A model for predicting livemass gain from stocking rate and annual rainfall.

Abstract

The relationship between livemass gain and stocking rate was established for young beef animals grazing kikuyu and Coastcross II pastures in each of five grazing seasons. The annual rainfall within these seasons ranges from 506mm to 990mm. Relationships between pasture production variables and annual rainfall are described and these are used to construct a model for predicting livemass gain/ha/season for different stocking rates and levels of annual rainfall.

Keywords: Annual rainfall; Beef cows; coastcross ii; coastcross ii bermudagrass; Coastcross II pastures; cynodon; grazing; kikuyu; Kikuyu pastures; live mass gain; model; Modelling; natal; pasture; pasture production; Pasture species; pennisetum clandestinum; Prediction models; rainfall; south africa; stocking rates

Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa.