Publication Date
1993
Description
The effects of mixed-species grazing, at 5 cattle to sheep ratios all at the same stocking rale, on individual animal mass change/ ha mass change/ Ila were monitored for 2 grazing seasons, The ratios were balanced in terms of animal units which equate the expected intake of cattle and sheep. The study was conducted on a humid grasslands in which the herbage characteristically loses quality as Jt mature1. Mass gains of individual cattle were higher when the cattle grazed 10ge1her with the sheep than when they grazed alone. This was ascribed to increasing herbage availability as the ratio of cattle to sheep declined. Mass gains of sheep also 4ecreased as their proportion in the animal mix increased. It is suggested that this decline resulted from a decline in the quality of herbage on offer !\S the ratio of cattle to sheep 4ecreascd. Optimum economic ratios of cattle to sheep at the stocking rate applied would depend on providing beef, mutton and wool prices.
Citation
Hardy, M B. and Tainton, N M., "Mixed-Species Grazing in the Highland Sourveld of South Africa: An Evaluation of Animal Production Potential" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 32.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session55/32
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Mixed-Species Grazing in the Highland Sourveld of South Africa: An Evaluation of Animal Production Potential
The effects of mixed-species grazing, at 5 cattle to sheep ratios all at the same stocking rale, on individual animal mass change/ ha mass change/ Ila were monitored for 2 grazing seasons, The ratios were balanced in terms of animal units which equate the expected intake of cattle and sheep. The study was conducted on a humid grasslands in which the herbage characteristically loses quality as Jt mature1. Mass gains of individual cattle were higher when the cattle grazed 10ge1her with the sheep than when they grazed alone. This was ascribed to increasing herbage availability as the ratio of cattle to sheep declined. Mass gains of sheep also 4ecreased as their proportion in the animal mix increased. It is suggested that this decline resulted from a decline in the quality of herbage on offer !\S the ratio of cattle to sheep 4ecreascd. Optimum economic ratios of cattle to sheep at the stocking rate applied would depend on providing beef, mutton and wool prices.
