Effective utilization of the valley bushveld

Abstract

The development of the arid Valley Bushveld to its full potential is discussed. Boer goats and Dorpers select forage of different quality within this veld type. In addition, Dorpers are chiefly grazers while Boer goats are browsers. The results show that more browsers can be maintained per unit area than grazers and that the productivity of the browse can easily be overestimated. It appears further that the stocking rate corresponding to maximum production per animal is closer to the biological optimum than that at maximum production per hectare. Through multiple utilization of the Valley Bushveld, overall production per unit area can be significantly increased.

Keywords: effective utilisations|Valley Bushveld|arid environments|development|goats|sheep|foraging biases|veld types|grazers|browsers|productivity|stocking rates|stocking densities|production