PRODUCTIVITY OF SPRINGBOK ANTIDORCAS MARSUPIALIS AND MERINO SHEEP OVIS ARIES DURING A KAROO DROUGHT

SUMMARY

Productivity data were collected over a period of seven years of low rainfall on a farming enterprise in the Karoo. Merino sheep were the more important component producers in this enterprise and were 46% more efficient than springbok at converting estimated food energy into net rands profit. Both springbok and Merino sheep populations exhibited recruitments in excess of 30%. Springbok had a lambing percentage of 87% compared with 75% for Merino sheep. Nearly 50% of the springbok population died as a result of critical shortage of nutrients in 1984 representing a severe loss of capital. Merino sheep incurred large feed bills. Management costs for Merino sheep were thus higher (51,1% gross income) than for springbok (31,3% gross income) resulting in a favourable contribution of springbok to net profit. Moreover, springbok were more efficient at converting food energy into kg saleable meat. An increase in the role of the springbok in Karoo farming concurrent with Merino stock reductions is recommended. A combination should help in the reclamation of Karoo vegetation and has the potential of improving overall productivity. Reasons are given why springbok should be stocked at lower rates than Merino sheep.