4. The development of a production system for beef animals on Cenchrus ciliaris pasture

Abstract

The results obtained in the first season of a five-year project to develop a production system for a breeding herd of beef animals, are presented. The trial areas consisted of 30 ha of Cenchrus ciliaris pasture growing under dryland conditions in the Northern Transvaal. The pasture provided 8 500 grazing days for 30 cows and their calves. In addition 80,7 tonnes of hay were made of which 42,4 tonnes were fed to the cows in the winter. Bull calves gained 0,826 kg per head daily and heifer calves gained 0,777 kg.

Keywords: beef production|development|production|animals|pastures|northern Transvaal|Gauteng Province|dryland conditions|grazing periods|calves|hay|feeding|winter|growth|pasture management|veld management