Management of Geigeria infested veld in Griqualand West

Abstract

Geigeria poisoning (vermeersiekte) has been a serious problem to stock farmers in Griqualand West for more than a century. As yet no promising method of combating the disease by veterinary treatment or supplementary feeding has been evolved. Over the past six years however, various co-operative grazing trials have been laid out on farms in Griqualand West and in all cases geigeria poisoning has been practically eliminated. This paper outlines the main principles governing the veld management systems recommended for the control of geigeria poisoning.

Keywords: grazing|deteriorations|soils|stocking rates|botanical compositions|stocking densities|supplementary feeding|grazing periods|management|veterinary treatments|farming|veld|poisonings|Griqualand|livestock|infestations|diseases|treatments