Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Grasses grazed by springbok and sheep
Author
Liversidge, R.
Publisher
Proceedings of the Annual Congresses of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa
Publication Year
1972
Body

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.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Journal Name
Proceedings of the Annual Congresses of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa
Keywords
Africa