The utilisation of grassveld in the central Orange Free State by sheep.

Abstract

A study of the utilization of climax grassveld by sheep in the central Orange Free State revealed a preference for certain species. The selection pattern differed very little from summer to winter unless material of preferred species became scarce and the animals were forced to graze proportionately more of the less palatable species. In calculating the corrected species importance the customary correction for presence (percentage frequency) was made, as well as corrections for dry matter production per cm 2 basal cover and for quality (crude protein and digestible organic matter content). These correction factors facilitated a more reliable value of the relative importance of the different species being obtained.

Keywords: afrikaans; basal cover; crude protein; dry matter production; grassveld; orange free state; organic matter; palatability; preference; production; protein; sheep; south africa; utilization