The development of a method for assessing veld condition in three grassveld types in Natal.

A method for assessing the condition of veld has been developed in the Dry Tall Grassveld, Moist Tall Grassveld and Highland Sourveld of Natal. The method is based on Dyksterhuis' Quantitative Climax Method which has been modified to suit the sub-climax nature of this veld by the incorporation of three categories of plants: Decreaser species which decline in abundance with bad management; Increaser I species which increase with underutilization; and Increaser II species which increase with over-utilization. In addition, this modified method allows for a deduction of marks for veld whose basal cover falls below that of veld in its optimum condition. In all three types there was a close relationship between the abundance of Themeda triandra and the veld condition. It is probable therefore, that this single measure can be used to forecast veld condition in these veld types.Keywords: abundance; basal cover; botany; condition; decline; decreaser species; dry tall grassveld; grassveld; highland sourveld; increaser i species; increaser ii species; management; method; moist tall grassveld; natal; over-utilization; sourveld; south africa; themeda; themeda triandra; underutilization; veld condition; veld type

The evaluation of pastures and grazing management in terms of livestock production.

Grazing research in South Africa has been largely pasture oriented and consequently there is still a need to fully evaluate many of our more important pasture types and grazing management practices in terms of livestock production so that efficient pasture-based feeding systems can be constructed. In order to do this it is necessary to design grazing trials in which the main emphasis is on the animal. An important consideration in trials of this kind is the control of experimental error by careful selection and blocking of animals, applying effective animal weighing procedures and manipulating certain aspects of experimental design. In addition, quality and quantity of herbage consumed should be measured, while the use of continuous grazing and a variable stocking rate as research tools may be particularly effective in certain circumstances. Information provided by these techniques in well integrated field trials for pasture evaluation in terms of livestock production is likely to be of great general value to the livestock industry as a whole.Keywords: continuous grazing; feeding trial; grazing; grazing management; production; south africa; stocking rat

The veld condition score: An evaluation in situations of known past management.

The method of assessing veld condition which has been developed in Natal by Foran has given a reasonable separation of the veld in ten experimental paddocks which varied widely in condition both from the broad ecological viewpoint and in relation to their agricultural value for grazing animals. There are still, however, aspects which give rise to concern and it would be advisable to develop the method further before its adaptation for general use.Keywords: grazing; method; natal; south africa; stocking rate; technique; veld; veld condition; veld condition scor

A comparison of grazing management techniques with sheep on Ladino clover pastures.

A comparison of grazing management techniques revealed that, in general, lamb performance under a continuous grazing system was superior to that measured under a rotational grazing system. Lamb performance was also superior at moderate to low levels of pasture dry matter availability using a variable stocking rate ("put and take") continuous grazing system compared to the fixed stocked continuous system. The analysis of lamb performance during periods of uniform dry matter availability revealed a decline in mass gain as the season progressed. There is evidence to suggest that the decline is partly attributable to quantity/quality changes in the pasture and partly to physiological changes in the lambs.Keywords: availability; clover; continuous grazing; dry matter; grazing; grazing management; kokstad agricultural research station; ladino; lambs; mass; pasture; performance; rotational grazing; sheep; south africa; stocking rate; technique

Long term effects of burning and mowing on tall grassveld in Natal: Dry matter production.

Veld burning treatments applied annually, biennially or triennially during the first week of August or after the first substantial spring rains considerably reduced herbage yields during the season which followed the burn, but had no long term effect on the productivity of the veld. Long term effects did, however, result from differences in summer utilization. Where veld was not cut for hay in summer, it developed a potential to produce higher yields than veld which was cut during summer season. This increased production potential is, however, accompanied by changes in the nature of the sward which in many respects are undesirable.Keywords: burning; dry matter production; hay; herbage yield; mowing; natal; production; production potential; productivity; south africa; tall grassveld; treatments; ukulinga research station; utilization; veld burning; yiel