In the winter rainfall region of South Africa, browse, such as shrubs and dwarf shrubs, is vital fodder for animals during the dry season. However, understanding how much fodder these shrubs can provide sustainably is limited. Existing methods for measuring browse production are insufficient for shrubs in this region. This study focused on Roepera morgsana, a common but less palatable shrub in the Succulent Karoo biome. The objectives were to find the minimum measurements needed to estimate canopy volume (C Vol) and its correlation with leaf dry matter (LDM). The study was conducted at Nortier Research Farm near Lambert's Bay, selecting 25 healthy, non-browsed plants. Seven measurements, including total height and canopy diameter were taken before harvesting. After harvesting, plant material was divided into edible and non-edible parts, dried, and weighed. CVol was determined using various methods, and Pearson's correlation was used to find the best formula to describe LDM. Results showed that CVol based on th ree measurements (total height and canopy diameter) using Penderis' formula provided the best estimation of LDM (p < 0.0001). An exponential regression model best predicted LDM from CVol (p < 0.0001), offering a reliable non-destructive method for estimating browse availability from R. morgsana. This research contributes to better understanding the browse production of shrubs in winter rainfall regions, providing land managers with a valuable tool for veld management. Moreover, it lays the groundwork for developing similar models for other shrub species, enhancing the sustainability of fodder resources for browsing animals in these regions.
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