Description

In South Africa, multi-camp rotational grazing using ‘conservative stocking rates’ have been the conventional approach to livestock grazing management systems. However, as of late, the high-desnity approach (used interchangeably – depending on the situation – with regenerative grazing, mob grazing, short duration, high pressure grazing, rapid rotation, time controlled, ultra-high density, holistic grazing and holistic resource management) has been adopted by numerous farmers. This approach is considered to be an adaptable one, incorporating the ‘herd effect’ concept, whereby large numbers of animals occupy an area for short periods of time, and allowed an extended rest period. It claims to improve rangeland productivity by improving both vegetation and soil condition, and, in turn, enhancing animal productivity. However, scientifically sound information regarding these claims, as well as the influences of this strategy opposed to the conventional rotational systems in South Africa is somewhat lacking. The aim of our research is to explore the different facets of regenerative grazing, practiced by various livestock farmers in natural veld in the semi-arid and mesic grasslands of South Africa. These facets include different soil (physical and chemical parameters), vegetation (composition, dry matter production, necromass, cover and quality (i.e. crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and organic matter (OM)), animal and human (decision-making and financials) interactions and dynamics, in comparison to conventional, rotational grazing. Due to preliminary trials, only the forage quality parameters will be discussed. These parameters have been shown to differ between the two different grazing management strategies on a farm scale, however, not on a spatial scale. This project has the potential to produce scientific and objective information on the functionality of different grazing systems in the grasslands of South Africa, and it can, too, assist livestock farmers in understanding the rationale behind high pressure grazing.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.13023/k7rf-2k61

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The Influence of High Density Grazing and Conventional, Rotational Grazing on Soil And Vegetation Parameters in the Semi-Arid and Mesic Grasslands of South Africa

In South Africa, multi-camp rotational grazing using ‘conservative stocking rates’ have been the conventional approach to livestock grazing management systems. However, as of late, the high-desnity approach (used interchangeably – depending on the situation – with regenerative grazing, mob grazing, short duration, high pressure grazing, rapid rotation, time controlled, ultra-high density, holistic grazing and holistic resource management) has been adopted by numerous farmers. This approach is considered to be an adaptable one, incorporating the ‘herd effect’ concept, whereby large numbers of animals occupy an area for short periods of time, and allowed an extended rest period. It claims to improve rangeland productivity by improving both vegetation and soil condition, and, in turn, enhancing animal productivity. However, scientifically sound information regarding these claims, as well as the influences of this strategy opposed to the conventional rotational systems in South Africa is somewhat lacking. The aim of our research is to explore the different facets of regenerative grazing, practiced by various livestock farmers in natural veld in the semi-arid and mesic grasslands of South Africa. These facets include different soil (physical and chemical parameters), vegetation (composition, dry matter production, necromass, cover and quality (i.e. crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and organic matter (OM)), animal and human (decision-making and financials) interactions and dynamics, in comparison to conventional, rotational grazing. Due to preliminary trials, only the forage quality parameters will be discussed. These parameters have been shown to differ between the two different grazing management strategies on a farm scale, however, not on a spatial scale. This project has the potential to produce scientific and objective information on the functionality of different grazing systems in the grasslands of South Africa, and it can, too, assist livestock farmers in understanding the rationale behind high pressure grazing.