The development of stocking rate models for three veld types in Natal.
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Date
1990
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Abstract
The overall objective was to develop stocking rate models
for three veld types. namely the Lowveld. the Southern Tall
Grassveld and the Natal Sour Sandveld. in Natal. Sub-objectives
were to determine the 1) residual herbage mass at
the end of the summer, 2) residual herbage mass at the end of
winter and 3) individual animal performance under grazing
conditions, and the effect of stocking rate on these three
variables. Multiple linear regression component models were
successfully developed to meet all three of the sub-objectives
for each of the three veld types.
Results show that veld condition is an extremely important
factor determining animal production from veld, and that
stocking rate on veld in good condition could possibly be
double that on veld in poor condition. Stocking rate did not
have the expected impact on individual animal performance in
the summer. although it did have an important moderating
influence under any particular set of environmental
conditions. Stocking rate did. however. have a marked effect
on herbage production and therefore on herbage availability in
winter and so also on the ability to overwinter cattle without
having to supply additional supplementary feed. Stocking rate
in summer therefore had a major indirect effect on animal
production in the winter. Carryover of residual herbage from
one year to the next is probably not as important in these
veld types as in some other parts of the country.
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1990.
Keywords
Range management--KwaZulu-Natal., Range management--Mpumalanga--Lowveld., Theses--Grassland science.