The use of grazing patterns in the management of Dohne Sourveld.

Abstract

Results at Dohne Agricultural Research Institute show that a series of well defined profile patterns occur in the sward in set sequence within a camp during the period of grazing. Use of these grazing profile patterns as a management tool is advocated as a simple method to determine when stock should be removed from a camp to prevent over utilization of the more valuable grasses. Removing stock at the correct stage will also insure that they are not forced to harvest material of a lower feeding value. This will lead to higher production of both veld and animals.

Keywords: disturbance history; dohne sourveld; eastern cape; feeding value; grasses; grazing; grazing pattern; management; production; south africa; utilization; veld