A study of the utilization of climax grassveld by sheep in the central Orange Free State revealed a preference for certain species. The selection pattern differed very little from summer to winter unless material of preferred species became scarce and the animals were forced to graze proportionately more of the less palatable species. In calculating the corrected species importance the customary correction for presence (percentage frequency) was made, as well as corrections for dry matter production per cm2 basal cover and for quality (crude protein and digestible organic matter content). These correction factors facilitated a more reliable value of the relative importance of the different species being obtained.
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.