Estimates of carrying capacity and production from herbage yields and grazing days

Abstract

The reliable prediction, from herbage yields, of the carrying capacity of grazing can be of value in farm planning. In a trial comprising 27 treatment combinations of fertilization and stocking rate under two systems of grazing, it appeared that animal production per unit area can be predicted from herbage yields and from grazing days. It was apparent, however, that the method, and consequent intensity, of utilization influenced the angle of the regression line. Furthermore, it appeared that herbage yield allowed a fair estimate to be made of the carrying capacity provided stocking rates were at an optimum level.

Keywords: carrying capacities|production|herbage yields|grazing|predictions|farm planning|treatments|fertilisation|stocking rates|grazing systems|methods|veld|optimisations