The utilization and management of veld, with special reference to the role of the browsing animal. 2. A comparison between the effects of continuous grazing by Angora goats and Merino sheep on veld in the central lower Karoo.

The long term effects of continuous grazing by Merino sheep and Angora goats and complete protection on short Karoo shrubveld of the Central Lower Karoo were investigated.Botanical surveys were done by means of the wheel point method. For statistical analysis the vegetation was grouped into ephemerals, grasses, Karoo shrubs and succulent shrubs each with sub-classes of palatable and unpalatable.The results showed that continuous grazing by goats at a realistic stocking rate was less harmful to the palatable perennial component of the vegetation than was continuous grazing by sheep. Complete protection over a period of 11 years resulted in a sustained improvement in the perennial palatable component, thus demonstrating the advantages of a long rest for Karooveld.Keywords: angora goats; browsers; browsing; continuous grazing; effects; goats; grasses; grazing; karoo; management; merino sheep; role; sheep; shrubs; south africa; stocking rate; utilization; vegetatio

Droughts in perspective.

nullKeywords: drought; presidential address; semi-arid savanna; south africa; vegetatio

The complemental role of dryland cultivated pastures in market-related beef production from semi-arid rangeland.

Rangeland condition is a decisive factor in determining the income/cost ratio of production hence in the profitability of any beef production enterprise. Cultivated pastures can play an important role in improving range and condition through reducing grazing pressure. The advantages and disadvantages of introducing cultivated pastures at different stages in the production system on the economic viability, and on reducing grazing pressure on semi-arid rangeland, are discussed; Rangeland condition is a decisive factor in determining the income:cost ratio of production and hence in the profitability of any beef production enterprise. By maintaining and/or improving rangeland condition, the beef producer can buffer himself against low profitability. Cultivated pastures can play an important role in improving rangeland condition through reducing grazing pressure. The inclusion of planted pasture to reduce pressure on rangelands can only succeed and be propagated if the producer is not financially worse off in the short term. The advantages and disadvantages of introducing cultivated pastures at different stages in the production system on the economic viability, and on reducing grazing pressure on semi-arid rangeland, are discussed. Research in the Central Grassland has shown cultivated pasture could be successfully employed in a supplemental role to rangeland. Furthermore, it would appear that it is economically more advantageous to use cultivated pastures for finishing cattle rather than in the pre-weaning stages.Language: EnglishKeywords: Cultivated pastures; Drylands; Grazing pressures; Semi-arid rangelands; dryland; economics; grazing; grazing pressure; rangeland condition; pasture; beef production; semi-arid rangeland; profitability; grassland; cattle; pastures; rangeland