Grazing habits were determined by analysis of rumina from slaughtered Springbok and sheep whore Springbok grazed together with Merino sheep in False Upper Karoo and together with Dorper sheep in Kalahari Thornveld. Results show that in both veld types, grass constituted about 39 percent of the dry mass intake of Springbok, the balance being obtained from bushes. Dorper sheep took 65 percent and Merino sheep 75 percent grass in their feed, Both species of animal took a great variety of grasses. In 47 samples from sheep and 105 from Springbok collected over three years, no seasonal variation of feeding habits was detectable. In total, 78 species of grasses were identified in the rumina, 72 from one farm and 38 from the other. Competition exists for two of the commonest grasses on one farm and for five grasses on the other.
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.