Effect of continuous grazing in the dohne sourveld on species composition and basal cover

Abstract

In a grazing trial conducted at the Dohne Agricultural Research Station, natural grassland was grazed continuously for 36 years with cattle. In a second investigation conducted on similar grassland, paddocks were grazed or rested, in all combinations of the four seasons of the year, over a ten year period. Changes in botanical composition and cover of the sward were monitored at regular intervals. The results of these investigations indicate that under a regime of non‐selective grazing the composition of Dohne Sourveld is remarkably stable. After 36 years of continuous grazing the species composition of the sward was largely maintained. Floristically Dohne Sourveld is dominated by a small number of grass species of which Andropogon appendiculatus, Elionurus muticus, Heteropogon contortus, Sporobolus africanus, Themeda triandra and Tristachya leucothrix are the most important. These species react differently to under‐utilization or increasingly severe defoliation, enabling them to be classified into decreaser or increaser categories. Severe defoliation resulted in a marked decrease in basal cover but only small changes in relative species composition. As the intensity of defoliation increases, decrease in grass cover is associated with an increase of forbs, such as Senecio retrorsus.     

The effect of prolonged heavy grazing pressure on the regrowth of two perennial grass species in a semi-arid communal rangeland

We tested the hypothesis that initial above-ground regrowth of defoliated grass tufts would be reduced in sites which have been exposed to prolonged heavy grazing. The regrowth of Themeda triandra and Urochloa mosambicensis tufts was compared between three heavily grazed sites close to a village and three relatively lightly grazed sites far from a village, in a semi-arid communal rangeland in the South African lowveld. A clipping experiment was done in the field using T. triandra and U. mosambicensis tufts. Regrowth was lower (P≤0.01) in the heavy grazing sites for both species. This was more a function of tiller production rate, in terms of numbers of tillers, than of tiller extension rate. Rate of regrowth was not strongly affected by tuft size.     

Grass species selection patterns on rotationally‐grazed Dohne Sourveld during autumn and early winter

Herbaceous species preference was studied during autumn and winter periods of occupation, on rotationally‐grazed Dohne Sourveld, at four different stocking rates. Only the most abundant grass species in the sward were monitored. Animals (cattle and sheep) grazed selectively (for plant species) during both autumn and winter, but the degree of selectivity increased in winter. Although animals could be forced to graze less selectively by increasing the stocking rate in autumn, stocking rate did not affect the sequence of species selection, but merely accelerated the process. Regrazing of tillers during grazing periods was a common occurrence in all but the heavy stocking rate treatment. Although Tristachya leucothrix was the most preferred species, the amount (mass) of this species that was grazed per unit basal tuft area was less than that of Themeda triandra.     

The effect of defoliation and competition on the regrowth of Themeda triandra and Aristida junciformis subsp. junciformis

Abstract

The effects of a cutting trial, conducted to study the combined influence of defoliation and competition from surrounding vegetation on the vigour of Themeda triandra and Aristida junciformis, were evident after the single season of treatment implementation. Aristida junciformis was more sensitive to defoliation than T. triandra, whereas competition reduced yield to a greater extent in T. triandra than in A. junciformis. The two species differed in their ability to tolerate defoliation under competition. Defoliation reduced the yield of A. junciformis, at all levels of competition, to a greater extent than T. triandra. Aristida junciformis was particularly sensitive to a combination of severe defoliation and full competition. It is suggested that manipulation of grazing patterns may shift the competitive balance between palatable (e.g. T. triandra) and unpalatable (e.g. A. junciformis) components of the sward.     

Patterns of plant selection by grazing cattle in two savanna grasslands: A plant's eye view

The amount of grazing experienced by individual tufts of the most abundant perennial grasses of two Transvaal savannas was monitored at regular intervals for two growing seasons. In general, Setaria incrassata and Themeda triandra were heavily grazed, Bothriochloa insculpla and Aristida bipartita were lightly grazed, and Heteropogon conlortus and Digitaria eriantha were intermediate. Tufts with a greater amount of moribund material were less heavily grazed. The smallest tufts of all species were the most lightly grazed, although the most heavily‐grazed tufts were on occasion intermediate in size rather than being the largest. A tuft had an increased likelihood of being heavily grazed if it had previously been heavily grazed, both within a growing season and for two successive growing seasons. A spatial pattern of grazing was evident, as individual species were less heavily grazed at different locations within the paddocks. The influence of species identity on the amount a tuft was grazed was not absolute but rather quantitative and conditional on the level of other variables. Tuft size and the amount a tuft had been previously grazed generally had a greater influence on the amount a tuft was grazed during an individual grazing event than species identity, location or moribund material. Species selection is possibly, in part, a consequence of selection for plant structure which optimizes intake.     

The influence of various types and frequencies of rest on the production and condition of sourveld grazed by sheep or cattle. 2. Vigour

Treatments involving a full growing season rest in alternate years, half a growing season rest (late season) in alternate years and no rest were applied to veld grazed by sheep or cattle at similar stocking rates. Residual effects of the treatments on veld vigour were determined by measuring species regrowth during the season following treatment application, compared to ungrazed controls. The vigour of veld grazed by sheep declined rapidly relative to veld grazed by cattle. The vigour of palatable species was severely impacted, vigour of intermediate species was variably impacted and vigour of unpalatable species increased dramatically on veld grazed by sheep. Similar trends occurred in veld grazed by cattle, but to a lesser degree. Resting was beneficial for vigour recovery in both sheep and cattle treatments but it seems that the grazing treatment between rests has an over-riding influence on veld vigour. The veld grazed by sheep remained at a lower productivity level than veld grazed by cattle. Principles related to resting and the impacts of sheep and cattle grazing are briefly discussed with a view to formulating management strategies.     

Plant species dynamics in the Southern Tall Grassveld under grazing,resting and fire

An analysis of temporal changes in botanical composition in a long‐term grazing trial indicates that species dynamics in the Southern Tall Grassveld of Natal are determined by the specific combination of grazing, mowing and fire impacts. Species composition of a grazing systems trial was recorded at intervals during 16 years, and in the 14 years following the removal of herbivores, during which time the experimental area was burnt periodically. Site trajectories in ordination space facilitated the assessment of the nature, magnitude and rate of species composition change under various combinations of impacts. Under rotational grazing and mowing, botanical change was minimal, both during the grazing and the subsequent rest and fire phases of the trial. It is suggested that the interruption of continuous grazing at a high stocking rate by a seasonal rest (rotational resting) promoted the invasion of the sward by Aristida junciformis. This also occurred in the continuously‐grazed treatment at a high stocking rate when stock were removed from the treatment and periodic burning was introduced. It appears that swards dominated by A. junciformis remain stable under a rest and burning regime.     

The influence of urine and dung deposition on patch grazing patterns of cattle and sheep in the Southern Tall Grassveld

Abstract

The effect of urine and dung deposition on the patch grazing patterns of cattle and sheep in the Southern Tall Grassveld was investigated using an experiment with four treatments, viz. artificial urine, fresh cattle dung, fresh sheep dung, and a control. Cattle and sheep preferentially grazed the sward surrounding and within urine deposits for six months after deposition. Cattle rejected herbage from both cattle and sheep dung patches for six months after deposition. Sheep initially rejected the herbage from cattle dung patches, but their grazing patterns were no longer affected at six months after deposition. Sheep grazing tended not to be influenced by sheep dung. Urine deposition may consequently be an important factor in patch initiation and patch development.     

Adaptation of a decreaser and an increaser grass species to defoliation in semi‐arid grassveld

Abstract

Grasses have developed through natural selection to deter, escape and tolerate herbivory, and to escape and tolerate fire. In the semi‐arid grassveld of the Eastern Cape, the species Themeda triandra and Sporobolus fimbriatus have been classified as Decreaser and Increaser II plants respectively. Both species have well‐developed escape and tolerance mechanisms, although T. triandra readily tolerates defoliation only during the dormant season, while S. fimbriatus is adapted to tolerating defoliation throughout the year. Furthermore, T. triandra has only moderately developed deterrents to herbivory, in contrast to S. fimbriatus, where deterrents are well developed. It follows that the Decreaser species T. triandra is adapted to relatively frequent fire and no more than modest herbivory, while the Increaser II species, S. fimbriatus, is adapted to heavy herbivore usage, but infrequent fire.     

Is the grazing tolerance of mesic decreaser and increaser grasses altered by soil nutrients and competition?

An ability to tolerate recurrent defoliation likely plays a role in the compositional shift from decreaser to increaser species with overgrazing of mesic grassland, but the grazing tolerance of local species has not been extensively studied. The growth response of two decreasers, three Increaser II grasses, and an Increaser III species to frequent, severe defoliation under three levels of competition from neighbours and two levels of soil nutrients was examined in a pot trial. The effects of competition and especially nutrients markedly modified the defoliation tolerance of different species, and grazing response groups varied in the manner in which their defoliation responses were mediated by these interactions. Contrary to expectation, defoliation constrained potential productivity most in nutrient-rich, competition-free environments, probably because it exacerbates a carbon limitation on growth. However, nutrient enrichment did enable Increaser II grasses, but not other species, to better tolerate intense defoliation, explaining why they can persist on intensively grazed fertile patches and in heavily stocked grassland, such as in communal areas, where nutrients are more available. It is concluded that grazing tolerance is not a fixed property of species or grazing response groups but depends on biotic and abiotic environmental factors.     

Forage production of some grass species in the false Thornveld of the Eastern Cape

Abstract

The most commonly occurring grass species in the False Thornveld (Acocks, 1953; veld type no. 21) were clipped before and after grazing on veld in good and poor condition at different times of the year. Herbage yield per species was expressed per unit basal tuft area, and the difference in yield before and after grazing was considered to reflect the production of available forage. Themeda triandra produced more forage than any other species at all times of the year. Sporobolus fimbriatus generally produced the second highest amount of available forage. Cymbopogon plurinodis, despite having the second highest herbage yield before grazing, was not grazed to a significant extent. On the basis of the results, Themeda triandra and Sporobolus fimbriatus were identified as key grass species in the False Thornveld of the Eastern Cape.     

Effects on animal performance and sward composition of mixed and sequential grazing of permanent pasture by cattle and sheep

Previous experiments have shown that mixed or conjoint grazing, when two or more animal species are grazed together, can lead to improved performance of one or more of the species and a higher total output per unit area. Sequential grazing systems, when different animal species graze an area in succession, also have the potential to improve productivity. This experiment directly compared these two approaches for integrating the grazing of cattle and sheep when pastured on improved permanent pasture. Four treatments were compared: 1) sheep only from May to October (S/S); 2) cattle only from May to July followed by sheep only from August to October (C/S); 3) cattle and sheep from May to July, sheep only for the rest of the growing season (C + S/S); and 4) cattle and sheep from May to October (C + S/C + S). Each treatment was replicated three times. From May until weaning at the end of July the plots were grazed by steers and ewes and lambs, and from weaning until October by steers and lambs. Sward heights were maintained at 6 cm using a “put and take” stocking system. Animal performance and sward composition data were collected during three growing seasons, 2001–2003. During the pre-weaning period lambs grazing plots which were grazed only by sheep had significantly poorer growth rates than those grazing plots where there was mixed grazing. Lambs grazing the sheep only plots also had lower liveweight gain during the post-weaning period, with the highest growth rates being recorded on the C + S/C + S treatment. Carrying capacity and total liveweight gain per unit area post-weaning were also consistently higher for the C + S/C + S treatment, while carrying capacity pre-weaning was highest for the C/S treatment. Measurements of clover content in the grazed horizon and botanical separation of material from quadrat cuts indicated that even under relatively controlled conditions choice of grazing system can influence sward composition. However, there was no clear link between any single sward change and the growth of the animals, indicating that the improved performance of cattle and sheep under mixed grazing is the result of a combination of factors, rather than a response to a particular sward parameter.     

Korttermyn invloed van strawwe droogte op veldtoestand en waterverbruiksdoeltreffendheid van grasveld in die sentrale Oranje‐Vrystaat

Short‐term effect of severe drought on veld condition and water use efficiency of grassveld in the central Orange Free State. The impact of an intensive drought (1982/1983 and 1983/84‐growing seasons) on botanical composition, basal cover, mortality of grazing plants and water use efficiency (WUE) of veld in good, moderate and poor condition was identified. Increaser II species were apparently more capable of surviving drought than the Decreaser species. Under optimal soil moisture conditions the Decreaser species increased and the Increaser II species decreased. During the drought extensive grass mortality took place. Veld condition plays an important role in determining mortality during drought. Decreaser species have a high water requirement for optimal WUE, while Increaser II species can reach maximum WUE with less water. Under water stress conditions Increaser II species significantly (P≤0.01) do not use the water as efficiently as do Decreaser species. The WUE under water stress conditions for veld in good, moderate and poor condition was on average, during the study period, 0.90; 0.90 and 0.40 kg ha^?1 mm^?1, respectively, and towards under optimal water conditions, 2.47; 1.67 and 0.23 kg ha^?1 mm^?1, respectively.     

Disturbances Impact on Longevity of Grass Seeds,Semi-Arid South African Rangeland

The effect of plant and soil disturbances on seed density, species richness, and seed longevity of the soil seed bank was quantified for a semi-arid rangeland, over a 5-yr period (2002/2003–2006/2007 growing seasons). The different soil and plant treatments included fire, tillage (intended as a trampling surrogate), and blocked seed rain (simulating heavy grazing). These three experimental factors were combined in a factorial arrangement. Seed responses were evaluated in the soil seed bank before the new seed set, after the first seed production event, and after the second seed production event. Before disturbance (physical impact on the plant and soil), soil seed bank was dominated by early successional species: conversely, aboveground vegetation was mainly dominated by perennial grasses. After only 4 yr of blocked seed rain, seedling emergence of Decreaser grass species ceased totally both in the field and seed bank, with lower effect on Increaser grass species. Emergence of both Decreaser and Increaser grass species decreased in the seed bank with tillage, whereas the opposite occurred in the field. By contrast, tillage increased the emergence of weeds in the seed bank. The decrease in emergence of Decreaser grass species in both seed bank and field was still evident 4 yr after the rangeland was burnt. The grass species Themeda triandra was the most sensitive to fire in terms of seedling emergence. Blocked seed rain treatment significantly decreased (P < 0.05) species richness. Regardless of treatments applied, there was poor similarity between aboveground vegetation and the associated seed bank. Differences in the soil seed bank are likely to reflect manifested properties rather than short-term changes. Several characteristics of seed banks (species composition, seed abundance, and longevity) must be considered in order to understand the dynamics of plant communities following disturbances.     

An analysis of the fundamentals of grazing management systems

The resting and grazing components of grazing management cycles as practised in South Africa are evaluated from the points of view of objective and effect. While the desirability of resting for seeding and an increase in vigour is recognized, little is known of the optimum duration and frequency of rests in the various types of grazing. The upper limit of camp numbers per group of animals beyond which an increase in resting benefit is only slight appears to be approximately six. While continuous grazing is generally believed to be detrimental to sward composition because of selective grazing, it seems that this effect is due rather to incorrect stocking rates than continuous grazing per se. Rotational grazing does, however, offer a means of attaining higher stocking rates without detrimental effects. High Utilization Grazing and High Production Grazing are two different methods of applying rotational grazing which have different objectives and different effects. The most suitable method to use in any situation depends on the nature of the sward and the reaction of the component species to defoliation. However, both methods require multi‐camp systems for best results.     

Effects of three short-term pasture allocation methods on milk production,methane emission and grazing behaviour by dairy cows

Two short-term grazing experiments were conducted with Norwegian Red cows. In Exp 1, 24 cows were randomly assigned to one of the following three pasture allocation methods (PAM): weekly pasture allowance (7RG), grazing 1/7 of 7RG each day (1SG), or grazing as 1SG but had access to grazed part of the paddock within one week (1FG). In Exp 2, 7RG was shortened to 5 days (5RG). We hypothesized that PAM will affect sward quality, quantity, intake and production differently. Pasture chemical composition changed with advancing grazing days but were not different between treatments. Pasture intake, milk yield, and methane emission were not affected by PAM. In Exp 1, 7RG cows spent less time on grazing, whereas in Exp 2, 1FG cows spent longer on grazing than others. Patterns observed in sward quality, and behavioural and physiological adaptations of cows to short-term changes in nutrient supply may explain the observed effects.     

Short‐term effects of cattle‐to‐sheep ratio and stocking rate on patch grazing in sour grassveld

Abstract

The short‐term effects of stocking rate (AUE ha^?1) and cattle‐to‐sheep ratio on the extent and severity of patch grazing and on patch size were evaluated. The extent of patch grazing was proportional to stocking rate, and livestock species had a small but significant effect. Patch size was also a function of stocking rate. Cattle and sheep had similar effects on patch size distribution when stocked at the same number of AUE ha^?1. The severity of grazing within a patch was influenced by both stocking rate and cattle‐to‐sheep ratio. Recommendations that cattle should be grazed together with sheep and that cattle should be in greater proportion (in terms of AUE ha^?1) than sheep, which are aimed at limiting the severity of grazing by sheep, are supported. However, severe grazing within patches is an inevitable consequence of sheep grazing irrespective of the stocking rate or cattle‐to‐sheep ratio applied.     

The quantification of rangeland condition in a semi-arid grassland of southern Africa

The degradation gradient technique was used to quantify rangeland, condition in areas ranging from poor, trampled areas close to watering points to well managed areas in a semi-arid, sweet grassland of southern Africa. Ecological values were linked to species by means of their individual positions on the degradation gradient. These species were further classified according to ecological index values. Identification of indicator species for purposes of rangeland condition assessment was done by using the correlations between the relative composition and the rangeland condition value of a species. Index values and Gaussian distribution curves were used in calculations to determine rangeland condition. The accuracy of these methods was tested and the best results were obtained by using the species curves of Themeda triandra and other species which dominate at other positions along the gradient. The advantage of this technique lies in its simplicity and ease of use. Another advantage is the fact that only the most important indicator and dominant species in the study area are used to determine rangeland condition.     

Evaluation of the grazing potential of grass species in Tarchonanthus veld of the northern cape 1

Abstract

The grazing value of the seven most prominent grass species in Tarchonanthus‐limeveld was investigated from 1977 to 1981.

The frequency of utilization of Chrysopogon serrulatus was exceptionally high (93%), while Sporobolus fimbriatus, Themeda triandra and Digitaria seriata were intermediate (50–60%) followed by Cymbopogon plurinodis (34%). Eragrotis lehmanniana and Fingerhuthia africana were poorly grazed (12 to 16%). The utilization of species was influenced by stocking rate. Statistical differences between species indicated a relatively high biomass production (600 to 740 g DM/m² per year) for E. lehmanniana, C. plurinodis and T. triandra, while F. africana, S. fimbriatus and D. seriata were intermediate (320 to 420 g DM/m² per year). E. lehmanniana, C. plurinodis and T. triandra produced the highest above‐ground phytomass, but had a lower crude protein content (2,9 to 7,4%) and digestibility (46,1 to 61,3%) than the other four species (3,8 to 9,7% crude protein and 50,5 to 68,4% digestibility).     

Grazing by Steers at Different Sward Surface Heights on Extensive Pastures: A Study of Weight Gain and Fat Deposition

Live weight gain of steers grazing at three different target sward heights, Low (3-6 cm), Medium (6-10 cm) and High (>10 cm), together with carcass fat deposition, were studied during two grazing seasons. Sward height was measured with a sward stick. The grassland consisted of seminatural grazing areas mixed with previously cultivated areas. Animals grazed continuously with small adjustments in animal numbers (year 1) or pasture area (year 2) to maintain sward height within the target for each treatment. The recorded average sward heights were 4.7, 6.8 and 11.1 cm for pastures on treatments Low, Medium and High, respectively. The animals weighed approximately 440 kg at the start of the grazing season and went directly from pasture to slaughter at the end of the experiment. No differences between years were found and data from both years were thus pooled, giving a total of 50 steers of the Swedish Red and White breed in the data set. Over the whole grazing season, the average daily live weight gain of animals on treatment Low (0.43 kg day