Diet selection by sheep and goats in the Noorsveld

Abstract

The diet selection of Angora and Boer goats, and Dorper and Merino sheep was studied in the Noorsveld to ascertain differences in their food preferences. This information will facilitate the identification of possible goat and sheep combinations to improve the utilisation of this veld type. Dorper and Merino sheep and Angora goats selected very similar diets while the diet selected by Boer goats differed by approximately 30% from those of other animals. We therefore hypothesise that a combination of Boer goats and either Merino or Dorper sheep in the appropriate ratio could lead to the improved utilisation of Noorsveld. This needs further investigation as intake of preferred plants may additionally play an important role in establishing better stock ratios.

Keywords: grazing capacity; palatibility; non-selective grazing; selective grazing

African Journal of Range and Forage Science 1995 12(1): 27–37.