The botanical composition of the diet of oesophageally fistualated Dorper and Merino sheep, Boer goats and Afrikaner cattle, grazing a mixed Karoo veld, was determined quarterly. The botanical composition of the diets were determined by means of a microscope point survey. The large stock concentrated mainly on the grass component and the small stock mainly on karoo bushes, herbaceous plants and to a lesser extent on grass. The largest degree of similarity in the diets of the groups was during spring (approximately 35%), and the largest differences during summer and winter (approximately 28% similarity). Animal unit equivalents, incorporating dietary overlap are calculated for the four animal types.
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.