The quantification of grazing capacity from grazing — and production values for forage species in semi-arid grasslands of southern Africa

Westhuizen, HC van der; Snyman, H.A.; Rensburg, Wlj van; Potgieter, Jhj

doi:10.2989/10220110109485754

Cited by 15 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…The importance of T. triandra as a key species for this vegetation type is continually emphasised. This species is not only the ecologically most important species in the study area, but also a very good indicator of rangeland condition (r 2 = 0.99) (Van Der Westhuizen, 2003;Van Der Westhuizen et al, 1999), as well as the most important species in the diet of both sheep (37%) and cattle (48%) for this semi-arid vegetation type (Van Der Westhuizen et al, 2001).…”

Section: Rangeland Conditionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Reproduction performance of beef cattle before and after implementing a sustainable grazing system in a semi-arid grassland of southern africa

Westhuizen¹,

Mohlapo²,

Klerk³

et al. 2020

S Afr. Jnl. Agric. Ext.

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The semi-arid grasslands of South Africa are a major resource for beef farming. However, the reproduction performance of beef cattle is not optimal, and it is stressed differently by the different agriculture sectors due to various management systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of sustainable rangeland management on the reproduction of beef cattle and rangeland health. Data on calving rates, weaning weight (205 days), and rangeland condition over a period of five years was sampled, beginning with no rangeland management in year one, comparing the results with the next four years after implementing sustainable rangeland management, utilising the same herd of cattle. Results showed a significant increase in calving rates from the first year of rangeland management (+ 27%), with a 50% increase in year four. Weaning weight also increased significantly (P < 0.05) within the first year (+ 60 kg), with 72.8kg in year four. Rangeland conditions also started to improve in 31 of the 45 camps. The financial implication with respect to weaner calf income was also calculated with striking differences within the first year where it was ± two to three times higher and four times higher in year four comparing with the income with no rangeland management. Agricultural extension will enhance the objectives of securing sustainable agricultural development as indicated in this study for livestock production through the implementation of efficient rangeland management.

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Section: Rangeland Conditionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Reproduction performance of beef cattle before and after implementing a sustainable grazing system in a semi-arid grassland of southern africa

Westhuizen¹,

Mohlapo²,

Klerk³

et al. 2020

S Afr. Jnl. Agric. Ext.

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“…Consequently, the grasslands dominated by T. triandra are of significant ecological importance at MZNP. Themeda triandra is considered to be a climax or subclimax species (Smit, Bredenkamp & Van Rooyen 1992) and an indicator of grassland in good condition and it declines in abundance when overgrazed, underutilised or in the absence of fire (also commonly referred to as a 'Decreaser' species) ( Van der Westhuizen et al 2001;Wiegand et al 2004). In South Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia, T. triandra dominate mainly in frequently burnt grasslands and their populations may decline to local extinction if fires are excluded for longer than a decade (Snyman, Ingram & Kirkman 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of fire presence and absence on grass species composition and species richness at Mountain Zebra National Park

Munyai

Ramoelo

Adelabu

et al. 2023

Koedoe

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It is well known that fire is a common driver in many biomes and it plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem functioning in many South African biomes. This ecosystem process is an important determinant of plant community composition and diversity, and can result in changes in structural composition and ecosystem functioning. The main objectives of this study are to determine the influence of fire on grass species richness, diversity and composition in Mountain Zebra National Park. Using satellite imagery, the park’s fire history was determined between 2000 and 2020. Eighty plots (approximately 20 m × 20 m; 100 m apart) were laid out purposively across different fire regimes. There was no significant difference in both species richness and diversity in burned and unburned sites. However, there was a difference in species composition between burned and unburned sites and between different fire frequencies. The unburned site had higher moribund material and unpalatable grasses compared to the burned area.Conservation implications: The results of this study will help in the completion of the fire management plan for the park which will enable conservation managers to make better decisions with regard to fire management in mountainous grassland at Mountain Zebra National Park. Consequently, this will lead to improved veld condition and vegetation structure.

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“…Stocking rate must be considered one of the most important determinants of ecological sustainability, sustainable livestock production, and economic returns for extensive livestock farming enterprises (Van der Westhuizen et al, 2001;Van der Westhuizen et al, 2018). Tenacious over-stocking is a major contributor to veld degradation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Mokhesengoane

Westhuizen

Niekerk

2021

S Afr. Jnl. Agric. Ext.

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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 quantification of grazing capacity from grazing — and production values for forage species in semi-arid grasslands of southern Africa

Cited by 15 publications

References 0 publications

Reproduction performance of beef cattle before and after implementing a sustainable grazing system in a semi-arid grassland of southern africa

Reproduction performance of beef cattle before and after implementing a sustainable grazing system in a semi-arid grassland of southern africa

The influence of fire presence and absence on grass species composition and species richness at Mountain Zebra National Park

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

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