Influence on a North-Eastern Sandy Highveld sward of winter utilization by sheep

Abstract

North-Eastern Sandy Highveld was utilized selectively by sheep grazing alone in winter with a supplementary lick. Winter utilization in four consecutive years had no detrimental effect on production, cover or seed production but care should be exercised in recommending this practice because of the tendency to start "winter" grazing in the critical months and to continue grazing into spring.

Keywords: influences|Highveld|swards|winter habitat uses|sheep|selective grazing|supplementary feeding|production|farming|grass cover|seed production|grazing|autumn|spring|Ermelo|Transvaal|Gauteng Province|stocking rates|species lists