Desmodium: A low‐cost pasture for the eastern cape coastal region

Abstract

Desmodium intortum is well suited to the East London Coastal area for beef production under dryland conditions. Although slow to establish, satisfactory livestock production is maintained under a low fertilizer regime. Experimental results indicate stocking rates for maximum production per animal and per hectare of 0,8 and 8,2 steers (250 kg)/ha respectively.

A cost comparison between a highly fertilized Star grass pasture and a Desmodium pasture show that, while the gross margins at current beef prices favour Star grass (R2 882 and R2 052/ha/yr respectively), the returns per rand capital expenditure differ significantly (R2,29 and R10,01 respectively) in favour of Desmodium.

Uittreksel

Desmodium intortum is goed aangepas in die kusgebied van Oos‐Louden vir vleisbees produksie onder droëland toestande. Alhoewel vestiging stadig is word bevredigende diereproduksie gehandhaaf met lae kunsmistoedienings. Navorsing resultate toon dat die drakrag vir maksimum produksie per dier en per hektaar respektiewelik 0,8 en 8,2 tollies (250 kg) per hektaar is.

‘n Vergelyking in koste tussen ‘n Stergras welding met ‘n hoë kunsmistoedieningspeil en ‘n Desmodium weiding, toon ‘n bruto marge ten gunste van Stergras (R2 882 en R2 052/ha/jr onderskeidelik), maar die inkomste per rand kapitale uitgawes verskil aansienlik (R2, 29 en R10, 01 onderskeidelik) ten gunste van Desmodium.

Additional index words:

• Animal production
• Desmodium intortum
• growth requirements
• management
• production costs