Zimbabwe
to determine how many animals they should keep to maintain a certain standard of living, without trying to determine whether the resource is capable of carrying that stocking rate. Stock numbers not adapted to natural environmental conditions Stock farming is in many cases not adapted to natural environmental conditions like climate, soil, and vegetation. There is a tendency to look at production per hectare instead of maximum production per animal unit. Veld management practices Only a small percentage of farmers apply tried and tested veld management practices. The major problem that leads to this is the poor provision of camps per herd. A survey showed that almost 50% of the farmers only have three and even fewer camps available per herd. Mismanagement most definitely leads to the deterioration of veld. Even with realistic stock numbers, veld can be seriously damaged if it is not utilised in the correct way. Remember that the vegetation
Stretch your grazing with good management by Louis de Jager, Kameelboom Akademie, Comprehensive practical farmer training
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atural grazing is an excellent and also the cheapest source of fodder for the livestock of Southern Africa, and the majority of the millions of cattle, small stock and game are being fed by this natural resource. The natural veld forms the basis of the region's production of animals and animal products. Causes of veld deterioration: Overgrazing According to the stipulated norms for grazing capacity, it was found that in South Africa, in spite of prolonged and hard-pressing droughts, there are
still millions of large stock units more than the prescribed number for long term grazing capacity. The majority of farmers are convinced that they do not keep too many animals on the veld because they are looking at veld production within a specific season while it is common knowledge that production can vary up to 300% within one season, depending on the rainfall. Over-optimism of farmers A recent survey unveiled that more than 50% of farmers overestimate the grazing capacity of their farms. There is a tendency under farmers
Annexure A: Life cycle of a grass plant
SPRING
SPRING/SUMMER
SUMMER
AUTUMN/WINTER
SPRING
Initial growth
• Hay production • Root growth
• Seed production
• Translocation of carbohydrates to the roots: production of reserves • Active root growth • Development of vegetative cone
Initial growth
• Budding/ Foliation • Root growth
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• Budding/ Foliation • Root growth
cannot be adapted to the animals, but the other way around. Because this matter is always handled incorrectly, the vegetation is damaged and the process of veld deterioration continues. Insufficient knowledge of grazing and fodder crops Most farmers do not have sufficient knowledge about grazing plants and their interaction with animals. Intensive training in this regard is therefore very important. The farmers’ vision of veld condition A recent study revealed that the majority of farmers think their farms are in good condition even though experts know that only between 12 and 30% of farms are managed properly. The study also revealed that 66% of farmers saw no reason to improve their management skills or the condition of the veld. The final conclusion is that farmers are over-optimistic about the condition of the veld, and that training is necessary to stop the process of veld deterioration. Veld types and veld condition The classification of veld according to vegetation regions In Southern Africa, the term “veld” is largely used to describe the natural vegetation. Without the interference of man, the physical appearance of the veld is heterogeneous as a result of climatic
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