Short-term effects of cattle-to-sheep ratio and stocking rate on patch grazing in sour grassveld

Abstract

The short-term effects of stocking rate (AUE ha^-1) and cattle-to-sheep ratio on the extent and severity of patch grazing and on patch size were evaluated. The extent of patch grazing was proportional to stocking rate, and livestock species had a small but significant effect. Patch size was also a function of stocking rate. Cattle and sheep had similar effects on patch size distribution when stocked at the same number of AUE ha^-1. The severity of grazing within a patch was influenced by both stocking rate and cattle-to-sheep ratio. Recommendations that cattle should be grazed together with sheep and that cattle should be in greater proportion (in terms of AUE ha^-1) than sheep, which are aimed at limiting the severity of grazing by sheep, are supported. However, severe grazing within patches is an inevitable consequence of sheep grazing irrespective of the stocking rate or cattle-to-sheep ratio applied.

Keywords: cattle; cattle:sheep ratio; effects; grazing; grazing impact; kokstad agricultural research station; leaf table height; line intercept; livestock; mixed-species grazing; patch grazing; sheep; sheep grazing; south africa; stocking rate

African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 12(3): pp. 121-127