agricultural production guidelines
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Veld in KwaZulu-Natal
Co-ordinated Extension KwaZulu-Natal Veld 3.6 1999
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT OF VELD
K G T Camp
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture
INTRODUCTION
Production Guidelines 3.2 to 3.4 of this series deal with veld management systems which are based on norms derived from various research findings, and from management systems practices by successful farmers. It is impossible however, for research to test all the different systems and variations within these systems. There are 23 Bioresource Groups in KwaZulu-Natal, with many variations of veld types within these Groups. Even within the boundaries of a farm the variations in species composition, palatability and productivity, can be large. As a result of this complex situation it can be difficult to design a veld management system to cope with all situations.
To be a successful manager, a farmer should develop his observational powers to the full, to enable him to assess accurately the potential of his veld and to be able to ‘read’ grazing patterns effectively. This ability, together with a knowledge of both veld and animal performance, will enable the farmer to adapt his veld management norms and practices to suit his farm's own particular circumstances.
While the farmer may apply any one of a variety of veld management systems, he should equip himself to improve his management from past experiences and results. Adaptive veld management is, therefore, the process of making management decisions based on the results of animal and veld performance, both negative and positive.
To achieve this objective of adapting the veld management programme to suit the fodder production potential of each camp, the farmer is required to:
- monitor changes in vegetation patterns and note the inherent fodder production characteristics of the sward,
- observe and note grazing patterns (areas of over and under-utilization and fodder shortfalls or excess after periods of stay and at the end of the season),
- record the number of AU grazing days per hectare per grazing season, periods of stay and absence, rest periods, and burning frequency.
- record weather conditions (in particular, seasonal rainfall and distribution and amount - this information is closely related to herbage production), and
- record the performance of the animals (e.g. fertility and mass gains).
These recordings and observations will enable the farmer to adjust his management system to correct any shortcomings that have become apparent. The procedures to follow are listed below.
- Map the farm's natural resources and identify veld type units (VTU’s), plan the primary and secondary camps, determine veld condition and grazing capacity of each camp, and set herd and flock compositions to suit the veld and the livestock production objectives of the farm.
- Take particular note of the VTU’s. These will be used to monitor possible changes in species composition which might have occurred as a result of the management system being applied.
- Decide on a veld management system for the farm. The manager has a choice of a closed, open or flexible system, or may adapt a system suited to his management preferences.
- Set objectives for veld and animal performance. Objectives for veld performance may vary according to the situation in different camps. The utilization of camps may have to vary to meet these objectives. Objectives for animal performance may be based on the results of study groups which operate in the same veld type.
- Record veld management operations (refer to Production Guideline 3.5 of this series).
- Evaluate the performance of veld and animals every two years. Veld condition surveys should be repeated on the marked transects in the VTU’s and animal performance (e.g. fertility, mass gains and profitability) should be evaluated.
- Animal and veld performance should then be examined in relation to management and environmental (e.g. rainfall) conditions using the records for each camp, local weather conditions and animal performance.
- Identify shortcomings in veld and animal performance and the possible causes of the problems. If necessary, request the assistance of veld and animal husbandry specialists.
Adapt management to meet the identified shortcomings. Camp boundaries may require adjustment, stocking rate may need to be increased or decreased, or veld management norms (i.e. periods of stay or absence, grazing cycle and burning programme) may have to be adapted. Repeat this process of monitoring and making adaptations to management every two to three years.
In conclusion, a farmer must have a thorough knowledge of the veld in order to become a successful manager. He must be able to understand the con-sequences of the grazing, resting and burning management being applied on the farm. Most important, however, is the need to record his observations on the utilization of the veld, that is, he must maintain effective camp records. He is then equipped to interpret results and build greater efficiency into his management system.