The potential for dryland planted pastures in the Free State region.

Abstract

The potential for expanding planted pastures in the Free State region is investigated. The potential is described in terms of rainfall, available soil and the profitability of planted pastures in comparison with veld, wheat and maize.In terms of rainfall and available soil there is a substantial potential for planted pastures in the Free State region. It is concluded that it is economically not justified to plough up veld and replace it with a planted pasture. Furthermore, the economy of particularly grass pastures seems to be dubious, especially with average and below average management. Dryland lucerne, utilised by woolled sheep an dairy cows, and sorghum, utilised by dairy cows seem to be economically viable.

Keywords: cows; dryland pasture; free state; grasses; land-use; lucerne; management; pastures; profitability; sheep; sorghum; south africa; wheat; woolled sheep