Herbage intake by cattle on<i>tarchonanthus</i>veld in the Northern Cape as affected by stocking rate and grazing system¹

Abstract

Abstract In a trial with young Bonsmara cattle, four different stocking rates (10, 7, 6 and 4 ha/large stock unit) were applied in both a rotational and continuous grazing system. Feed intake was estimated during spring, summer, autumn and winter for four consecutive years starting in 1977. Irrespective of the grazing system, feed intake declined with an increase in stocking rate. On average the highest intake was recorded in January and reached the lowest levels in October and July. Livemass gain was found to be closely related to feed intake.