Get reliable rangeland science

Woody plant encroachment (WPE) is a global problem to which browsing herbivory and pyric herbivory are potential sustainable solutions. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of goat browsing and prescribed fire to mitigate WPE on rangelands in different seral states. The effect of browsing and fire in a 2 x 2 factorial design was investigated on rangelands in different seral states, namely woodland, savanna, and grassland. The different seral states were created by mechanically removing woody plants on 2 ha areas to a canopy cover of about 20% (savanna), 5% (grassland), or no removal (woodland). Three 2 ha areas, one in each seral state, were planned to be burned annually, but we were only able to burn in two years and those burns were not effective. Weaned calves were planned to graze for 10 months at a light-moderate stocking rate of 16 ha/AUY. However, because of drought, the average stocking rate was 28 ha/AUY. Angora wether goats grazed for 6 months at an average stocking rate of 20 ha/AUY resulting in a 230% higher stocking rate on multispecies compared to single species grazed pastures. Calf average daily gain (ADG) was higher (P=0.04) on the single species treatment than the mixed species grazing (0.46 vs. 0.54 kg/day, respectively). Because lighter calves have higher market value the economic difference was less than the difference in ADG. Over the three-year study Angora fleece weight averaged 2.4 kg/hd. The value of fleece production on mixed-species grazed pastures was USD 31.60/ha, resulting in a total value of production of USD 61.44/ha compared to USD 32.26 USD/ha on single species grazed pastures. The increased stocking rate due to mixed species grazing on this study was greater than reported in other studies co-grazing goats and cattle.