The economic necessity of a better production strategy on sourveld promoted this study. Production of marketable two-tooth steers in the summer season and overwintering of all cattle without excessive feed costs were motivating factors. The problems of economic beef production were identified as resulting from the seasonal flow of forage quality from sourveld grass production. Season long rests, early burning and non-selective grazing of nutritious grass were identified as essential elements of a new utilization strategy. A 'forage reserve', built into the system to cater for fluctuations in grass production due to varied climatic conditions, is used as an indicator of the seasonal stocking rate. This provides a barometer in relation to the economic and ecological carrying capacity of the property. Research was conducted on the winter utilization of rested veld and its effects on grass species composition and vigour in the following season. It was found that the winter grazing of the rested veld did not affect (P>0.05) the subsequent production in the three seasons of this study on 'Stratherne' in the Dundee district, KwaZulu-Natal South Africa (30°17'E 28°17'S). The grass species composition of four transects was recorded in 1994, prior to the implementation of the grazing system under test. The same transects were recorded again in 2002 to determine the effect of the change in utilization on grass species composition. It was found that a more productive state was developing in response to the strategy implemented in this study. The general trend has been for sites to move from a Hyparrhenia hirta dominated state to a more productive one associated with species such as Themeda triandra. Summer mass gains of steers (147 kg and 143 kg over the two summers) have improved over the previous systems applied (average 119 kg), as a result of the more nutritious grazing. A greater proportion reached market readiness as two-year old to two and half year olds (97%) on veld, which is far superior to the 38% quoted from research using similar Bonsmara type steers from 'conventional' systems. Monitoring and flexibility are important in the application of the strategy to conditions in Africa. The principles of adaptive management (monitoring, recording, constant learning and adaptation) will build a data base to ensure long-term success of the strategy. A change of focus in grazing strategy from needs of animals to the needs of plants is strongly advocated. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

In KwaZulu-Natal the production of beef in summer from veld is a common enterprise. Many techniques are available to optimise the productivity of this enterprise, from improving the quality of the grazing resource (planted pastures) to improving the diet of animals using nutritional supplements. To gain an insight into the production potential and financial returns possible from such improvements a trial was established at the Ukulinga Research Farm during two consecutive summer growing seasons (1997-1998 and 1998-1999). The aim was to determine the optimum beef production system for the area from both veld and kikuyu pastures. To evaluate the benefits of supplying supplementary nutrition, four alternate feed supplements, namely: 1) a Standard commercially available molasses-based protein/mineral/energy supplement; 2) a Brewers grain based protein/mineral/energy supplement, and two supplements consisting of the Brewers grain ration with either; 3) Avoparcin (an additive that improves dietary energy) or 4) Bentonite (an additive that increases the bypass of protein) were compared. As stocking rate has been shown to influence the quality of the diet consumed, the kikuyu pasture was grazed at both the recommended (1.92 LSD ha¯¹) and half the recommended stocking rate for the region. In addition, a commercial hormonal implant was applied to half of the cattle in each treatment. Grazing was monitored using the falling plate disc meter to measure pasture bulk density and laboratory analyses of herbage grab samples for digestibility and crude protein percentage. Cattle were weighed on a weekly basis and their condition was scored prior to slaughter. All enterprise costs and returns were recorded to facilitate financial analyses of the five treatments. Low rainfall and high midsummer temperatures had a detrimental effect on the productivity of the grazing and hence it was difficult to optimise production in either season. In the first season, a midsummer drought decreased the quality and quantity of both veld and kikuyu, limiting mass gain during the latter part of the season. A delay in the onset of rain at the start of the second season limited the available grazing season to 121 days as opposed to 154 days, though fodder production during the season was not limited. Trends in herbage production (quality and quantity) from veld showed moderate quality (Crude protein 7.02%; digestibility 50.2%) with an average available herbage of 1670 kg DM ha¯¹. As anticipated, kikuyu had higher quality (Crude protein 10.84%; digestibility 53.5%) and available herbage (2730 kg DM ha¯¹). These results were similar to regional benchmarks. The variable rainfall highlighted both the drought tolerance of veld and the minimum water requirements of kikuyu pastures. Lighter stocking rates tended to reduce the negative impact of moisture stress on Kikuyu pastures. The best method of producing beef (averaged over two seasons) was from heavily stocked Kikuyu pastures using the Standard supplement (1107.63 kg livemass ha¯¹). Cattle grazing veld and utilising the Avoparcin supplement produced beef at a rate of 95.96 kg ha¯¹. In comparison, the unsupplemented cattle grazing Kikuyu produced 834.87 kg ha¯¹, whilst veld grazing produced 64.43 kg ha¯¹. Hormonal implants significantly (P≤0.05) improved beef production from all sources of grazing. A lack of rain limited grazing time, causing all the cattle to be marketed whilst too lean - this negatively affected live mass gain and, hence, net financial. Although improved biological production is desirable, it is important to ensure that these gains are financially sustainable. Within the trial environment, implanted cattle fed the Standard supplement and grazing Kikuyu pastures at a high stocking rate provided the highest average gross margin of R 859.59 ha¯¹. Changing to this production system from unsupplemented veld improved expected profit by R 632.58 ha¯¹ (averaged over both seasons). Further financial analyses indicated that beef purchase price had the greatest influence on the added profit from switching from the control treatment. From a scientific standpoint these data are conclusive but it is important to remember that consumer pressure and concerns can often limit the introduction of production improvements. Such is the case with both hormonal implants and antibiotic feed additives (Avoparcin) although considering the impact of such limitations is speculative and beyond the scope of this trial. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.