Evaluation of veld potential in East Griqualand using beef cattle under two grazing management systems.

Abstract

Beef production from veld, in the short term, was found to be greater under a continuous grazing system than under a rotational grazing system. Average daily gains decreased from a maximum in late-spring and the highest three year mean value was 0.5kg/animal/day. Livemass gains/ha were highest at a stocking rate of 2.2 animals/ha and were 131.4kg/ha under continuous grazing and 88.6kg/ha under rotational grazing and 0.55kg/ha/day at a stocking rate of 1.7 animals/ha under rotational grazing. However, optimum economic stocking rates were estimated to occur below those where beef production/ha was minimum.

Keywords: average daily gain; beef cattle; beef production; cattle; continuous grazing; daily gain; East Griqualand; grazing; grazing management; Grazing management systems; kokstad agricultural research station; management; Optimum stocking rates; rotational grazing; south africa; stocking rate; stocking rates; veld; Veld potential

Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa.