Effects of stocking rate and burning frequency on Brachystegia/Jubernardia veld in Zimbabwe.

Abstract

Brachystegia/Julbernardia veld was protected in the growing season and grazed by cows in the dry season for 60, 90 and 120 grazing days per ha per annum in combination with burning in the late dry season either annually, biennially or triennially. After 14 years of treatment there was evidence of a distinct improvement in grass species composition and in basal cover of grasses. While on veld cows were fed 800 g of cottonseed meal per head daily, and on average lost 4,38 kg in body mass per head per season. Burning at all frequencies reduced the number of trees and stunted their growth but the dominant species Brachystegia boehmii was reduced only by annual burning. It was concluded that resting the veld annually in the growing season and grazing only in the dry season is a simple and effective way of managing veld in the high rainfall areas of Zimbabwe where cultivated pastures are used for grazing during the growing season.

Keywords: basal cover; body mass; brachystegia boehmii; burning; cows; dry season; grasses; grazing; grazing days; growth; pastures; species composition; stocking rate; zimbabwe