of natural rangelands and led to the drawing up of the National Grazing Strategy (NGS), released to parliament in May 1985, which was endorsed by the Department of Agriculture and accepted in its entirety by the Government. The NGS committed authorities to reassess approaches to rangeland utilization in South Africa and to achieve a number of clearly-defined goals within a specified time frame. It is proposed that future implementation of the NGS should be augmented by some important second phase actions; Over the past few years various measures have been applied to address the problem of the retrogression of southern African rangelands. However, it has become apparent that many of these measures were ad hoc and not part of a long-term strategy aimed at fostering effective management of the rangeland resources. The White Paper on Agricultural Policy, tabled in May 1984, made reference to the alarming deterioration of natural rangelands and led to the drawing up of the National Grazing Strategy (NGS), released to Parliament in May 1985, which was endorsed by the Department of Agriculture and accepted in its entirety by the Government. The NGS committed authorities to reassess approaches to rangeland utilization in South Africa and to achieve a number of clearly-defined goals within a specified time frame. The implementation of the NGS has been carefully monitored. Despite some progress, few of the goals set have actually been achieved. However, various problems have arisen such as the need to: encourage the cooperation of all range users, develop informed public opinion, increase manpower and establish priorities, all of which must be taken into account when future rangeland strategies are devised. These strategies also need to recognize the dichotomy that exists between programmes aimed at the development of certain industries and those aimed at resource conservation. It is proposed that future implementation of the NGS should be augmented by some of the following important second phase actions: (i) The strategy should be converted into a policy to be applied to all Departmental institutions, (ii) policy makers and politicians must accept liability and must take the lead in the application of stringent measures aimed at agricultural resource conservation and utilization.Language: EnglishKeywords: Agricultural policies; Grazing; National Grazing Strategy; Natural rangelands; South Africa; agricultural policy; management; rangeland; rangeland utilization; resource conservation; grazing strategy; retrogression; utilization; conservation; rangelands; strategies; white paper; policies; agriculture; goal

The effect of defoliation on Portulacaria afra.

Defoliation is essential in order to increase the production potential of Portulacaria afra. Results indicate that defoliation intensity should range between 25% and 50% and that the season of defoliation is particularly important in maintaining the high production of the species. A relatively low level and rate of production and initiation of leaves and shoots respectively is recorded for P. afra.Keywords: afrikaans; defoliation; eastern cape; portulacaria afra; production potential; south africa; uitenhage distric

Use of multivariate techniques to identify vegetation units and monitor change on a livestock production system in a semi-arid savanna of the eastern Cape.

Species composition data of the grass layer were determined from point surveys along permanently demarcated transects. These data were separated into vegetation units using multivariate techniques. The repeatability of this classification was tested on data collected over a period of time. The results indicate that classification based on composition data collected from a single sampling period was adequate for practical purposes provided certain precautions were taken. Change in vegetation was assessed by ordering sites from repeated measurements and tracing site trajectories through ordination space. The trends along the axes were strongly correlated with assessed condition score.Keywords: adelaide research station; benchmarks; botany; eastern cape; grasses; livestock; ordination; point surveys; repeatability; sampling; savanna; site trajectories; south africa; species composition; techniques; transects; trends; vegetation units; veld conditio