The grazing capacity of Sweetveld: 1 A technique to record grazing capacity

Abstract

A technique is proposed for measuring the grazing capacity of sweet grassveld. The suggested procedure is to record the parameter on plots simulating individual camps in rotational grazing systems. This allows considerably smaller experimental areas to be used than in conventional stocking rate trials. Grazing capacity is assumed to be the number of grazing days per hectare that can be obtained on a sward, provided animals perform at their maximum capabilities for that sward. This is determined from the point where the rate of herbage disappearance deviates from linearity during periods of occupation. The technique was tested, and found to work well, under two simulated grazing management systems in the False Thornveld of the Eastern Cape.