The relationships between the long term average rainfall and the long term grazing capacity of the dry areas (rainfall 100 to 560 mm per year) of South Africa are investigated. The grazing capacity zones as recommended by the Department of Agriculture are used as production criteria. With the aid of rainfall records, the average long term rainfall for the various grazing capacity zones were calculated. The relationship between the average rainfall and average grazing capacity is positively correlated (r = +0,918 to r = + 0,988) and is well described by regression equations of the second and third order. The possible uses of the relationships are discussed.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.