Why so little progress with improved pastures?

Abstract

An attempt is made to elucidate the very slow progress made with improved pastures in South Africa. It is postulated that this disappointing progress has been due mainly to an overrating of the value of veld, with its limitations of low yield and poor palatability. The resultant concentration of research on veld management has not allowed for adequate work on improved pastures, although these pastures have frequently given three- to five-fold as much production as veld. The failure to recognize the pasture legume as a cheap source of nitrogen, has possibly been a key factor contributing to the lack of success with improved pastures. Complete replacement of veld with improved pastures using conventional pasture establishment practices is often considered more practical than sod-seeding in most areas. Slow application of new findings by research workers and farmers and the unavailability of seed of many important cultivars, has contributed to the disappointing rate of progress.

Keywords: pastures|improvements|veld|yields|palatabilities|veld management|production|legumes|nitrogen|replacements|farmers|seeds|cultivars|plant species