Sustainable and Profitable Ranching
Under conditions of conventional veld management based on conservative stocking rate, selective grazing, seasonal rests and occasional use of fire individual animal performance was very high. However, it soon became clear that the veld was deteriorating with regard to species composition (86% unpalatable grass) as well as vigour (40% perennial grasses moribund and 26% dead, 0% perennial seedlings). It was also apparent that utilisation was very poor (half the grasses not grazed) , soil fertility declining (poor composition and colour) and the rainfall effectiveness very low (large compacted bare areas , erosion and severe algal capping).
The effects of ultra-high stocking densities (left) on the vigour of grass growth. Between 3000 and 5000LSU/ha on Smutsfinger pasture near Ventersdorp, South Africa. Just 10 months later grass is growing vigorously without any chemical fertilisation of any sort.
These issues could not be addressed by the conventional means of reducing animal numbers, long-term rest and fire. It became clear that the predator effect would have to be re-introduced in order to create an efficiently functioning whole and realize the goal of maximum sustainable profit /ha. Hence the introduction of time - controlled high animal impact (stock densities of 500 - 5000 LU/ ha) and severe grazing (Virtually 100 % utilisation and trampling).
The results in terms of the ecosystem were phenomenal. Composition of palatable/semi - palatable grasses increased from 14% to 54% in a single year due to increased establishment (78% new plants). Legumes, not additionally noted and recorded, exploded in subsequent years. Plant density increased (distance between plants decreased from 18cm to 11,2cm) together with vigour as evidenced by colour (from pale to dark green) and total absence of moribund plants. The precursors to all these positive changes were time-controlled soil surface disturbance and non selective defoliation.
Series of 3 photos (left) show (from top to bottom) 1) the re-emergence of an indigenous legume previously almost non-existent; 2) Stylosanthes scabra, introduced from South America; 3) very vigorous growth of Setaria sp grass that was previously overgrazed and insignificant.
With regard to cattle there was an immediate doubling of stocking rate (improved utilisation) and a trebling after two years but with reduced selectivity of grazing at increased stocking rates on sourveld with conventionally bred (fast potential growth) cattle, individual performance did decline (10% - 15%). However, the potentially drastic decline (even death) was mininimized due to the extremely high stock densities necessitating frequent (8-10 times daily) moves onto fresh grazing. This had the effect of stimulating intake and keeping the plane of nutrition constant in both the short and long term. In addition, the return (cash invested) remained the same at the lower level of individual performance. This allows tremendous scope for improving the genotype (small, early maturing) as well as management (breeding seasons, strategic supplementation) in order to achieve a higher return /$ invested which is magnified by the greater animal numbers at increased stocking rates.
It became apparent that the high animal impact, severe grazing and high animal numbers (stocking rate) essential for veld improvement necessitated an animal with lower "octane" requirement in order to maximize profit /ha. This can be rectified quickly by appropriate selection criteria and breeding methods. In my particular case I bred the Veldmaster - a composite of an early-maturing Beefmaster, African Sanga (Mashona) and African Zebu (Angoni and Boran) selected for criteria that will ensure maximum production / hectare as opposed to maximum production / animal. Such animals enable an increase in production / ha in line with an increase in stocking rate.
The result of all these experiences with cattle and veld is that I have new insights in selection and management. I believe that under commercial ranching conditions, profit/ha can easily be increased by 150-200% on an ecologically sustainable basis. Under communal conditions the veld and animal production can be improved without reduction in animal numbers. This will include a drought reserve of grazing and can be achieved with minimal outlay in capital (the equivalent value of 5 cull cows to treble stocking rate in my case).
Impressive photos of high pressure grazing taken on the Burgers' farm near Ellisras on 31 January 2008.
The utilisation of bush, even in the presence of good grass, is obvious.