An investigation was conducted to determine whether goats could control bush regrowth and reinfestation after initial bush clearing. A dense stand of A. karroo was chopped and the regrowth subsequently grazed either rotationally or continuously by sheep or goats. Regular observations of grazing were undertaken and the effect of treatment on bush regrowth and on the grass component was evaluated.Sheep were observed to devote from six to ten per cent of the time they spent collecting food, to the browsing of bush, while goats devoted as much time to grazing grass as to browsing. After the third season sheep had only slightly retarded bush regrowth and the effect of bush competition on grass production was noticeable. In the goat camps, bush regrowth had been largely contained and a considerable mortality of sampled trees was recorded. Continuous grazing by goats resulted in a higher mortality of trees and more efficient control of regrowth than did rotational grazing. There was a marked improvement in the cover, composition and vigour of the grass sward where goats grazed.
UITTREKSEL 'n Ondersoek is uitgevoer om vas te stel of bokke in staat is om boshergroei en -hervestiging na ontbossing, te beheer. 'n Digle Acacia karroo-stand is afgekap en wisselweiding of aanhoudende beweiding met of skape of bokke is op die hergroei toegepas. Gereelde wei-observasies is onderneem en die effek van behandeling op boshergroei en die graskomponent is gemeet.Dit is waargeneem dat skape van ses tot tien persent van hulle weityd aan bosbeweiding bestee, terwyl bokke ongeveer ewe veel tyd aan grasbeweiding as bosbeweiding bestee het. Na drie weiseisoene is boshergroei in die skaapkampe slegs effens vertraag en die invloed van boskompetisie op gras produksie was waarneembaar. Boshergroei op die bokkampe is in 'n groot mate beheer, en tydens monsterneming is verskeie dooie home aangetref. Aanhoudende beweiding met bokke het boshergroei meer doeltreffend beheer as die wisselweibehandeling en het ook meer dooie bome tot gevolg gehad. Daar was 'n betekenisvolle verbetering in die bedekking, samestelling en grocikragligheid van die graskomponent in die bokkampe.
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