The SPUR (simulation of production and utilization of rangelands) model was evaluated for use on eastern hill land pastures. The model was calibrated using the first year of soil fertility, weather, and animal data collected from a four-year study involving crossbred beef cattle grazing tall fescue. Calibration involved adjusting of plant inputs for maximum photosynthetic rate, leaf area index, root to shoot ratio, and the effect of trampling on biomass. Once calibrated, SPUR was used to simulate animal weight gains and biomass production using data collected in the last three years of the study. Simulated animal gains agreed well with the observed animal gains. However, simulated plant biomass did not agree with observed plant biomass.
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.