The value of Smuts finger grass for beef production

Abstract

Veld on three divergent soil series, was subjected to different degrees of intensification in the form of soil preparation, fertilization and establishment of different pasture grasses. These treatments were evaluated by determining the mass increases of year-old oxen, the number of grazing days and the herbage production. The highest mass increases, grazing days and herbage production, were obtained on the high nitrogen-fertilized Smuts finger grass and the Coastcross II that were established on the ploughed areas. As far as the soil series are concerned, the Glendale and the Williamson series performed better in terms of the three parameters than the Gelykvlakteseries did. The highest income over fertilizer cost i.e. R244,55/ha, was obtained from Smuts finger grass on the ploughed area. This treatment together with the Smuts finger grass on the tilled area and the Coastcross II, had a grazing capacity of approximately 1,5ha/LSU per annum.

Keywords: veld|finger grass|beef production|soils|fertilisation|pastures|treatments|production|herbage production|grazing|nitrogen|coastcross|value systems|grazing capacities|incomes