Influence of period of deferment before stocking spring-burnt sourveld on sheep performance and veld productivity.

Abstract

Spring-burnt sourveld was stocked with Merino lambs after three different periods of deferment from the time of start of growth in spring. Using veld from which grazing was excluded by means of exclosure cages as a control, the residual effects of the deferred grazing treatments on yields of grasses classified as palatable, intermediate or unpalatable were estimated in the next season. The findings indicate the need for drastic revision of current recommendations with regard to the management of sourveld for sheep production. Illustrates with graphs and tablesLanguage: English

Keywords: Livemass gains; Palatability; Sheep performance; Veld productivity; grazing; yield; sourveld; sheep; performance; productivity; merino sheep; live mass gain; grazing treatments; management; lambs; grasses; sheep production; ermelo district; south africa; floristic composition