The influence of the composition of mixed Karoo vegetation on the grazing habits of Merino and Dorper wethers

Roux, Francis Augustus

Title: The influence of the composition of mixed Karoo vegetation on the grazing habits of Merino and Dorper wethers
Creator: Roux, Francis Augustus
Subject: Grazing -- South Africa -- Karoo
Subject: Sheep -- Feeding and feeds
Subject: Dorper sheep -- South Africa
Subject: Merino sheep -- South Africa
Date Issued: 1994
Date: 1994
Type: Thesis
Type: Masters
Type: MSc
Identifier: vital:4223
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003792
Identifier: Grazing -- South Africa -- Karoo
Identifier: Sheep -- Feeding and feeds
Identifier: Dorper sheep -- South Africa
Identifier: Merino sheep -- South Africa
Description: The primary objective of this research project was to determine whether area-selective grazing, by Dorper and Merino wethers, took place in small grazing camps as governed by differences in vegetal cover. The main research techniques employed were the descending-point method for the determination of botanical composition, sub-division of the camps into gridblocks to trace sheep movement in relation to vegetation patterning, fistulated animals to determine diet selection, the electronic theodolite for micro-topography, and few minor techniques. The result have shown that area- patch- and species selective grazing are prevalent in small grazing camps under "normal" stocking densities, and that different breeds of stock (Merino and Dorper sheep) have different grazing patterns and diet selection . Climax and sub-climax areas were those primarily select ed for grazing. There is little or no correlation between botanical composition and diet selected as per fistula ted animal. The average distances travelled by Dorpers and Merinos was 2 km / day and 3.1 km/day respectively. Plant phenology did not have a detectable influence in the choice of diet.
Format: 161 p. ill.
Format: pdf
Publisher: Rhodes University
Publisher: Faculty of Science, Botany
Language: English
Rights: Roux, Francis Augustus

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