Pasture quality and its relation to utilization

Abstract

The paper evaluates those functions of the grazing‐animal/pasture complex which are influenced by management. The contribution of pasturage to animal production is determined primarily by environment and secondarily by defoliation. In pasture quality evaluation, those approaches which employ both digestibility and intake as basic criteria are generally closely related to animal response. In equating grassland production with animal requirements the determinants of output per animal and output per area must be considered in the perspective of the production system as a whole. The essential influence of grazing method on carrying capacity is stressed and it is suggested that grazing management of natural pasture be based on (i) a knowledge of the contribution of individual species to animal production, (ii) defoliation practice which encourages the most nutritious species and (iii) the introduction of improved pasture species.

UITTREKSEL

Die referaat evalueer daardie funksies van die deer/ weiding kompleks wat deur weidingsbeheer beïnvloed word. Binne die ekosisteem word die bydrae van nutuurlike weiding bepaal primêr deur omgewingskontrole en sekondêr deur ontblaringspraklyk. In weidingskwaliteit evaluasie is daardie benaderings wat beide ver‐teerbaarheid en inname as basiese kriteria gebruik, algemeen die nouste met diereproduksie gekoppel. In die aanpassing van graaveld produksie by die behoefte van die dier, moel daardie faktore wat produksie per dier en produksie per cenheid oppervlakte binne die pcrspektief van die produksiestelsel as geheel oorweeg word. Die basiese invioed van beweidingstelsel op drakrag word beklemtoon. Daar word voorgestel dat wetenskaplike beheer van natuurlike weiveld, gebaseer word op (i) ‘n kennis van die bydrae van individuele spesies tot diereproduksie, (ii) ontblaringspraktyke wat die mees voedsame spesies aanmoedig en (iii) die oorsaai van verbeterde weiplante in die veld.