The profitability and production of a beef herd on transitional Cymbopogon- Themeda veld, receiving three different levels of lick supplementation - Preliminary results

The study aimed to determine the average stocking rate among land reform beneficiary farmers specialising in livestock production in order to establish differences between calving percentage, fodder availability, and mortality rate of sampled farms, as well as to compare forage scarcities of Land Reform farms with their neighbouring farms during the midsummer drought of 2018/2019 in the Bloemfontein area. The average stocking rate was 5.9 ha/LSU in comparison with the Departmental grazing capacity norm of 6 ha/LSU for rangeland in good condition. However, 31% of the sampled farms were found to be severely overstocked, and the mortality rate on these farms, in relation to grazing capacity of 6 ha/LSU, was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the mortalities on the other remaining farms. Naturally available fodder was found to be heterogeneous, with 37.9% of the respondents observing their available fodder as worse than that of their neighbours. The total mortality of 176.77 LSUs was recorded for the 29 sampled farms. These findings will assist the local extension personnel prevent future rangeland condition degradation and increase land reform farmers’ productivity. The study concluded that training is paramount to farmers’ development and further recommends more research undertakings.

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The effect of supplementation on reproduction and weight in extensively managed beef cattle in the Eastern Kalahari bushveld

Diamond,

Grobler,

Scholtz

et al. 2024

Preprint

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A cow’s lifetime productivity is influenced not only by breed and age at first calving, but also by feeding conditions and appropriate supplementation. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of two different lick supplementation strategies between weaning and first conception on the calving percentage and weight over the first three calving seasons. In the study, 24 Bonsmara heifers were divided into two groups of 12 animals each after weaning. The two heifer groups received the same mineral lick during summer. During winter months (April – September), the one group received a protein rich winter lick (400g/kg protein) while the second group received a production lick (winter lick supplemented with yellow maize in a ratio of 2:1). The heifers were bred naturally at 24 months during a three-month summer breeding season (December – February). Calving percentage and reconception rate of the group which received production lick in the winter was 92%, 50% and 58% for the first, second and third calving seasons. This was significantly higher than the calving percentage of 67%, 42% and 33% for the group which received only winter lick. Cow weight at calving and calf 205 day corrected weaning weight were higher over the three consecutive calving seasons for the heifers receiving production lick during winter. These results indicate that it may be worthwhile to provide good supplementation before the first breeding season for the incentive of a better calving percentage and higher calf weaning weights up to the third calving season.

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The profitability and production of a beef herd on transitional Cymbopogon- Themeda veld, receiving three different levels of lick supplementation - Preliminary results

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

Utilization and Improvement of Marginal Soils Through Large Stock Grazing in Semi-Arid Summer Rainfall Areas in South Africa

Utilization and Improvement of Marginal Soils Through Large Stock Grazing in Semi-Arid Summer Rainfall Areas in South Africa

Stocking rate of extensive land-reform livestock farmers during 2018/2019 drought: Bloemfontein grassland biome case study

The effect of supplementation on reproduction and weight in extensively managed beef cattle in the Eastern Kalahari bushveld

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