The Potch System: An approach to the management of semi-arid grasslands in Southern Africa.

Abstract

A host of grassland management systems have been published and recommended. Whereas earlier approaches to grassland management emphasized the systematic resting aspect, the systems published since 1966 have tended to stress the degree of utilization of the grassland sward. In an attempt to accommodate the periodic dry periods that are so typical of the semi-arid grasslands of Western Transvaal, the Potch System of management was evolved. This approach was tested and demonstrated over a period of five years in an experiment comprising 240 beef breeding cowsLanguage: English

Keywords: Beef animal performance; Climatic conditions; Management systems; Potch System; Semi-arid grasslands; grasslands; grazing capacity; management; period of absence; selective grazing; stocking rate; grassland; utilization; summer grazing; period of occupation; western transvaal; south africa; fodder; lsu; potch system of management