يحاول ذهب - حر
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
November 22, 2024
|Farmer's Weekly
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
The massive herds of grazers on the African savannahs and grasslands, and the large herds of bison that once roamed the plains of North America, continuously on the move in search of fresh feed and relentlessly chased by pack hunters, provide fascinating images of nature.
But to what extent can high-density grazing (HDG) be regarded as a true representation of grazing patterns in natural ecosystems? HDG aims to regenerate veld by improving soil and vegetation productivity and diversity. It's often taken for granted that HDG leads to favourable environmental outcomes like enhanced on-farm biodiversity because of its relationship with nature.
More recently, HDG systems have been promoted in the regenerative agriculture movement and as a tool to mitigate climate change through soil carbon sequestration.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GRAZING BEHAVIOUR
While HDG in semi-arid grasslands may increase organic matter in the upper part of the soil profile, it may also result in soil compaction, reduced soil aggregate stability, and decreased soil moisture.
Further, the impact of grazing on soil organic carbon levels is site-specific and affected by precipitation, temperature, and soil texture.
To study the relationship between grazing systems and climate change mitigation, the additional methane and nitrous oxide emissions arising from increased livestock densities should also be taken into account.
هذه القصة من طبعة November 22, 2024 من Farmer's Weekly.
اشترك في Magzter GOLD للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة، وأكثر من 9000 مجلة وصحيفة.
هل أنت مشترك بالفعل؟ تسجيل الدخول
المزيد من القصص من Farmer's Weekly
Farmer's Weekly
A path of accelerating land reform in South Africa
Delivering the ANC's January 8th Statement a few weeks ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa noted, amongst other things, that: “Land reform remains one of the most urgent tasks of the National Democratic Revolution. While progress has been made, much more is required to give effect to the constitutional requirement for redress and equitable access to land.”
2 mins
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Reflections on 2025 and the policy space for 2026
The year 2025 was a year characterised initially by a wave of misinformation, particularly relating to legislation and tariff issues. This year some big moves are expected in the trade space.
3 mins
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
From planning to peak lay: building a profitable egg business
Mpumalanga poultry farmer Lebogang Mashego spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel, and shared practical insights on planning, building systems that work, breed choice, feed management, and markets to build a profitable and sustainable egg business.
5 mins
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Geely is intent on hanging around
Having fallen off the radar around a decade ago following a short local stint, Chinese manufacturer Geely has announced its proposed return to South Africa towards the end of 2026. The Citizen's Jaco van der Merwe reports.
4 mins
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Great reads to enjoy during ‘me-time'
Patricia McCracken has plucked an assortment of fascinating titles covering different areas of interest, from coastal exploration and dining in the wild, to African traditions surrounding love and marriage.
3 mins
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
South Africa's famous wandering hippo
From 1928 to 1931, a hippopotamus trekked 1 600km from what was then northern Natal to the Eastern Cape's Keiskamma River near Peddie, where it was shot dead by a posse of farmers. As Mike Burgess writes, this journey would immortalise the hippo in South African history.
3 mins
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The heroics of fighter Gideon Scheepers
The execution by the British of a young Boer commandant is seen by many as a miscarriage of justice. He was captured after he fell seriously ill and was unable to flee. Graham Jooste reported.
6 mins
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
How coral reefs can help combat hunger
With the global population reaching 8,3 billion, scientists are increasingly looking to the oceans to solve burgeoning food security crises.
1 min
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Zimbabwe's dairy industry on the rebound
According to government officials, Zimbabwe's dairy industry is well on its way to revitalisation and modernisation.
2 mins
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
What a West African palm oil project reveals about SA's readiness for EU rules
As EU sustainability rules tighten, compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation is fast becoming a commercial requirement for South African agricultural exporters. A recently digitised palm oil supply chain in Sierra Leone now offers practical lessons on moving from policy to practice, writes Octavia Avesca Spandiel.
2 mins
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size

