Gssa Congress53 Proceedings Final

53rd Annual Congress of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa
53rd Annual Congress

incorporating the
NINTH RESEARCH SKILLS WORKSHOP

and a
POLICY AND PRACTICE WORKSHOP
Advancing Rangeland Ecology and Pasture Management in Africa
ARC Training Centre, Pretoria District, Gauteng, South Africa
22 to 27 July 2018
Programme Compiled and edited by Janke van der Colf

Table of Contents
Congress 53 Detailed Programme
Sunday, 22 July 2018 3

Monday, 23 July 2018 3
Tuesday, 24 July 2018 4
Wednesday, 25 July 2018 5
Thursday, 26 July 2018 6
Friday, 27 July 2018 9
Congress Organising Committee 10
Grassland Society of Southern Africa: 2017/18 Council 11
Thank you to our sponsors 12

Awards and adjudication guidelines 13
Abstracts
22 July to 23 July 2018
Research Skills Workshop 18
Tuesday. 24 July 2018
Opening Plenary Session: Climate Change 24
Parallel A: Climate Change 25
Parallel B: Rangeland Stewardship in Communal Farming Landscapes– Innovative Models for 28
Policy and Planning
Climate Change continued 29
Advances in Methodology 32
Wednesday, 25 July 2018

Parallel A: Rangeland Ecology and Management 34
Parallel B: Planted Pasture 37
Standard Poster Viewing Session 40
Parallel A: Rangeland Ecology and Management 47
Parallel B: Dedicated Poster Session for Planted Pasture 50
Land Transformation and Rehabilitation 57
Research Proposal Poster Session 61
Thursday, 26 July 2018
Parallel A:
Feeding Ecology 69
Livestock Impacts on Rangelands 71
Bush Encroachment 72
Fire Ecology 73
Conservation of Rangelands 75
Primary Production of Rangelands 76
Friday, 27 July 2018
Policy and Practices Workshop: Ecological Infrastructure 86
List of Delegates 89
2
Sunday, 22 July 09:00 to 17:00
09:00-09:40 Registration for Research Skills Workshop
Research Skills Workshop

09:40 Opening and welcome Clement Cupido
10:00 Where we end up – choosing a career path Julius Tjelele
10:30 The research question Wayne Twine
11:00 How to plan and construct a thesis Abel Ramoelo
11:30-12:00 MORNING TEA
12:00 Data management – making it easier for you Victoria Goodall
12:30 Overcoming the publishing obstacle Wayne Twine
13:00-14:00 LUNCH
14:00 Oral presentations: how to effectively give them using PowerPoint Adrian Shrader
14:30 Ten tips for designing the perfect poster Adrian Shrader
15:00-15:00 AFTERNOON TEA
Ntuthuko Mkhize/
15:30 Networking, management and collaboration in research institutions
Clement Cupido
16:30 Practical: Organising and manipulating data in Excel Justin Du Toit
Monday, 23 July 08:30 to 19:15
Sicklebush Tour to Bela-Bela departs at 09:00

Research Skills Workshop
08:30 Writing for popular publications Amelia Genis
10:30 Practical: The research question (continued) Wayne Twine
11:30 Managing finance and admin in the science world Freyni Du Toit
12:00 Practical: Photography in the field Justin Du Toit
13:00-14:00 LUNCH
14:00 Sourcing research articles, referencing, and avoiding plagiarism Denise Nicholson
15:30 Smartphones and android apps for fieldwork Clement Cupido
16:30 Feedback session
Opening of the 53rd Annual Congress of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa
Welcome Julius Tjelele
18:00 Presidential address Sigrun Ammann
Corteva AgriScience - solutions for bush encroachment Jaco Fouche
Opening address: A long term grazing capacity map for South Africa: used, misused and abused Paul Avenant
19:15 MEET AND GREET AT CONGRESS VENUE
3
Tuesday, 24 July 08:30 to
Plenary: Climate Change

08:30 Keynote: Bush encroachment on South Africa's grasslands - is it a form of land degradation? Barney Kgope
Keynote: Practical agricultural approaches to building climate resilience in South African range and Stephanie
09:15
pasture systems Midgley
Parallel B: Rangeland
Stewardship in Communal
Parallel A: Climate Change
Farming Landscapes - Innovative
Models for Policy and Planning
10:30 Introduction Mahlodi Tau
Keynote: Net primary production in South
10:30 African grasslands: relationship to rainfall, Bob Scholes Sustainable land Lehman
10:35
soil type and history management Lindeque
10:45 Meat naturally Nicky McLeod
Effect of simulated drought on annual net Comments from Kedibone

11:15 Thabo Magandana 11:00
primary productivity of semi-arid grassland DAFF Chueu
Plants and soil carbon-nitrogen
Facilitated Discussion
sequestration and isotope ratios in relation
11:35 Absalom Kahumba
to land management systems and seasons
in Mopane savannah, Namibia Cynics and believers?
The effect of elevated temperatures on Vision for communal rangelands in South

11:55 growth and defense of Vachellia sieberiana Lusanda Ncisana Africa?
grown with or without grass What can’t we do alone exercise?
Way forward?
Effects of high temperatures on emergence,
Florence Nherera-
12:15 growth, and forage quality of a perennial
Chokuda
sorghum for supplementing dairy cows in
12:35-13:35 LUNCH
Plenary: Climate Change

Keynote: Sustainable livestock production in the era of climate change through targeted
13:35 Michiel Scholtz
interventions
Josef Van
14:20 High concentrate feeding level reduces enteric methane emissions of grazing dairy cows
Wyngaard
14:40 Climate smart livestock management and feeding options for small-scale farmers: A review Unathi Gulwa
The provision of shade alleviates heat stress of neonatal lambs but does not benefit growth or
15:00 Anieka Muller
survival
Plenary: Advances in Methodology
15:50 Measuring carbon and water fluxes in the Albany Thicket, Eastern Cape Anthony
Christiaan
16:10 Multi-spectral, high resolution remote sensing imagery in agricultural management and -sciences
Harmse
Predicting potential livestock distribution patterns in the communal rangelands of Cala, Eastern Qawekazi
16:30
Cape, South Africa: A GIS approach Mkabile
17:00 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE GRASSLAND SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

4
19:00 BRAAI AT THE GREEN OLIVE RESTAURANT
Wednesday, 25 July 08:30 to 11:15

Parallel A: Rangeland Ecology and
Parallel B: Planted Pastures
Management
Importance of the southern African
08:35 members of tribe Phaseoleae Letty Masemola
(Leguminosae) in pasture development
Keynote: Karoo trajectories of
08:30 Joh Henschel Community composition and diversity of
change in the Anthropocene
endophytic fungi associated with
08:55 Leah Gachao
Brachiaria grass (Brachiaria spp.)
during the dry season in Kenya
Understanding the resilience of the The effect of planting date on yield and
09:15 Karoo shrub, Nenax microphylla, to Paul Malan 09:15 botanical composition of forage herb Sigrun Ammann
water availability and defoliation and grass mixtures
Long-term interactions of grazing

A new nitrogen fertilisation regime for
and rainfall on vegetation
09:35 Justin Du Toit 09:35 minimum-tillage kikuyu-ryegrass Charné Viljoen
composition at Grootfontein in the
pasture in the southern Cape
eastern Karoo
The effect of different nitrogen

The effect of human impact on
application rates on the dry matter
habitat use of selected large Janke Van Der
09:55 Hanno Kilian 09:55 production and botanical composition of
herbivore species in the eastern Colf
kikuyu over-sown with grass-legume
Kalahari, South Africa
mixtures
10:15-11:15 MORNING TEA AND POSTER SESSION
Climate Change
Adaptation ranges under future bioclimatic conditions of Indigofera and Lessertia species prioritised for further Francuois
evaluation as forage crops for water-limited agro-ecosystems Müller
Browse plants as a protein source during the dry season in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa Siza Mthi
Bush Encroachment
Response of soil aggregate stability on different levels of bush encroachment at Honeydale Farm, Alice in Eastern
Tanki Thubela
Cape (Preliminary results)
Evaluating the impact of bush encroachment on soil nutrient content at Sheshegu communal rangeland, Alice,
Sive Tokozwayo
South Africa
Advances in Methodology
Performance of ratio-based, soil-adjusted and atmospheric-corrected multispectral vegetation indices in predicting Abubeker
herbaceous above ground biomass in a Colophospermum mopane tree-shrub savanna Hassen
Feeding Ecology
Ngoako
Bite sizes of goats in relation to condensed tannins, thorns and other plant characteristics
Letsoalo
The behaviour and diet selection of extralimital giraffe in the Little Karoo, South Africa Jamie Paulse
Socio-Ecological Studies
Cynthia Fikile
The knowledge and perception of small holder farmers concerning feeding sweet potato vines to goats
Luthuli
Land Transformation and Rehabilitation
A maize pasture legume intercropping system for the abandoned lands of the Eastern Cape. How much nitrogen
Gideon Jordaan
is available for the maize crop?
The effect of an accidental Spring fire on the survival rate of legumes sprayed with herbicide in a rehabilitated old Craig
land Threthewey
Livestock Impacts on Rangelands
Effect of high utilization grazing and controlled selective grazing on veld condition in the Sourish Mixed Bushveld Marsia Grobler
Rangeland Ecology and Management
Species composition and diversity in protected areas and adjacent grazing lands in Gauteng Province, South Moseketsi
Africa Mochesane
5

Parallel B: Planted Pastures: Dedicated
Parallel A: Rangeland Ecology and Management
Poster Session
Evaluation of dry matter yields and
Msawenkosi
Herbaceous and woody vegetation production trends of nine cultivars from four
Fano Msomi
response to land management practices Absalom tropical grass species
11:15
and seasons in Mopane savannah, Kahumba The relative dry matter yield potential of
Namibia various early-, medium- and late-flowering Patrick Rakau
forage cereal cultivars
Climatic and edaphic tolerance of southern Marike
African species of Indigofera (Leguminosae) Trytsman
Tree grass interactions across a topo- John Oversowing Italian ryegrass (Lolium
11:35 multiflorum var. Supreme Q) into irrigated
sequence in an African savanna Mhlanga
kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) for Donna Berjak
improved timing and quality of fodder
production
Does seed size, emergence rate and vigour

Norman
relate to variation in productivity of winter
Relative abundance of palatable and Modau
cereals in relation drought in the
unpalatable herbaceous species on a Motlalepula Mpumalanga Highveld Magoro
11:55
conservation to communal savannah Nchoe
rangeland gradient High atmospheric drought exacerbates the
Solomon
effects of growth under moderate soil water
Mwendia
content in Guinea grasses
Effect of fibre content on the in vitro dry
Sanele Jiyana
matter degradability of feedlot diets
Long term performance of Afrino sheep
Christiaan Effects of bio-digestate application on Vigna
12:15 under different stocking densities within Florence
Harmse unguiculata and Pennisetum purpureum
the Upper Karoo shrubland, South Africa Nherera-
pastures on lignification rate of stem and leaf
Chokuda
carbohydrate and structural protein fractions
The impact on wool production yield of

grazing Dohne Merino sheep on Bidens
Petros Khoza
pilosa (Black jack) infested pastures in the
Highveld
Species composition and biomass

Exploring the potential value of grazing Gareth production in two communal coastal Sinethemba
12:35
lawns in rangeland ecosystems Hempson rangelands of the Eastern Cape Province, Matshawule
South Africa
Effect of fresh lucerne and concentrate Portia

supplementation on milk production of Mamothaladi
Jersey cows grazing Kikuyu pasture in spring Moshidi
12:55-13:55 LUNCH
Plenary: Land Transformation and Rehabilitation

13:55 Can ecosystems recover successfully without human intervention? Degraded vs natural grassland Nobuhle Mweli
Working for Water prioritisation plan: Towards a strategy for management of invasive aliens for the Sukhmani
14:15
Tsitsa River catchment, Eastern Cape Mantel
Antoinette
14:35 The characteristics of the Matlabas Mire, Limpopo province: Implications for conservation management
Bootsma
Stuart
14:55 Seed mix type and planting method do affect restored grassland diversity
Demmer
Seedling growth of different grasses grown on mine soil from a disturbed area watered with solutions of Mziwanda
15:15
varying salinity (NaCl) Mangwane
Lindokuhle
15:35 Effect of vetiver grass competition and soil nutrient status on native grasses
Xolani Dlamini
6

15:55-17:00 Research Proposal Session and Afternoon Tea
An ecological study of Tarchonanthus camphoratus (camphor bush) in the Northern Cape Province of
Imke Jutta Stehn
South Africa
Assessing livestock grazing distribution on communal rangelands of Cata and Guquka, Eastern Cape,
Thantaswa Zondani
South Africa
Determining the BCS (Body Condition Scoring) of giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) in different farming Amaria Janse van
systems Rensburg
Determining the status and development of a conservation plan for giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis Cara-Anne van der
giraffa) in South Africa Merwe
Drought resistance and recovery of forage legumes in the genera Medicago and Trifolium Francuois Müller
Effect of translocations on the faecal glucocorticoid metabolism levels of Giraffa camelopardalis Ciska P.J. Scheijen
Exploitation of Seriphium plumosum woody plants and pasture-based feed ingredients for improvement
Motswapo Phoko
of growth rate, carcass and meat quality of South African Free Range Beef
Lucerne cultivar evaluations under subtropical conditions Francuois Müller
Christoff van der
Management strategies to support sustainable production of lucerne in long-rotation cropping systems
Westhuizen
Objective calculation of a resilience score, using ungulates, plants and soils as indicators Wesley Black
Mapping pattern and spatial distribution of Seriphium plumosum (Slangbos) invasive species using
Mduduzi Ndlovu
sentinel 2 imagery in Gauteng province, South Africa
The diversity-stability debate: Do we know the underlying mechanisms? Stuart Demmer
The evaluation of bush clearing at Melton LIC, North West province Ernest Mokua
Nonkwekhwezi Princess
The use of remote sensing to predict Seriphium plumosum encroachment susceptibility
Myeki
18:30 PIZZA & QUIZ AT CRAZY BUSHMAN RESTAURANT
Thursday, 26 July 08:00 to 10:00
Parallel B: Feeds and Forage, with a

Parallel A: Feeding Ecology
Focus on the Forage Seed Value Chain
The influence of phenology on browse
availability for game species in a semi- Feeds and Forages in the Livestock CGIAR Michael
08:00 Marnus Smit
arid environment of the Northern Cape Research Program Peters
province
Leafhoppers associated with grasses Michael

08:20 An update on the Global Strategy for the
and shrubs in South Africa Stiller
Conservation and Utilisation of Tropical and Chris Jones
Subtropical Forage Genetic Resources
Parallel A: Livestock Impacts on Rangelands
Distribution and botanical composition of
grass species in relation to distance from Ayanda Forage seed systems in eastern Africa: Solomon
08:40
the fence-line in six communal grazing Kwaza challenges and opportunities Mwendia
lands located on three soil types
Soil chemical and physical status in Farmers' perception on the causes of feed
Nobuntu
relation to distance from the fence-line in Ayanda shortage and the fear of cost of establishing
09:00 Matyholo-
six semi-arid communal grazing lands Kwaza leguminous pastures under small-scale
Mapeyi
and impact of exclosure farming system
Communal livestock management for

09:20 rehabilitation and livelihood outcomes: Helen Fox Adoption of improved forage legume Shirleen
progress up to date technologies by communal farmers in Fungisai
Zimbabwe Mushapaidze
Parallel A: Bush Encroachment
Effects of Seriphium plumosum Susannah
Value chain analysis of forage seed in Irenie
09:40 densification on grassland vegetation at Cleo
smallholder systems of Zimbabwe Chakoma
Telperion, Mpumalanga, South Africa Patrocinio
7
10:00 to
Thursday, 26 July 18:30
Parallel B: Feeds and Forage, with a

Parallel A: Fire Ecology
Focus on the Forage Seed Value Chain
Initial investigation of the effects of
prescribed burning on the incidence of LD Van Breeding for late flowering and improved
10:30 Patrick Rakau
ticks in a moist savanna community in Essen leaf and root yield in fodder radish
the Lowveld of South Africa
Pyro-hydrological interactions in African Tercia Brachiaria grass for livestock feed

10:50 Sita Ghimire
savanna soils Strydom security in sub-Saharan Africa
The effect of season, fire and slope

position on Seriphium plumosum L.
11:10 Hosia Pule Goat feeds and feeding systems in semi-
forage quality in South African Takudzwa
grassland communities arid smallholder farming system in
Charambira
Zimbabwe
Parallel A: Conservation of Rangelands
Evaluation of dry season fodder
The Gauteng Biodiversity Stewardship Christina supplements on the performance of Tafadzwa
11:30
Programme Seegers goats grazed on natural veld in a semi- Zvakumbirwa
arid area of Zimbabwe
The Greater Limpopo Transfrontier

Value chain analysis of goats in
11:50 Conservation Area: implications for Mike Peel Sikhalazo Dube
Beitbridge district of Zimbabwe
multiple land use objectives
Qualitative and quantitative nutritional

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Debbie
12:10 parameters of different feed sorghum Inge Neumann
in conservation Jewitt
cultivars for ruminants
The development of an alien and Moleseng

12:30 invasive taxa list for regulation in South Moshoban
Africa e
Parallel A: Primary Production in Rangelands

Effects of elevated ambient and soil
temperature on above-ground Thembeka Facilitated discussion led by Session Chair
12:50
productivity of high altitude grassland of Mvelase
South Africa
Grass species composition, distribution

Thabile
and biomass production potential in
13:10 Joyce
selected communal rangelands in
Mokgakane
Msukaligwa municipality
13:30-14:30 LUNCH
14:30 Mid-Congress Practical Sessions and Tours

Cobus Grass and herbaceous species
Soil assessment and analysis Caroline Mashau
Botha identification
Leslie
Tree measurements: VOLCALC workshop Veld condition assessments Tony Swemmer
Brown
Sigrun Ammann
Jaco
Herbicide application Pasture measurement & Janke van der
Fouche
Colf
Practical parasite control on pastures: Famacha in Gareth Ecological Infrastructure tour: Colbyn Mahlodi Tau &
small stock Bath Wetland John Dini
18:30 GALA DINNER AT PUMULANI LODGE
8
Friday, 27 July 09:00 to 13:00
Policy and Practice Workshop: Ecological Infrastructure
SESSION OUTCOME: Understanding of the EI concept, its various types and

functions and how they relate to the agriculture and rangeland sector,
recommendations for policy and practice and research outcomes
09:00 Welcome and introductions Catherine Hughes
Introduction to the ecological infrastructure concept and

09:10 Mahlodi Tau
its evolution in South Africa
Investing in Ecological Infrastructure: Opportunities to

09:30 Dan’sile Cindi
influence agricultural planning and policy
09:50 The value of spatial information for the agricultural sector Paul Avenant
10:10 Supporting social change for improved water stewardship David Lindley
10:30 Real world policy changes in the agriculture/water context Richard Meissner
10:50 Introduction to the next session John Dini
11:00 – 11:30 MORNING TEA
Open discussion – coherent recommendations on EI policy and practice and

11:30
research agenda from the various sectors. Areas of focus going forward.
12:45 Closure and wrap-up
9
Congress Organising Committee
Julius Tjelele Agricultural Research Council
Rouxdene Deysel Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Ntuthuko Mkhize Agricultural Research Council
Lucas Letsoalo Agricultural Research Council
Abel Ramoelo Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Gilbert Pule Agricultural Research Council
Kedibone Chueu DAFF - Animal Production
Florence Nherera-Chokuda Agricultural Research Council
Claude Muya Agricultural Research Council
Abubeker Hassen University of Pretoria
Una-Lou Jordaan Agricultural Research Council
Zelda King Agricultural Research Council
Khanyisile Mbatha UNISA
Mahlodi Tau South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
Alan Short Themeda Eco Consulting
Mduduzi Ndlovu Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE:
Igshaan Samuels Agricultural Research Council
Janke van der Colf Western Cape Department of Agriculture
Josef van Wyngaard Western Cape Department of Agriculture
Sigrun Ammann Western Cape Department of Agriculture
Tony Swemmer SAEON
Florence Nherera-Chokuda Agricultural Research Council
Ralph Clark Afromontane Research Unit / University of the Free State
Ntuthuko Mkhize Agricultural Research Council
Rouxdene Deysel Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Melvin Swarts Agricultural Research Council
Abubeker Hassen University of Pretoria
Pieter Swanpoel Stellenbosch University
Wayne Twine University of the Witwatersrand
10
Grassland Society of Southern Africa: 2017/18 Council
PRESIDENT Sigrun Ammann
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Julius Tjelele
VICE PRESIDENT Tony Swemmer
HONORARY SECRETARY Heleen Els
HONORARY TREASURER Linda Kleyn
SCIENTIFIC EDITOR Pieter Swanepoel
PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Josef van Wyngaard
WEBSITE EDITOR Charné Viljoen
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER Janke van der Colf
ADDITIONAL MEMBER (ASSISTANT PUBLICATIONS EDITOR) Malissa Murphy
ADDITIONAL MEMBER (ASSISTANT PUBLICATIONS EDITOR) Christiaan Harmse
ADDITIONAL MEMBER (FUNDRAISING) Justin du Toit
ADDITIONAL MEMBER (ASSISTANT WEBSITE EDITOR) John Mupangwa
CHAIRPERSON OF TRUST Rina Grant
CHAIRPERSON OF ORGANISING COMMITTEE Julius Tjelele
11
Thank you to our sponsors
12
AWARDS
ADJUDICATION FORMS ARE INCLUDED ON THE CONGRESS APP FOR SMARTPHONES AND IPHONES. WE
APPEAL TO ALL THE DELEGATES TO COMPLETE THESE FOR PRESENTATIONS THAT THEY ATTEND AND
ASSIST IN THE JUDGING PROCESS .
PLATFORM PRESENTATIONS
Each year the Society awards a medal and certificate for the following categories, based on platform presentations:
• Best Presentation
• Best Presentation by a Young Scientist.
• The Norman Rethman Planted Pastures Award

Congress delegates are asked to help in this process by judging the platform presentations. The primary objective of these
awards is to encourage and promote the standard of presentation of papers at the Congress. Platform presentations are expected
to last for no more than 15 minutes and the audience and presenter are then provided with a five minute question and answer
period.
To qualify for the Best Presentation by a Young Scientist award, the presenter should meet one of the following criteria:
• be under the age of 35 at the start of the Congress, or

• have given seven or less presentations at prestigious scientific meetings, or
• have done seven or less years of work in the respective discipline associated with their presentation.
NB: Any person wishing to be considered for the Best Presentation by a Young Scientist award should enter their name
with the Congress administrator before the start of the Congress.
Session chairs should preferably appoint the adjudicators for the presentations in their session several hours before the session
begins. Each platform presentation should be adjudicated by as many judges as possible, but session chairs should appoint at
least four judges per presentation. Completed adjudication sheets should be collected by the session chair following the
session and handed to the Congress administrator for data entry purposes.
Adjudicators give a value (1-10) to each of four questions. Considerable guidance is provided here to try to reduce variation.
Additionally, judges are asked to indicate whether the subject of the presentation lies within their own interests. These values
should provide some interesting patterns that will help us to be fairer in following years. Space is given for general comments
about the presentation and these may be used in the case of a tie occurring but also to provide general feedback to the
presenters. An example of an adjudication sheet follows on the next page.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
STANDARD POSTERS WILL BE VIEWED DURING THE TEA AND POSTER SESSIONS DURING WHICH TIME
PRESENTERS CAN INTERACT WITH DELEGATES ABOUT THEIR WORK.
An award is also given to the Best Poster on display during the Congress. Congress delegates are asked to assist in judging
this award according to certain criteria which are given on the adjudication sheet. The Best Research Proposal Poster will be
judged by an appointed panel of adjudicators.
Session chairs must appoint the adjudicators for the presentations in their session several hours before the session begins.
Each poster should be judged both BEFORE the oral presentation begins, i.e. before the session starts, and during the oral
presentation. Each poster presentation should be adjudicated by as many judges as possible, but session chairs should appoint
at least four judges per presentation. Completed adjudication sheets should be collected by the session chair following the
session and handed to the Congress administrator for data entry purposes.
Essentially a poster should convey its primary message concisely, preferably within a three minute reading time. Adjudicators
give a value (1-10) to each of four questions relating to the physical poster and to one question relating to the oral presentation.
Considerable guidance is provided here to try to reduce variation. Additionally, judges are asked to indicate whether the subject
of the presentation lies within their own interests. These values should provide some interesting patterns that will help us to be
fairer in following years. Space is given for general comments about the presentation and these may be used in the case of a tie
occurring but also to provide general feedback to the presenters. An example of a poster adjudication sheet follows after the
platform adjudication sheet.
NB: PLEASE NOTE THAT ADJUDICATION RESULTS ARE SENT TO PRESENTERS FOLLOWING THE END OF THE
CONGRESS – SO POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS ARE ENCOURAGED!!
13
GSSA ANNUAL CONGRESS PLATFORM PRESENTATION ADJUDICATION SHEET

Session Name:
Presentation Title:
Presenter Name:
One The speaker’s interaction with the audience was (CIRCLE YOUR SCORE):
1
A Worse than I’d expect at this congress (no eye contact, stood with back to audience, did not speak audibly, etc)
2
3
B Slightly below average – the speaker was not too bad, but needs to work on presentation skills.
4
5
C Normal – I’d expect most presentations to be of this quality
6
7
D Slightly above average – not a perfect presentation, but enjoyable
8
9
E Better than I’d expect at this congress (the speaker had a very good rapport with the audience)
10
Two The quality of the visual aids was (CIRCLE YOUR SCORE):
1
A Worse than I’d expect (too little/much information, too many/few, writing too small, pictures/graphs unclear, etc.)
2
3
B Slightly below average – visual aids were not bad, but could use some work.
4
5
C Normal – visual aids were understandable and supportive, and what I’d expect.
6
7
D Slightly above average – visual aids on average were as I’d expect, but some of them stood out nicely
8
Better than I’d expect (the visual aids supported the presentation but did not distract the viewer, were exciting, gave me 9
E
ideas on how I should structure visual aids in future) 10
Three The supporting evidence (data, case studies, reviews, etc.) was (CIRCLE YOUR SCORE):
Worse than I’d expect (too few data to draw conclusions, inappropriate analysis of data, omission of other important 1
A
studies, poorly explained, over-complicated) 2
3
B Slightly below average – the evidence generally held together, but there were some problems
4
5
C Normal – the conclusions were supported by evidence and I understood what was going on
6
7
D Slightly above average - similar to most presentations, but some of the information was particularly valuable
8
Better than I’d expect (complex ideas presented clearly, appropriate and interesting graphs, thorough reviews of other 9
E
studies, clear link between data, theory and conclusions) 10
Four The overall value to the congress of this presentation was (CIRCLE YOUR SCORE):
1
A Low (the talk did not contribute significantly to the session; perhaps should have been presented as a poster)
2
3
B Slightly below average – valuable, but perhaps not to this audience, or the quality was a bit below average
4
5
C Normal (this is the type of presentation I’d expect at this congress)
6
7
D Slightly above average – similar to most other presentations, but more presentations should emulate this one
8
9
E High (this contributed more than most other presentations)
10
Five The subject of this presentation is (TICK ONE):
A Relatively foreign to me – many of the issues that are being discussed fall outside my experience and interests
B Relatively familiar to me – while I do not consider myself an expert in this field, I have an interest in the subject
C My area of direct interest – I am highly familiar with the subject, and I have direct experience in this field
GENERAL COMMENTS RELATING TO THIS PLATFORM PRESENTATION:
14
GSSA ANNUAL CONGRESS POSTER PRESENTATION ADJUDICATION SHEET

Session Name:
Presentation Title:
Presenter Name:
One The length and detail of the poster were (TICK ONE):
A Too brief and lacking in detail
B Just right – I could read and understand it in 3 minutes or less
C Too busy, took too long to read and understand
Two Poster presentation, i.e. colours, font size, use of graphs and pictures, etc. was (CIRCLE YOUR SCORE 1 - 10):
1
A Terrible – this poster gave me a headache, and I could not work out what was going on
2
3
B Below average – I could see what was going on, but some editing would really have improved things
4
5
C Average – most of the posters at this congress have this quality presentation
6
7
D Above average – fonts, colours, and pictures are well presented, and allow rapid appraisal and understanding
8
9
E Spectacular - this should be used as an example of how to do a poster
10
Three The scientific content of the poster (CIRCLE YOUR SCORE):
1
A Zero – the scientific content of this poster is totally unconvincing. Most information is wrong
2
3
B Below average –too little information, faulty reasoning, statistics and/or results are flawed
4
5
C Average – the information in this poster is what I would expect from this congress
6
7
D Above average – the information here is interesting, exciting, and made me think
8
9
E Fantastic – very interesting, publishable results
10
Four The overall value to the congress of this presentation was (CIRCLE YOUR SCORE):
1
A Non-existent (no relevance to this type of congress)
2
3
B Low (the poster did not contribute significantly to the session)
4
5
C Acceptable (this is the type of poster I was expecting to see)
6
7
D High (this contributed more than most other posters)
8
Exceptional (this was a highlight of the session, and one of the top contributions to the congress; this poster presenter 9
E
should be encouraged to present platform presentations around this topic in the future) 10
Five The quality of the oral presentation (CIRCLE YOUR SCORE):
1
A Awful – the speaker did not convey what the poster was about in the allocated time.
2
3
B Below average – some information came across, but the speaker really should try harder
4
5
C Average – what I was expecting, and most other presentation are like this
6
7
D Above average – the speaker used the allocated time well, and the audience were left wanting more
8
9
E Spectacular – this speaker held the audience enthralled – people will remember this talk for years to come
10
Six The subject of this presentation is (TICK ONE):
A Relatively foreign to me – many of the issues that are being discussed fall outside my experience and interests
B Relatively familiar to me – while I do not consider myself an expert in this field, I have an interest in the subject
C My area of direct interest – I am highly familiar with the subject, and I have direct experience in this field
GENERAL COMMENTS RELATING TO THIS POSTER PRESENTATION:
15
THE FAUX PAS AWARD
“Every village has its own idiot . . .

Every circus has its own clown . . .
But this trophy is dedicated
to our very own star . . .”
Johannes Evert Kappeyne van de Coppello was the first recipient of this coveted award which first made itself known at the 30th
Annual Congress held in Kroonstad in January 1995. Each year, Congress delegates have kept their eyes and their ears open to
find the most deserving Village Idiot amongst the group and so far it has always found a home to keep it safe and in prominent
view for the year.
So make a note of all the hilarious moments, the embarrassing moments, the “oops” moments, and cast your vote for the winner
of the Faux Pas award of the 48th Annual Congress of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa. Nominations should be received
by Thursday 26th July at 3pm. Hand them in at the registration desk.
16
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The workshop will be of value to anyone involved directly or indirectly in biological, ecological, and agricultural
research, including scientists, researchers, managers, technicians, teachers, mentors, and students.
17
DAY 1: RESEARCH SKILLS WORKSHOP

SESSION CHAIR: CLEMENT CUPIDO
Sunday 22 July 2018, 09:45 - 17:30
Venue: ARC Training Centre Main Room, Roodeplaat
WHERE WE END UP – CHOOSING A CAREER PATH

Julius Tjelele
Agricultural Research Council, email: jtjelele@arc.agric.za
A career in science faces challenges and opportunities, both at individual and institutional levels. An additional
dilemma of whether to continue with research or move towards management often confronts young scientists, and
decisions here can drastically alter careers in science.
Julius Tjelele holds a PhD (Botany) from the University of Kwazulu-Natal. He worked as a researcher for 10 years
before he became a Research Team Manager at the Range and Forage Science section at the Agricultural Research
Council. His research interest is in rangeland ecology and management, with a special focus on herbivores and their
interaction with vegetation; and factors governing their foraging behaviour and seed dispersal of woody plant species.
Dr Tjelele served as the Publication editor of Grassroots, a popular newsletter of the Grassland Society of Southern
Africa (GSSA), president and currently the immediate past president of the GSSA. He is also serving on the advisory
board of the Centre for African Conservation Ecology at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Dr Tjelele is
passionate about mentoring of young people.
THE RESEARCH QUESTION

Wayne Twine
University of the Witwatersrand, email: wayne.twine@wits.ac.za
The research question is central to research, providing a point from which literature is reviewed and experiments are
developed. This pivotal aspect of research is often not given the attention it deserves, and many research questions
are later found to be essentially unanswerable, uninteresting to the scientific community, or even already answered in
other research. The objective of this presentation is to help researchers craft a clear, useful, and feasible research
question to guide their study.
Wayne Twine is an associate professor in the School of Animal Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the
Witwatersrand. He has over 20 years of research experience, particularly in communal areas. He has been author
or co-author of 43 peer-reviewed journal articles and 6 book chapters.
HOW TO PLAN AND CONSTRUCT A THESIS

Abel Ramoelo
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), email: aramoelo@csir.co.za
A thesis is known to be a long essay or dissertation, reporting on research written by a candidate for a University for
a particular degree, for example; Masters or Doctorate. The planning and writing of a thesis is a critical stage during
the studies of a candidate, and requires some careful thoughts. At the stage of construction and writing of the thesis,
most of the candidates would have completed data analysis and interpretations of results. Therefore, there are two
ways to construct a good thesis, and often this is institution dependent. Firstly, there is a conventional way which
requires clear articulation of the components of the research process. Secondly, it can involve the compilation of
scientific papers, with a general introduction and the last chapter as the Synthesis. The latter is favoured by many
Universities these days, because candidates are encourage to publish scientific papers before they actually complete
their studies. These two approaches for constructing a good thesis and additional tips for making a thesis more
interesting shall be presented.
Dr Abel Ramoelo is a principal research scientist at the Earth Observation unit of the Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR). He completed his PhD in remote sensing from the University of Twente, Faculty of
18
Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation (ITC), the Netherlands. He also completed his MSc in
Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation for Environmental Management and Modelling at four European
Universities, Lund (Sweden), Southampton (UK), Warsaw (Poland) and ITC. His first degrees were completed at the
University of Venda, Thohoyandou. His research focuses on developing and improving techniques for extracting
information from remote sensing data, i.e. hyperspectral, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and multispectral for
use in addressing issues related to natural resource and environment; e.g. rangeland or grass quality and quantity,
tree species discrimination as well as water availability and quality assessment. He is also involved in projects
focusing on land cover mapping and change detection as well as spatial modelling and analysis. His role involves
among other activities, project management (local and international), research proposal writing and attracting
research funding. He is NRF rated and professionally registered with SACNASP (Field: Geospatial Science). He is
also an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation and serves as
Editorial Board member of several journals. He successfully supervised three PhD and over eight MSc students. He
published over 45 scientific and conference proceeding papers.
DATA MANAGEMENT – MAKING IT EASIER FOR YOU

Victoria Goodall
VLG Statistical Services, email: victoriagoodall@gmail.com
Data management is a crucial component of the research cycle. This presentation introduces the concepts of data
management and metadata standards. Various data management tools are discussed which will assist researchers
with managing their own data. A number of data portals allow for data sharing and enable researchers to access a
broad range of data that have already been collected.
Victoria Goodall completed her MSc (Mathematical Statistics) at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. Her PhD
completed at the Department of Statistics, University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, investigated the
application of various statistical methods to the GPS locations obtained for sable antelope, buffalo and zebra in the
Kruger National Park. Victoria began her working career with Volkswagen South Africa as a Customer Relationship
Management Data Analyst. Her second job was as a statistician for Synovate (now Ipsos). Her working career then
moved to Kirstenbosch in Cape Town, working as a Data Scientist for the South African Environmental Observation
Network (SAEON) Fynbos Node. She then moved into the academic field, working as Senior Lecturer at Nelson
Mandela University. She is currently a Research Associate affiliated with the Nelson Mandela University Department
of Statistics and she is a member of the Centre for African Conservation Ecology and Institute for Coastal and Marine
Research Centre at the university. Currently she is working as a consultant for VLG Statistical Services focusing on
statistical consulting and training, and data management.
OVERCOMING THE PUBLISHING OBSTACLE

Wayne Twine
Peer-reviewed articles (‘papers’) are the accepted means of recording and communicating ideas and findings in
science. However, the process of scientific writing, especially for beginner scientists, is an arduous one, and scathing
reviews of submissions often permanently discourage promising students. This presentation provides some practical
guidelines for writing a scientific paper and getting it published.
19
ORAL PRESENTATIONS: HOW TO EFFECTIVELY GIVE THEM USING POWERPOINT

Adrian Shrader
University of Pretoria, email: adrian.shrader@up.ac.za
One of the main ways in which we convey information in science is through oral presentations at conferences.
Computers programs such as PowerPoint make these presentations more vivid and easy for the audience to follow.
However, the misuse of PowerPoint can greatly blur your message and confuse the audience. Adrian will provide tips
on how to best effectively use PowerPoint, and highlight some of the different types of oral presentations at
conferences (Plenary, platform, speed).
Adrian is an Associate Professor of Mammalian Behavioural Ecology at the Mammal Research Institute at University
of Pretoria. His research focuses primarily on the behavioural ecology of large mammalian herbivores, their
interactions with vegetation, and the factors governing their foraging, habitat use, and movements. Secretly he
believes that plants are nothing more than food for the cool herbivores he studies. Recently, Adrian has focused a
portion of his research on how mammalian herbivores use olfactory cues from plants to make pre-ingestive foraging
decisions. His research has been highlighted in the New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times,
BBC, National Geographic, Spiegel Online, Nature online, and the TV show QI. In addition to ecological research,
Adrian has a particular interest in presenting complex scientific findings – be they in the written, poster, or oral forms
– in a clear and understandable way.
TEN TIPS FOR DESIGNING THE PERFECT POSTER

Adrian Shrader
University of Pretoria, email: adrian.shrader@up.ac.za
Presenting posters at conferences is generally perceived to be second choice after giving a talk. However, if posters
are put together well, you can get people to stop, look, and chat to you about your research. Moreover, these chats
can last much longer, and thus you can gain more feedback, than if you were to give a talk. In this presentation,
Adrian will provide 10 simple tips to improve you posters, and get people to spend more than 11 seconds looking at
them.
Adrian is an Associate Professor of Mammalian Behavioural Ecology at the Mammal Research Institute at University
of Pretoria. His research focuses primarily on the behavioural ecology of large mammalian herbivores, their
interactions with vegetation, and the factors governing their foraging, habitat use, and movements. Secretly he
believes that plants are nothing more than food for the cool herbivores he studies. Recently, Adrian has focused a
portion of his research on how mammalian herbivores use olfactory cues from plants to make pre-ingestive foraging
decisions. His research has been highlighted in the New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times,
BBC, National Geographic, Spiegel Online, Nature online, and the TV show QI. In addition to ecological research,
Adrian has a particular interest in presenting complex scientific findings – be they in the written, poster, or oral forms
20
DAY 2: RESEARCH SKILLS WORKSHOP

SESSION CHAIR: CLEMENT CUPIDO
Monday 24 July 2018, 08:30 - 17:00
WRITING POPULAR ARTICLES

Amelia Genis
Landbouweekblad, email: agenis@landbou.com
Scientists are in the best position to communicate their own research to the public, but they often lack the tools to
write popular articles for the general press. This practical session will teach workshop attendants how to turn their
research reports, theses and journal papers into reports that are jargon-free and easy to read for a wider audience
without diminishing the value or gravity of their original work.
Dr. Amelia Genis is a specialist writer at Landbouweekblad where she writes about the grain industry, small stock
farming, land reform, plant genetics and renosterveld and arid zone ecology. She is interested in rural change and
innovation on the platteland. This year she began to organise veld days to bring together farmers, botanists and
ecologists in the veld to talk about plants, insects, biological soil crusts, drought, heat, grazing methods, restoration
and the importance of biodiversity.
THE RESEARCH QUESTION (CONTINUED)

Wayne Twine
are later found to be essentially unanswerable, uninteresting to the scientific community, or even already answered in
other research. The objective of this presentation is to help researchers craft a clear, useful, and feasible research
HOW TO PLAN AND CONSTRUCT A THESIS

Abel Ramoelo
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), email: aramoelo@csir.co.za
A thesis is known to be a long essay or dissertation, reporting on research written by a candidate for a University for
a particular degree, for example; Masters or Doctorate. The planning and writing of a thesis is a critical stage during
the studies of a candidate, and requires some careful thoughts. At the stage of construction and writing of the thesis,
most of the candidates would have completed data analysis and interpretations of results. Therefore, there are two
ways to construct a good thesis, and often this is institution dependent. Firstly, there is a conventional way which
requires clear articulation of the components of the research process. Secondly, it can involve the compilation of
scientific papers, with a general introduction and the last chapter as the Synthesis. The latter is favoured by many
Universities these days, because candidates are encourage to publish scientific papers before they actually complete
their studies. These two approaches for constructing a good thesis and additional tips for making a thesis more
interesting shall be presented.
Dr. Abel Ramoelo is a principal research scientist at the Earth Observation unit of the Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR). He completed his PhD in remote sensing from the University of Twente, Faculty of
21
WRITING POPULAR ARTICLES

Amelia Genis
Landbouweekblad, email: agenis@landbou.com
Scientists are in the best position to communicate their own research to the public, but they often lack the tools to
write popular articles for the general press. This practical session will teach workshop attendants how to turn their
research reports, theses and journal papers into reports that are jargon-free and easy to read for a wider audience
without diminishing the value or gravity of their original work.
Dr. Amelia Genis is a specialist writer at Landbouweekblad where she writes about the grain industry, small stock
farming, land reform, plant genetics and renosterveld and arid zone ecology. She is interested in rural change and
innovation on the platteland. This year she began to organise veld days to bring together farmers, botanists and
ecologists in the veld to talk about plants, insects, biological soil crusts, drought, heat, grazing methods, restoration
and the importance of biodiversity.
THE RESEARCH QUESTION (CONTINUED)

Wayne Twine
are later found to be essentially unanswerable, uninteresting to the scientific community, or even already answered
in other research. The objective of this presentation is to help researchers craft a clear, useful, and feasible research
PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE FIELD

Justin Du Toit
Scientist, DAFF - Grootfontein ADI , email: justindutoit@gmail.com
Ecologists can use photography for capturing information about organisms and their environment. This session
focuses on how to maximise the amount of information a photograph provides, how to manage photograph
collections, and using repeat photography as a monitoring tool. Included is a practical on repeat photography.
(Please bring a camera / cellphone for the prac.)
Justin du Toit is a researcher for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries based at Grootfontein in the
Karoo. His research interests include vegetation responses to grazing, rainfall, and fire; control of invasive species;
and long-term monitoring using photography.
SOURCING OF ARTICLES, REFERENCING AND AVOIDING PLAGIARISM

Denise Nicholson
University of the Witwatersrand, email: denise.nicholson@wits.ac.za
During Information literacy awareness month in the USA, President Barack Obama (2012) confirms the importance
of an information literate society. The correct use of information and information tools can be seen as a prerequisite
for economic progress. According to the Association of College and Research Libraries it is more important than ever
to use information wisely. Understanding the ethical and legal use of information can be seen as a performance
indicator of an information literate individual. Using the right “package deal” for research purposes might be the
pathway to academic progress.
22
SMARTPHONES TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Clement Cupido
Agricultural Research Council, email: clementfcupido@gmail.com
Smartphone are becoming increasingly popular in our modern society and astronomic technological advances have
been made to improve these devices over the past few years. Currently there are about 2.5 billion smartphones
users worldwide and the rapid sales of these devices encouraged producers to pack them with high end sensors -
some are hardly of any use to the common citizen. The most common built-in sensors are the accelerometer,
gyroscope, magnetometer, GPS receiver, microphone and camera. Some higher-end models come equipped with
for example gravity and rotational vector sensors, and environmental sensors such as barometers, photometers,
thermometers and air humidity sensor. Combined with appropriate downloadable applications, this offers
opportunities for researchers to perform tasks that could be more than useful during fieldwork and in the office.
Various apps that can be potentially be used in research will be discussed and we will look at the possibilities of the
GPS Essentials app in smartphone mapping.
Clement Cupido is a rangeland ecologist for the Agricultural Research Council. He works primarily in the Succulent
Karoo biome in the Namaqualand Uplands and has a keen interest in the ecosystem services herding has to offer.
He is based at the University of the Western Cape’s Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Department where he
supervises and co-supervises several post-graduate students who are working within the arid zone along the west
coast region. He has a keen interest in outdoor and studio photography.
23
OPENING PLENARY SESSION: CLIMATE CHANGE

SESSION CHAIR: JULIUS TJELELE
Tuesday 24 July 2018, 08:30-10:00
INVITED KEYNOTE ADDRESS: BUSH ENCROACHMENT ON SOUTH AFRICA’S GRASSLANDS– IS

IT A FORM OF LAND DEGRADATION
Barney Kgope
Department of Environmental Affairs, email: bkgope@environment.gov.za
The planting of trees across the globe is punted as one of principal solutions to mitigate against climate change.
However this notion negates the role of other equally important ecosystems e.g. grasslands and savannahs, in
carbon sequestration whilst providing other crucial goods and services. Equally important is that this has potential to
create tension across the three Rio Conventions, namely: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC), United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and the United Nations Convention for
Combating Desertification (UNCCD). In South Africa, the grassland and savannah biomes are already undergoing
transformation through bush encroachment and woody thickening, respectively. Bush encroachment and woody
thickening are global phenomena attributed to the increase in atmospheric CO 2, fire suppression and herbivory. A
myopic interpretation of this transformation presents the risk of lending credence to the notion of bush encroachment
and woody thickening as a phenomenon worth promoting at the expense of other important goods and services e.g.
biodiversity and water reticulation. Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) is an emerging area of practise considered a
comprehensive response to challenges presented by climate change. As a result, the contention here is that EbA is a
smart 21st century practise that presents the opportunity for a balanced approach in addressing bush encroachment
and woody thickening in South Africa.
INVITED KEYNOTE ADDRESS: PRACTICAL AGRICULTURAL APPROACHES TO BUILDING

CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN SOUTH AFRICAN RANGE AND PASTURE SYSTEMS
Stephanie Midgley
Western Cape Department of Agriculture, email: stephanie.midgley@gmail.com
South African range and pasture systems make a significant contribution to the agricultural and wider economy. Their
vulnerability to climate variability and climate change is highly context-specific, depending on local climate, soils,
water resources, plant species composition, livestock species, and management practices. Changing risks
associated with warming and altered rainfall patterns also vary across the country, across different spatial scales, and
for different future timeframes. Nevertheless, research shows that a fundamental understanding of ecosystem
services, and how these are impacted by climate risks together with management practices, can help to identify
practices and technologies which can increase the resilience of these farming systems in the short to medium term.
Provisioning, regulating and supporting ecosystem services (for example, relating to soil conservation, soil fertility,
carbon sequestration and hydrology) within natural and semi-natural grazed landscapes support primary production
of plants and animals. They also provide resilience to climate extremes such as droughts, floods and heat waves.
Planted and intensively managed pastures display significantly altered abiotic and biotic characteristics and
processes and climate vulnerability. In addition to impacts on the quantity and quality of grazing and fodder, climate
change exerts direct impacts on the animals through heat, pests, diseases, nutritional stress and lack of water,
manifested as changes in growth and fertility. However, the scale of impacts is highly differentiated between different
livestock species and farming systems. This presentation will outline some of the complexities inherent in assessing
climate risks at farm level, and then focus on some practical approaches to adaptation (with mitigation co-benefits) in
South African contexts which can confer increased greater resilience. Key findings of the SmartAgri Project (Western
Cape Climate Change Response Framework and Implementation Plan) and national and global scientific sources will
be presented. The presentation will close with a summary of some research gaps and a discussion of the need for
collaborative and strategic research partnerships which are cross-sectoral and inter-disciplinary.
24
PARALLEL A: CLIMATE CHANGE

SESSION CHAIR: TONY SWEMMER
Tuesday 24 July 2018, 10:30 - 12:35
INVITED KEYNOTE ADRESS: NET PRIMARY PRODUCTION IN SOUTH AFRICAN GRASSLANDS:

RELATIONSHIP TO RAINFALL, SOIL TYPE AND HISTORY
Bob Scholes1*, Catherine Van Den Hoof2, Mtho Moyo2 and Chantelle Howlett3
1
WITS - Global Change Institute (GCI) 2University of the Witwatersrand 3Institute of Environmental Studies, University of the Free
State, email: bob.scholes@wits.ac.za
The MISR-HR satellite sensor enabled us to construct an 18-year record of eight-daily fraction absorbed
photosynthetic radiation (FAPAR) at 275 m resolution over the entire grassland domain. The seasonally-accumulated
FAPAR is a good proxy for net primary production (NPP), a hypothesis we tested using independent data. We then
selected 60 sites across the grassland rainfall range, in South Africa chosen to be in un-degraded condition, to
establish a relationship between accumulated rainfall and seasonally-accumulated FAPAR. The relationship is
strongly linear (r2=0.805, p< 0.001) until around 700 mm, at which point it begins to level off. There is a strong
association between soil types and rainfall, but the soil type itself has little effect on accumulated FAPAR. As found
elsewhere, the within-site relationships to rainfall has a lower slope (rain use efficiency) than the between-site slope,
an observation we attribute to biogeochemical constraints. The NPP in a given year has a strong relationship to NPP
in the previous year, particularly below 600 mm (r 2 = 0.35-0.4), and even a relationship to two years previously
(r2~0.2). There are clear functional differences between the semi-arid and moist grasslands.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: EFFECT OF SIMULATED DROUGHT ON ANNUAL NET PRIMARY

PRODUCTIVITY OF SEMI-ARID GRASSLAND
Thabo Magandana*, Abubeker Hassen and Eyob Tesfamariam
University of Pretoria, email: tmagandana@gmail.com
Drought can be defined in general terms as the 50 percent shortfall of rainfall over a period of three months. Drought
leads to reduced rangeland productivity, which will ultimately lead to reduced livestock and wildlife production. The
objective of this study was to determine the impact of drought, simulated with four different rainfall interception (RI)
levels on grass annual net primary productivity (ANPP). The study was conducted at the University of Pretoria
experimental farm, Hatfield, Pretoria. There were twenty 7 X 7m study plots on a natural grassland. The treatments
consisted of 0, 15, 30 and 60% RI, each replicated five times. All the herbage in the plots was cut to ground level at
the beginning of the experiment on the 1st of November 2016. A fixed 1 m 2 quadrat was marked at the centre of each
plot and the biomass within the quadrats was harvested at the end of the year. Grasses were further separated into
different species and the species were categorised into ecological statuses (increasers and decreasers). The ANPP
under 60% RI was four times lower than that of the control plots (5482 kg ha -1). Although there was no significant
difference in the grass ANPP between the 0% (4582 kg ha-1), 15% (4100 kg ha-1) and 30% RI (3760 kg ha-1), the
herbage yield declined as the drought intensity increased. Forbs’ ANPP was significantly lower (P<0.05) under 15%
RI (30.5 kg ha-1). Digitaria eriantha, Themeda triandra and Heteropogon contortus had a significantly lower ANPP
(P<0.05) under 60% RI. However, D. eriantha attained a significantly higher (P<0.05) ANPP under 15% RI (3338 kg
ha-1). Decreasers produced a significantly higher ANPP (P<0.05) at the 0% RI (3432 kg ha -1) while increasers were
significantly higher (P<0.05) under 30% RI (2622 kg ha -1) than 60% RI (283 kg ha-1). Increasers used water more
efficiently than decreasers. The results showed that drought has a significant negative effect on the ANPP. Herbage
yield generally decreased with the increase in intensity of drought, however, the relative contribution of forbs
increased with the increase in drought intensity while the opposite was true for grasses. This implies that drought
(60% RI) can have severe effects on rangeland productivity, which can reduce livestock production.
25
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: PLANTS AND SOIL CARBON-NITROGEN SEQUESTRATION AND

ISOTOPE RATIOS IN RELATION TO LAND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND SEASONS IN MOPANE
SAVANNAH, NAMIBIA
Absalom Kahumba1* and Solomon Tefera2
1
University of Namibia, 2University of Fort Hare, email: akahumba@unam.na
Land management systems may affect the amount of plant and soil carbon-nitrogen sequestrated in different
seasons. This study investigated the differences in plant and soil carbon-nitrogen sequestration and C-N isotopes
between three land management systems in summer and winter seasons. Three 250 m 2 belt transects were
randomly laid out in each of the three camps per land management system. For herbaceous plant sampling, forages
were harvested from five (0.25 m 2) quadrats laid out in each belt transect, bulked and samples oven-dried at 65 oC.
For woody plant sampling, leaves and twigs of a dominant plant species (Colophospermum mopane) were harvested
from five plants per belt transect, bulked and oven-dried at 65 oC. Three soil samples were collected per belt transect
to a depth of 20 cm using a soil auger and a soil core sampler to determine soil bulk density. The total vegetation
results showed that total organic carbon (TOC) (kg ha -1) in plants (herbaceous and woody plants) was greater
(P < 0.001) in the game reserve, followed by the ranch and lowest in the communal area, with a similar trend
observed in both seasons. The total vegetation total nitrogen (TN) (kg ha -1) sequestered in summer was greater
(P < 0.001) in the game reserve and lowest in the communal area, while in winter the game reserve and ranch had
similar results and greater (P < 0.001) TN (kg ha-1) than the communal areas. The amount of vegetation TOC and TN
(kg ha-1) was greater in summer than winter season. Soil TOC (kg ha -1) was greater (P < 0.001) in the game reserve
than the ranch and communal land management systems. The TN (kg ha-1) in soils was unaffected (P > 0.05) by land
management systems. The herbaceous δ13C and δ15N levels were greatly (P < 0.05) affected by land management
systems in different seasons. In summer, the game reserve and ranch land management systems recorded greater
herbaceous (P < 0.001) δ13C and lower δ15N levels than the communal area, but in winter, the game reserve had a
greater (P < 0.001) herbaceous δ13C level than the ranch, though both the game reserve and ranch had similar (P >
0.001) δ15N values. The woody foliar component had markedly greater (P < 0.001) δ13C levels in summer in both the
communal and ranch land management systems than the game reserve, but in winter the ranch had greater (P <
0.001) δ13C level than the game reserve and communal areas. Woody foliar samples harvested from the ranch
showed variation (P < 0.05) in δ15N between seasons, being greater (P < 0.001) in summer than winter. Soil δ13C
level was slightly greater (P < 0.001) in both seasons in the communal land than the other two land management
systems. The study concludes that the game reserve sequestered more TOC and TN (kg ha -1) in the total vegetation
than the other two land management systems during both summer and winter. The game reserve also stored more
soil TOC (kg ha-1) than the ranch and communal management systems. The study recommends more research to be
conducted by including land management systems in different agro-ecologies, and for a prolonged period, to
ascertain the impact of land use practices and seasonal dynamics of the measured variables.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE EFFECT OF ELEVATED TEMPERATURES ON GROWTH AND

DEFENSE OF VACHELLIA SIEBERIANA GROWN WITH OR WITHOUT GRASS
Lusanda Ncisana1,2*, Peter Scogings1and Ntuthuko Mkhize2
1
University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2Agricultural Research Council-Animal Production Institute, email: ncisanalusanda@gmail.com
The effects of rising temperature on grassland have been studied utilizing open top warming chambers (OTC),
however little research has been done on the effect of warming on the performance of woody plants in savannas.
The objective of the study was to test the effect of elevated temperatures on growth and defence of woody seedlings
that have the potential to invade grassland. This was examined for Vachellia sieberiana seedlings at the Ukulinga
Experimental Farm of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg using OTC. Seeds of V. sieberiana were
collected in 2016 around Pietermaritzburg and 200 seeds were germinated using agar, and then grown in pots with
sandy soil in a greenhouse for a month. At a mean height and stem diameter of 13.5 cm and 2.16 mm, respectively,
120 seedlings were transplanted into field plots, that were either cleared of grass, or not, in October 2017. The
remaining 80 seedlings were used to develop linear regression models of stem diameter and total dry mass (DM) to
estimate initial biomass of seedlings. The experiment was a fully crossed randomized design with four treatments
(warmed with grass, warmed without grass, not warmed with grass and not warmed without grass) replicated 5 times.
26
Plots were 2 x 2 m, with six seedlings in each plot. Open top warming chambers were used to raise air temperature
by ~1°C. Stem length, plant height, stem diameter, thorn length, leaf dry matter, shoot dry matter, root dry matter and
total dry matter (DM) were measured in January 2018. Warming significantly (p < 0.05) increased plant height, stem
length, and stem diameter 1,3 to 1,4 fold and on average; and doubled leaf DM, shoot DM, root DM and total DM.
The removal of grass cover significantly (p < 0.05) doubled shoot DM and total DM, on average, while warming in the
absence of grass doubled thorn length compared to plots with grass. Temperature to a level expected in the next few
decades clearly was more beneficial than grass removal for V. sieberiana seedlings growth. Our results suggest that,
regardless of grass cover at the time of seedlings establishment, the rate of woody encroachment will increase as
temperature rises.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: EFFECTS OF HIGH TEMPERATURES ON EMERGENCE, GROWTH,

AND FORAGE QUALITY OF A PERENNIAL SORGHUM FOR SUPPLEMENTING DAIRY COWS IN
SEMI-ARID AREAS
Florence Nherera-Chokuda1*, Wisani Goodness Mushadu2,Vincent Maphahla2, Matlou Grace Makgobatlou2,
Ntuwiseni Mmbi2 and Mukengela Claude Muya1
1
Agricultural Research Council-Animal Production Institute, 2Limpopo Department of Agriculture, email: nhereraf@arc.agric.za
Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] is adapted to high temperatures and water stress, and plays a critical role as
food in dry areas, with the stover also utilized as fodder. Temperatures above 30 °C promote faster emergence and
better seedling establishment, but very high temperatures affect osmotic regulation. Optimum temperature for
emergence is 20-30 oC. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of high temperatures experienced in the
Limpopo region on the emergence of new perennial sorghum cultivars, and subsequently assess seedling and plant
growth. Temperature effects were assessed at two sites in communal areas: Vhembe (Vh) district (Temperature
Humidity index THI 72-83; mean maximum air temperatures of 38 oC, mean annual rainfall 410 mm) and
Sekhukhune (SK) district (THI 75-87; 40 oC and mean annual rainfall of 380 mm). Experimental plots were
established in January 2018 at sites characterised by a sandy loam soil type. Eight quadrats were randomly selected
for assessment of germination, root length and mass and shoot growth (plant density, plant height, leaf numbers and
length and stem diameter). Germination was assessed daily over 14 days, with weekly measurements on seedling
growth undertaken thereafter on a weekly basis until eight weeks post emergence. At eight weeks whole plants were
harvested for forage quality inference based on stem diameter. Germination percentage and seedling emergence
was higher (p < 0.05) at Vh (86% and 79%, respectively) than at Sk (72%; 46%). Plant density was higher
(p < 0.001) in Vh, ranging between 90 and-144, while it was < 40 plants/quadrat in Sk. At 4 weeks mean leaf
numbers in Vh and Sk were 7 and 9, respectively, while mean leaf width was similar (1.8 cm) and plant height varied
(23 vs 11 cm). Lateral root length was within the range 19-26 cm at Vh and 25-30 cm at Sk, although the latter had
massive root system (40-60 lateral roots vs 38-46 in Vh). Positive, but non-linear, correlations were noted between
lateral root length and shoot growth: (R2 = 0.66 and 0.70; at Sk and Vh, respectively). Stem diameter ranged between
0.5-1.3 cm at four weeks, but did not differ at tasselling, averaging 2.3-cm. Better growth performance in Vh could be
related to the greater initial rates of root and shoot growth, which allowed plants better adaptability to stress at
temperatures below 40 oC. Sorghum sown at the warmer site (Sk) emerged, but plant density was lower, which
affected yield. Thinner stems are less lignified and easily macerated during rumination; hence, the crop at Sk was of
better quality irrespective of the crop yield being lower than at Vh. The perennial sorghum cultivar evaluated did not
perform well in the warmer area, which is of great concern; given that, Sk has a high human and cattle population
that is dependent on climate smart crops.
27
PARALLEL B: WORKSHOP ON RANGELAND STEWARDSHIP IN COMMUNAL

LANDSCAPES: INNOVATIVE MODELS FOR POLICY AND PLANNING
SESSION CHAIR: MAHLODI TAU
Tuesday 24 July 2018, 10:30 - 12:35
Venue: ARC Training Centre Parallel Room, Roodeplaat
Rural livelihoods are an important component of the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030. In supporting
this vision, sustainable growth in the agricultural sector is identified as key to realising food security and improving
rural livelihoods outlined in the NDP. However, achieving food security and improving rural livelihoods without
compromising natural resources or vital ecosystem services remains a challenge in South Africa. This is a reality as
the bulk of valuable ecological infrastructure and biodiversity assets are located in both the commercial agricultural
production landscapes and the communal farming landscapes and the sector both depends on, and impacts, the
supporting ecological systems. Communities residing in many of the rural areas across South Africa face livelihood
challenges through lack of economic opportunity. Almost 50% of the national large livestock herd is also found in
these communal tenure areas, but only 5% make it to the formal domestic beef market, indicating an enterprise
opportunity. Many of these areas overlap Strategic Water Source Areas, which cover 10% of the land surface and
generate over 50% of the nation’s water supply. A participatory partnership between the communities and
development practitioners in the upper north eastern uMzimvubu catchment near Matatiele led to the development of
an innovative model for rangeland stewardship in communal farming landscapes, to address rural livelihoods and
deterioration of ecological infrastructure, in communal rangelands. At the core of this emerging innovative model is
the emphasis on meeting livelihood needs through good rangeland stewardship and cash returns. This also results in
improved landscape resilience, rebuilding good governance and a better food and household security from the
healthy ecological infrastructure. However a challenge remains for the upscale and uptake of the work within relevant
national plans and policies related to rangeland stewardship in communal landscapes.
10:30 - 10:35 Welcome and introductions Mahlodi Tau (SANBI)

10:35 - 10:45 Sustainable land management Lehman Lindeque
10:45 - 11:00 Meat naturally Nicky McLeod (Environmental & Rural Solutions)
11:00 - 11:05 Comments from DAFF Kedibone Chueu (DAFF - Animal Production)
Facilitated Discussion
11:25 Cynics and believers?
This exercise will ask everyone in the room to pair up and one person will take on the role of a cynic (non believer) and one
person will take on the role of a believer in relation to the concept presented by Nicky. They will be given 5 minutes to try and
convince each other of the merits/pitfalls of the concept. We will ask them to capture their key inputs on cards. In plenary we will
then get feedback on what the pro’s and cons of the model are. The point of this exercise is to address the cynics in the room up
front rather than letting them become disruptive during the session. It also gives everyone an opportunity to reflect on what is
good about the model and what the potential pitfalls could be.
11:45 - 12:05 Vision for communal rangelands in South Africa

In small groups participants will be asked to write out their vision and some accompanying values for communal rangelands in
South Africa. These visions will be captured on flip charts and we will do a ranking exercise to identify which vision speaks to the
most people.
12:05 - 12:25 What can’t we do alone?

Using a World Café facilitation approach, in small groups participants will be asked to identify what they can’t do alone in relation
to restoring communal rangelands. Groups will be given a chance to circulate to other groups. This is an opportunity to identify
natural points of collaboration from stakeholders in the room.
12:25 - 12:45 Way forward?
Using a combination of individual commitments on cards (under themes emerging from “what can’t we do alone” and plenary), we
will map out a few key next steps.
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CLIMATE CHANGE
SESSION CHAIR: FLORENCE NHERERA-CHOKUDA

TUESDAY 24 JULY 2018, 13:35 - 15:20
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN THE ERA OF CLIMATE

CHANGE THROUGH TARGETED INTERVENTIONS
Michiel Scholtz1*, Motshabi Mokolobate1, Anette Theunissen2, Mokgadi Seshoka2, Georgette Pyoos1 and Frikkie
Neser3
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2Northern Cape Department of Agricultural, Land Reform and Rural
Development, 3University of the Free State, email: gscholtz@arc.agric.za
The impact of global warming and continued uncontrolled release of greenhouse gases (GHG) has twofold
implications for the livestock industry, and consequently food security. Firstly, the continuous increase in ambient
temperature is predicted to have a direct effect on the animal, as well as indirect effects associated with feed
sources, ecosystem changes and diseases. Secondly, the responsibility of livestock production is to limit the release
of GHG or the carbon footprint, in order to ensure future sustainability. This presentation reviews the following
targeted interventions: (1) The use of indigenous and adapted genotypes can be beneficial in the era of climate
change. Matching of genotypes to production environment assumes that there are genotypes that could be matched
more easily with the production environment. In this regard awareness of indigenous livestock is important; (2) Early
warning systems should be developed. Projections of future changes in heat stress under climate change, as well as
medium-range and seasonal prediction models for heat stress in cattle as an early warning system for farmers is
important; (3) Alternative breeding objectives and biotechnology based breeding programs that will optimize climate
smart beef production should be developed. An effective way to reduce the carbon and water footprint from livestock
is to reduce the livestock numbers and increase the production per animal, thereby improving their productivity. In
case of the Afrikaner breed, cow efficiency improved by 18% over a period of 33 years, which reduced the carbon
footprint by 12%. A breeding objective that aims to improve the kg calf weaned per Large-Stock Unit (LSU) mated is
thus being developed; (4) Alternative production systems (e.g. crossbreeding) to improve the production efficiency of
beef cattle should be characterized. This can play a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint from beef
production. Evidence will be presented that the kg calf weaned per LSU mated can be improved by almost 50%
through structured crossbreeding, whereas 27% less feed is consumed between weaning and harvest; (5)
Quantification of the effect of weather patterns on fertility and growth of beef cattle in warmer parts of the country is
essential. It will be demonstrated that the severe drought and extreme heat of the 2015/2016 summer had a negative
effect on the performance and fertility of continental sired genotypes; and (6) The impact of changes in livestock feed
-grain availability and price is important. How long will we still have the luxury to feed grains to animals instead of
people? No single organization can perform on its own. The combination of sources of excellence to conduct
research and development in climate smart livestock production is therefore essential.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: HIGH CONCENTRATE FEEDING LEVEL REDUCES ENTERIC

METHANE EMISSIONS OF GRAZING DAIRY COWS
Josef Van Wyngaard1*, Robin Meeske2 and Lourens Erasmus3
1
Voermol, 2Western Cape Department of Agriculture, 3University of Pretoria, email: jdvvanwyngaard@gmail.com
Recently, increasing evidence for global warming has amplified the need to validate on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG)
mitigation strategies. Ruminants have been identified as the single most important source of anthropogenic methane
(CH4) emissions, of which CH4 is a potent GHG. Several CH4 mitigation strategies have been proposed, but most
lack the practicality to be adopted on farm level. Concentrate supplementation has been identified as a
CH4 mitigation strategy that is most likely to be adopted on farm level. The aim of this research was to determine the
extent to which concentrate supplementation can reduce enteric CH 4 from dairy cows grazing pasture during late
summer and early spring. Thirty-six multiparous Jersey cows were subjected to a complete randomised block design
and allocated to one of three treatment groups. The treatments differed by means of concentrate feeding level: 0, 4
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and 8 kg/d (as fed basis). A 14 d dietary adaptation period was implemented. Cows grazed perennial ryegrass
(Lolium perenne) dominant pasture during early spring, and kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) dominant pasture
during late summer. Individual CH4 emissions were measured using the sulphur hexafluoride tracer gas technique
and pasture intake was estimated using TiO2 as external marker and indigestible neutral detergent fibre as an
internal marker. Pasture measurements and milk production parameters were also recorded. Milk yield, energy-
corrected milk (ECM) yield, total dry matter intake (DMI) and milk lactose content increased linearly (p < 0.05), while
pasture intake decreased linearly (p < 0.05) with increasing concentrate feeding level, irrespective of season.
Methane production (mean of 294 g d-1) and CH4 yield (mean of 19.0 g kg-1 of DMI) were unaffected (p > 0.05) by
treatment on ryegrass dominant pasture, but increased linearly (p < 0.05; 323 to 378 g d-1) and decreased linearly
(p < 0.05; 29.1 to 25.1 g kg-1 of DMI), respectively, with increasing concentrate feeding level on kikuyu-dominant
pasture. Furthermore, CH4 intensity (20.4 to 15.9 g of CH4 kg-1 of milk yield) decreased linearly (p < 0.05) with
increasing concentrate feeding level on ryegrass-dominant pasture, but decreased (p < 0.05; 35.5 to 21.1 g kg-1 of
milk yield) even more on kikuyu-dominant pasture. Methane mitigation efficacy (40% vs 20%) of concentrate
supplementation was more prominent on kikuyu-dominant pasture than ryegrass-dominant pasture. Kikuyu has an
inherently higher fibre content than ryegrass, and the fermentation of fibre increases CH 4 emissions, hence providing
more opportunity to reduce CH4 emissions in kikuyu-dominant pasture systems.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: CLIMATE SMART LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING

OPTIONS FOR SMALL-SCALE FARMERS: A REVIEW
Unathi Gulwa*, Gideon Jordaan and Tanki Thubela
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, email: ugulwa@yahoo.com
Climate change is a subject of global environmental concern. The increased production of greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, is considered as an important cause of climate
change. Although there is no single definition for climate change, it can be defined as the change that can be
attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the atmosphere and which is in addition
to natural climate variability observed over comparable periods. Agriculture is immensely affected by climate change
but it also contributes to climate change in various ways. The livestock sector is viewed as one of the major
contributors to climate change mainly due to enteric fermentation emissions followed by, manure fermentation
emissions (waste products) and emissions released from the production of feed and forage. Small scale farmers are
the worst affected by changes in climate since they rely heavily on the natural resource base for their livelihoods.
Therefore, there is a need to explore alternative options for the resource-deprived farmers. One such intervention is
climate smart agriculture (CSA). This is agriculture that sustainably increases productivity, resilience (adaptation),
mitigation efficacy of GHG emissions and enhances attainment of food security and development goals, while
protecting the environment against degradation. Various climate smart options are recommended for sustainable
livestock production. These include feed related interventions, livestock production management, environmental
management and socio-political and financial interventions. This review will focus on feed related interventions and
livestock production management (adaptation) options for reducing GHG emissions, increasing forage quantity and
quality, and increasing livestock productivity.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE PROVISION OF SHADE ALLEVIATES HEAT STRESS OF

NEONATAL LAMBS BUT DOES NOT BENEFIT GROWTH OR SURVIVAL
Anieka Muller1*, Schalk Cloete1,2, TS Brand1,2, DA Van Der Merwe1,2 and Annalie Kruger2
1
Stellenbosch University, 2Western Cape Department of Agriculture, email: aniekam@elsenburg.com
There is general consensus that the Western Cape is likely to become hotter and drier under the influence of climate
change. Sheep are commonly reared in open extensive areas, devoid of shade cover, to maximize the grazing area.
This predisposes sheep to direct solar radiation and excessive heat, which may compromise animal welfare. This
study investigated the effect of availing shade offered by trees to neonatal lambs on common heat stress indicators
(rectal temperature and respiration rate) as well as early lamb growth and survival. Groups consisting of 8-10
pregnant ewes of both the South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) and Dormer breeds were randomly allocated to 10
kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) paddocks with natural shade from trees and nine comparable paddocks without
shade. Heat stress indicators were recorded from noon on the day following the birth of individual lambs (i.e. within
24 h of birth, presumably at the time daily temperatures peaked), while the lambs were identified with their dams and
30
recorded for birth weight and birth status. Daily climate statistics were obtained from a nearby weather station. Linear
models, including treatment (shade vs. no shade), breed (Dormer vs. SAMM), sex (ram vs. ewe), dam age (2-5
years) and birth status (single vs. multiple) were fitted as fixed effects. Climate data were included as regression
variables and interacted with shade treatment and breed. There was an interaction (p < 0.05) between maximum
daily temperature and shade treatments (access to shade or no access to shade) for both rectal temperature and
respiration rate. The rectal temperature and respiration rate of lambs in shaded paddocks generally did not increase
on days with an increased ambient temperature relative to cooler days. In contrast, the rectal temperature and
respiration rates of lambs increased substantially in unshaded paddocks on hot days. Tailing weight and lamb
survival to tailing were not influenced by providing shade when compared with the unshaded paddocks. Maximum
temperature thus had the greatest (p < 0.05) impact on lambs without shade when exceeding 30 °C, as they were
unable to maintain rectal temperatures and respiration rates at basal rates. In contrast, lambs in shaded paddocks
could maintain their respiration rate and rectal temperatures at basal levels, even on hot days. In conclusion, lambs
in unshaded paddocks were still able to accommodate the periods of excessive heat they were exposed to, by
returning to their basal metabolic rate during the cooler nights and on cool days, since the provision of shade did not
affect their production. However, the provision of shade had clear short-term animal welfare benefits by alleviating
immediate heat stress resulting from high ambient temperatures on hot days.
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ADVANCES IN METHODOLOGY
SESSION CHAIR: DEBBIE JEWITT
Tuesday, 24th July, 15:20 –16:50
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: MEASURING CARBON AND WATER FLUXES IN THE ALBANY

THICKET, EASTERN CAPE
Anthony Palmer1*, Onalenna Gwate2 and Sukhmani Mantel2
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2Rhodes University, email: palmert@arc.agric.za
The Albany Thicket (AT) has been over-grazed during recent times, with resultant transformation of large areas.
Restoration is linked to its ability to store carbon (C) efficiently. To determine whether AT is a viable sink for
atmospheric C, we established an eddy covariance system on the Ezulu Game Reserve. A Campbell Scientific eddy
covariance system, comprising a CSAT sonic anemometer and an IRGASON infra-red gas analyzer were installed in
October 2015. Associated instruments provide 30 min values for radiation, soil heat flux, soil moisture and soil
temperature. An automatic weather station provided radiation, temperature, relative humidity and rainfall data. The
system provided instantaneous fluxes for C and H2O, which were corrected for site-specific parameters using
EddyPro. The site has been free of domestic livestock for >30 years, and there are small populations of wild
herbivores. There is visual evidence of the recovery of Portulacaria afra, where the mean clump height >1m, and
clump density >2000 clumps ha-1. The daily CO2 fluxes of the site are comparable to those being experienced by
other semi-arid regions in southern Africa, with maximum midday rates of 25-30 umols m-2 s-1. These rates are
sustained during a long growing season from October to May. Night-time respiration rates are low and subject to high
reporting error due to low wind conditions at night. Appropriate gap-filling algorithms were used to generate these
night-time respiration values. Results for two years of continuous recording indicate that the AT has been a net C
sink, accumulating 0,52 (in 2016-17) and 0,59 (in 2015-2016) g C m-2 day-1. Based on current daily accumulation, the
annual C gain for this site will be 0.54-0.62 kg C m-2 year-1 (i.e. 5.4 - 6.2 tons C ha-1 year-1). This still needs to be
partitioned between above- and below-ground biomass using the ratio appropriate for this vegetation type. These
results are compared with the MODIS net primary production product PsnNet( MOD17A2). MODIS PsnNet predicted
0,52 kg C m -2 year-1 in 2016-2017. The MODIS PsnNet data for 2015-16 had several periods of missing data due to
satellite malfunction, but using gap-filling, we estimate that during 2015-2016, 0.69 kg C m-2 year-1. The data
provided in this summary reflect two relatively dry years (October 2015 - October 2017), when 238 mm and 252mm
of rain were measured per 365 day period. Evapotranspiration (ET) was higher than precipitation in both years, being
278 mm and 324 mm respectively. The higher ET for the site is most likely attributable to a link between larger trees
using groundwater, but this needs to be confirmed using isotope analysis. These results represent the first data-rich
approximation of the sequestration rates in the AT using eddy covariance, and are the first conclusive evidence of
the long-term sequestration ability of the AT. Our results concur largely with the findings of Mills and Cowling (0.42
kg C m-2 year-1 for healthy intact thicket at Krompoort), and the predictions of the MODIS 17A product.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: MULTI-SPECTRAL, HIGH RESOLUTION REMOTE SENSING

IMAGERY IN AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT AND -SCIENCES
Christiaan Harmse*, Annette Swanepoel and Hannes Gerber
Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, email: cjj.harmse@gmail.com
Considering the nature and scale of agriculture in general, remote sensing techniques offer the ideal tool for
monitoring management inputs and response over time. As a result, current advancements in data collection and
monitoring are frequently based on combining in situ measurements, airborne sensors and satellite observations.
Simultaneously, remote sensing technologies are evolving at a rapid rate and together with increased number of
earth observing satellites, high resolution remotely sensed imagery are more accessible than ever. Remotely sensed
data are used to describe both small and large-scale processes, but each system has its unique spatiotemporal
constraints. Ground based assessments are time consuming, labour intensive and very expensive. The main
impediment to using remotely sensed data from satellites are the unavailability of cloud free, high spatial (0.3 m or
better) and spectral resolution (multiple narrow bands) data. In recent times, the affordability and accessibility of
32
Remotely Piloted Aircrafts (RPA’s) opened up new opportunities as transporters of remote sensing equipment.
Currently, RPA-mounted sensors are in common use for bridging the gap between ground-based surveys and
satellite-derived data. As a result, RPA’s are commonly used to monitor an array of agricultural applications
including; vegetation cover, plant health, crop condition, nutrient status, yield, productivity and many more. While
most RPA’s provide an accurate, geo-referenced platform which allows for instant results at regular intervals, it has
its limitations with regard to flight time, adverse weather conditions and often it’s sensing capacity. In order to
correctly interpret the imagery derived in this manner, it is important to take cognisance of the capacity or capability
of the particular sensor in use, as well as the reflection pattern which is derived from light that was absorbed and
reflected from the electro-magnetic spectrum (EMS). The reflectance of vegetation differs throughout the EMS and is
generally found to be very low in the blue and red regions of the EMS, slightly higher in the green region and high in
the near infra-red region. This information can be used to determine stress levels in plants linked nitrogen status and
correlated with chlorophyll concentration. This case study provides a first-hand account on the application of high
resolution remote sensing imagery and illustrating the potential for this approach in Agricultural Management.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: PREDICTING POTENTIAL LIVESTOCK DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS IN

THE COMMUNAL RANGELANDS OF CALA, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA: A GIS APPROACH
Qawekazi Mkabile1*, Anthony Palmer2, Sukhmani Mantel1 and Carolyn Palmer1
1
Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, 2Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute,
email: qmkabile@gmail.com
Rangelands in communal lands, particularly in the former Transkei in the Eastern Cape, have been utilized for crop
production and livestock farming for many years. Even though livestock farming has been practised for a long time,
there have not been many studies addressing the distribution patterns of livestock in these rural areas. Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing are tools that have been used to map land use and to monitor animal
movement. In the South African context, the use of GIS combined with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in
domestic livestock needs to be given more attention. In this study we develop a predictive spatial model for domestic
livestock using the ArcGIS Predictive Analysis Tool. We used a combination of a GPS collar dataset from tracked
livestock during the dry and wet season and landscape variables that are expected to influence livestock distribution
to predict potential distribution across the landscape. The selected landscape variables were (1) altitude (height
above sea level), (2) slope (steepness) and (3) aspect (solar radiation intercepted by that surface), which were all
generated from a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), (4) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) which is used to
represent the presence of vegetation and lastly, (5) water sources. We addressed three research questions: (1)
Where do livestock spend time? (2) Can we predict potential livestock distribution in other areas? (3) What
management strategies can be implemented to overcome the under- and overutilization of resources available? The
study was conducted in a village near Cala, Eastern Cape. Preliminary results show that core livestock distribution is
located on grazing resources near homesteads and water sources, suggesting that these areas on the landscape are
important in prediction models. The results also demonstrate that without adequate fencing and livestock
management, livestock may over-utilize local grazing resources. With the decline in the use of herders within these
communities, livestock are concentrated around human settlements. The research will benefit the local community
members by emphasising the need for strategic herding and labour through the identification of areas that are
potentially underused and overused. The research could also provide baseline information needed for rangeland
strategies such as rotational grazing.
33
PARALLEL A: RANGELAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
SESSION CHAIR: LESLIE BROWN

Wednesday 25 July 2018, 08:30 - 10:15
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: KAROO TRAJECTORIES OF CHANGE IN THE ANTHROPOCENE

Joh R. Henschel1*, Cherryl Walker2 and Timm Hoffman3
1
South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), 2Stellenbosch University, 3University of Cape Town,
email: henschel@saeon.ac.za
The Karoo is often regarded as South Africa’s best-kept secret, an arid remote Outback to be left untouched by new
developments lest it loses its special character. Covering a good third of South Africa, the Succulent- and Nama-
Karoo, however, now face many changes from internal and external factors. It is time to take stock of current
knowledge and challenges concerning the Karoo’s ecological and social dimensions. Accordingly, the GSSA has
planned to publish a Karoo Special Issue in the African Journal of Range and Forage Science. This Issue boasts an
impressive array of information. An overarching lead article is followed by six sections, each with several articles,
concerning the following themes: Climate in the Anthropocene, Gharo across History, Long-term Trends and
Processes, Dynamics of Current Developments, Farming Impacts, Ecosystem Processes and Rehabilitation, and
ends with a Synthesis. Ironically, Karoo ecology has received more scientific attention than its people, and the Karoo
Special Issue therefore sets out to merge different disciplines, if not in individual papers bar the transdisciplinary
Lead Article, then at least by the arrangement of different articles. The Karoo Special Issue will be published by the
end of 2018.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: UNDERSTANDING THE RESILIENCE OF THE KAROO SHRUB,

NENAX MICROPHYLLA, TO WATER AVAILABILITY AND DEFOLIATION
Paul Malan and Hennie Snyman
University of the Free State, email: snymanha@ufs.ac.za
In general Karoo vegetation is known for its resilience. This so-called resilience was up to date not yet quantified.
During the past decade, annual rainfall in South Africa varied a lot, with a downward trend in certain areas. The
question was therefore asked, how are individual Karoo shrub species reacting to variable water availability while
also exposed to different frequencies and intensities of defoliation? A greenhouse trial was conducted where Nenax
microphylla, a widely distributed Karoo shrub, was exposed to 36 water and defoliation treatment combinations over
a period of 12 months. These treatments included a water deficit gradient of four water treatments, three defoliation
intensities and three defoliation frequencies. Amongst other measurements, above- and belowground phytomass
production, as well as water-use efficiency (WUE) were determined. A lot of data were obtained, which are
summarized in this presentation to highlight the most valuable research findings. Water availability proved to be the
single most important factor influencing both above- and belowground productivity and accounted for most of the
variation in phytomass production data, much more so than the defoliation treatments. Increased water availability
resulted in exponentially higher productivity, which could be ascribed to the expression of a compensatory growth
ability by N. microphylla. An increased water deficit resulted in increased root:shoot ratios. This is one of the few
studies known where root:shoot ratios for specific shrubs was calculated. Although water deficit decreased root
growth, the decrease was less than that observed for the aboveground phytomass production. Defoliation intensity
had the lowest impact on productivity, while the impact of defoliation frequency was markedly higher on both above-
and below-ground phytomass production. Although defoliation intensity accounted for the least variation in data, it
might, however, still impact on the physiological functioning of the plant. Infrequent defoliation resulted in shrubs
being less sensitive to defoliation intensity. Water use tended to be uneconomical when water is abundantly
available, resulting in a low WUE. As soil water becomes limited, the plants were expressing awareness to the water
deficit by increasing their WUE for improved survival rather than improved phytomass production. Inclusion of
belowground phytomass production in WUE calculations increased the WUE by 30%. Nenax microphylla showed
34
increased WUE under increased defoliation stress, regardless of the watering treatment. This indicates how the plant
defends itself, by increased WUE, against the factor that is causing the most harm to its survival at a given time. It
was clear that water had the greatest impact on phytomass production of N. microphylla. Unfortunately, land users
do not have control over the rainfall, and therefore the water available to Karoo shrubs. On the contrary, two of the
most manageable variables that influence plant response to grazing are frequency and intensity of grazing, which the
land manager has full control over. Rainfall interacts strongly with the impact of defoliation and it is therefore more
detrimental to graze Karoo shrubs when soil-water conditions are unfavourable.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: LONG-TERM INTERACTIONS OF GRAZING AND RAINFALL ON

VEGETATION COMPOSITION AT GROOTFONTEIN IN THE EASTERN KAROO
Justin Du Toit1* and Tim O'Connor2
1
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries - Grootfontein ADI, 2South African Environmental Observation
Network (SAEON), email: justindutoit@gmail.com
Rainfall and grazing are primary drivers of vegetation composition in the Nama-Karoo. Increased rainfall is directly
related to the abundance of perennial grasses, to where Nama-Karoo transitions to grassland. Severe grazing
treatments, (e.g. continuous or summer-only), generally result in an increase in grazing-tolerant dwarf shrubs and
annual grasses, and a decrease in perennial grasses. Grootfontein lies in the ecotone between the Nama-Karoo and
the grassland biomes, and is home to grazing trials that were stocked from 1934 to 2009, and from 1941 to
1985. The area has experienced higher than average rainfall in recent decades. Plant basal cover data collected in
the 1960’s and 2010’s on the two trials allow several hypotheses to be tested: 1) Historical severe grazing (until
1985) limits subsequent grassiness (Grazing Legacy Effect); 2) Severe grazing precludes increases in grassiness,
independent of rainfall (Herbivore Trap Effect); and 3) Historically leniently-grazed sites will transition to grassland
with increased rainfall (Biome Shift Effect). Results show that rainfall was lower in the ten years before surveys in the
1960’s (350 mm) than before the 2010’s (490 mm). The Grazing Legacy hypothesis was supported, in that
historically severely-grazed sites differed compositionally from historically leniently-grazed sites, despite all sites
becoming much grassier. The Grazing Trap hypothesis was not supported, because previously and currently
severely-grazed treatments shifted similarly to a grass-dominated stage. The Biome Shift hypothesis was partly
supported in that a shift to grassland did occur, but not always, and severity of grazing appeared to have no
influence. Results suggest that increasing rainfall has prompted a shift to much increased grassiness and decreased
abundance of dwarf shrubs, and that grazing had a smaller secondary effect. This implies that established veld
management principles may not apply to the same degree, and that the effects of rainfall, and drought in particular,
will be different from what they were in the past.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE EFFECT OF HUMAN IMPACT ON HABITAT USE OF SELECTED

LARGE HERBIVORE SPECIES IN THE EASTERN KALAHARI, SOUTH AFRICA
Hanno Kilian
Khamab Kalahari Reserve, email: ecologist@khamab.co.za
Habitat heterogeneity is a key driver of herbivore spatial distribution in natural ecosystems. In managed
environments the occurrence of herbivore species may be affected by vegetation cover, availability of surface water,
as well as human disturbance factors. Understanding the way that animals use available habitat is essential in
understanding the ecology of the landscape, therefore essential for sustainable wildlife conservation planning and
management. Large areas of the vegetation on Khamab Kalahari Reserve are heavily impacted by human actions
before the establishment of the reserve. Broad-scale applications of arboricides (Molopo) transformed large areas of
the vegetation layer from closed woodland to open woodland. This study is the first part of a broader study which
aims to determine the impact of bush encroachment on the ecosystem and focusses on the way that large
herbivores utilise the different habitat types of the reserve. This will provide insight into future impacts of bush
encroachment on herbivore populations, and whether management actions like bush clearing can provide suitable
habitat to the herbivore populations. Between the years 2014 to 2017, 25 monthly road strip counts were conducted
on a predetermined route to establish the distribution of herbivores. Their distribution was plotted on a habitat type
map of the reserve. To determine habitat type selection, it was necessary to determine a habitat visibility factor (fh)
for each herbivore species. This gave an estimation of the visibility of each herbivores species in the various habitat
types. A species visibility area (sv) was also calculated for each herbivores species, which is effectively the surface
35
area of each habitat type along the survey route in which each herbivore species was still visible. The results were
analysed using chi-square analysis which calculated the habitat type selection of the selected herbivore species. The
results of the analysis indicated distinct differences in the way that different species utilised the different habitat
types. Old cattle posts and open woodland on depressions were the most favoured habitat type on the reserve, while
dense and closed woodlands on sandy soils were the most disfavoured habitat types. The results also indicated that
blue wildebeest, springbok and zebra were the most selective species, while warthog, giraffe and white rhino were
least selective about which habitat types they preferred. The avoidance of closed and dense woodland habitat types
by most species suggests that expected increases of woody vegetation in the future will have a negative impact on
the populations of species like blue wildebeest and springbok. The general avoidance of habitat types on sandy soils
further suggests that nutrients likely also play a role, which warrants further investigation. We can conclude that
management actions on the reserve should focus on maintaining suitable open habitat if the long-term perseverance
of herbivore species is important. Management actions that focus on preventing bush encroachment will be critical
for the productivity of the herbivore populations on the reserve.
36
PARALLEL B: PLANTED PASTURE
SESSION CHAIR: YVETTE BRITS

Wednesday 25 July 2018, 08:35 - 10:15
Venue: ARC Training Parallel Room, Roodeplaat
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: IMPORTANCE OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN MEMBERS OF TRIBE

PHASEOLEAE (LEGUMINOSAE) IN PASTURE DEVELOPMENT
Letty Masemola1, Marike Trytsman1, Francuois Müller1* and Braam Van Wyk2
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2University of Pretoria, email: mullerf@arc.agric.za
Phaseoleae is the largest tribe in the Leguminosae family, indigenous to southern Africa. It contains 22 genera,
namely Alistilus, Bolusafra, Canavalia, Decorsea, Dipogon, Dolichos, Dumasia, Eriosema, Erythrina, Flemingia,
Galactia, Lablab, Macrotyloma, Mucuna, Neonotonia, Neorautanenia, Ophrestia, Otoptera, Rhynchosia,
Sphenostylis, Teramnus and Vigna. Many species within these genera are known for their high forage value. These
species include, but are not limited to Lablab purpureus, Neonotonia wightii and Vigna unguiculata. Therefore, the
Phaseoleae tribe may hold potential in developing more new forage species. To describe the 180 species within this
tribe in terms of their adaptation or range of tolerance to rainfall, mean annual rainfall and mean annual minimum and
maximum temperature, soil pH and phosphorus levels, a discriminant analysis was performed to determine which
predictor contributed mostly to species distribution as recorded by PRECIS (2008). Eriosema and Rhynchosia
contains large species numbers (46 and 59 respectively) and were analysed separately from the other 75 remaining
species. The section of the data for Eriosema, Rhynchosia and Vigna spp. will be discussed. Mean annual rainfall,
mean annual minimum temperatures and soil phosphorus (P) content were the main drivers for the distribution of
Eriosema into three groups. Most species were grouped in Group 1, i.e. high annual rainfall, intermediate minimum
temperature and soil P, indicating a limited distribution range. The main drivers for the separation of Rhynchosia
species into four groups are mean annual rainfall, soil pH and mean annual minimum temperature. Many of the
Rhynchosia spp. were recorded in all four groups, suggesting a high tolerance to these given independent variables.
The remaining species, with Vigna the largest group (20 spp.), were driven by mean annual rainfall and soil pH. The
majority of Vigna spp. were grouped in Group 3, recorded in high annual rainfall and intermediate soil pH regions.
Results show that discriminant analyses can be used to group species in the tribe Phaseoleae in terms of measured
variables to determine, firstly, their range of tolerance and secondly, to use this as a selection tool for further
screenings to select indigenous legume species with desirable attributes.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: COMMUNITY COMPOSITION AND DIVERSITY OF ENDOPHYTIC

FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH BRACHIARIA GRASS (BRACHIARIA SPP.) DURING THE DRY SEASON
IN KENYA
Leah Gachao, Joyce Njuguna and Sita Ghimire,
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), email: L.Kago@cgiar.org
Endophytes are all micro-organisms that live inside host plants, partly or wholly, throughout their life cycle without
causing any apparent harm or disease, but may form beneficial associations with the host. A study was conducted to
understand endophytic fungal communities inhabiting the aerial and root tissues of local Brachiaria grass ecotypes
grown in natural habitat after a four-month dry spell in early 2018 from a grazing field of the International Livestock
Research Institute’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. A total of 20 whole plant samples of Brachiaria grass were
collected. Fungal endophytes were isolated from surface disinfected, asymptomatic leaf, leaf sheath, and root tissues
of Brachiaria grass on Potato Dextrose Agar amended with an antibiotics cocktail. Fungal DNA was extracted using
MagAttract 96 DNA plant core kit and fungi were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic unit using ITS rDNA
sequence analysis. Our previous study on the fungal endophytes of local Brachiaria grass in the year with normal
weather conditions isolated 354 fungi representing 84 different fungal taxa. The current study characterizes the
fungal community of Brachiaria grass during the dry weather conditions, estimates species diversity and elucidates
the potential role of these microbes in growth and development of Brachiaria grass, including the adaptation to
drought and low fertility soils. Moreover, we will compare the results obtained from current and previous study that
differ in terms of weather conditions.
37
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE EFFECT OF PLANTING DATE ON YIELD AND BOTANICAL

COMPOSITION OF FORAGE HERB AND GRASS MIXTURES
Sigrun Ammann
Western Cape Department of Agriculture, email: sigruna@elsenburg.com
Forage chicory (Cichorium intybus) and Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), collectively known as forage herbs, have
recently become regular components of mainly dairy pastures. On most farms the forage herbs are planted in a
mixture with grasses and often clover species are added as a minor component. Trials were conducted at Outeniqua
Research Farm on mixtures of forage herbs with grass, compared with pure stands planted in spring (5/10/2016) and
autumn (15/3/2017) using a 4x4 balanced lattice design. Dry matter (DM) yield and botanical composition on a
biomass basis, were determined. The spring-planted trial had a substantial weed component of 37% to 65% at the
first harvest, dependent on the treatment. By January 2017 the weeds decreased to a mean of 28% for the herb
treatments and 84% for the grass only treatments. The autumn-planted trial had a mean of 13% weeds at the first
harvest, decreasing from there onwards. During the first summer the grass component was outcompeted by the
forage herbs, while the forage herb pure stands had the highest yields (p < 0.05), with chicory yielding best with 8.0 t
DM ha-1. From autumn 2017 onwards, all treatments with plantain, pure and mixed, out yielded (p < 0.05) the chicory
treatments and pure grass treatments, including the second summer. The chicory treatments were higher yielding
(p < 0.05) than the grass treatments. For the grass/herb mixtures the herb component dominated with 71% to 97%,
depending on the mixture. At 38.7 t DM ha -1, plantain had the highest DM yield over the 17-month period. The
highest chicory yield was 32.1 t DM ha -1 and was lower (p < 0.05) than the plantain. The pure grass treatments were
lower (p < 0.05) than all other treatments with a mean of with 20.6 t DM ha -1. In the autumn-planted trial the perennial
ryegrass component dominated and out-yielded in both the pure stands and in a mixture with forage herbs until the
end of winter. During spring the forage herb treatments were higher yielding (p < 0.05) than perennial ryegrass, while
during summer the pure plantain treatments yielded a mean of 8.4 t DM ha -1, which was higher than all other
treatments. The same was true for the total DM yield, with plantain sown at 10 kg ha -1 producing
22.0 t DM ha-1 during a 12-month period and perennial ryegrass at 15.3 t DM ha-1. In the autumn-planted mixtures
the grass-component was smallest at the end of January with 5%. The pure stands of forage herbs yielded
significantly better than the mixtures. In terms of pasture systems and how forage herbs can best be used, these
results indicate that there could be merit in rather planting a pure forage herb sward and a grass pasture separately,
where both are grazed alternatively during the same day to ensure sufficient fibre from the grass pasture to counter
the low DM content and high carbohydrate content of the forage herbs.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: A NEW NITROGEN FERTILISATION REGIME FOR MINIMUM-TILLAGE

KIKUYU-RYEGRASS PASTURE IN THE SOUTHERN CAPE
Charné Viljoen1,2*, Janke Van Der Colf1, Pieter Swanepoel2,
1
Western Cape Department of Agriculture, 2Stellenbosch University, email: charnea@elsenburg.com
The sustainability of current nitrogen (N) fertilisation regimes for minimum-tillage kikuyu-ryegrass (Pennisetum
clandestinum, Lolium multiflorum) pastures in the southern Cape are under scrutiny. The reason is that these
guidelines were developed for conventional tillage and non-grazing systems. Thus, the aim was to determine effects
of N fertilisation rates on soil and pasture characteristics. Nitrogen treatments were applied to a kikuyu-annual
ryegrass trial site (four replicates, 225 m 2 plots) at the Outeniqua Research Farm for two years. Nitrogen fertiliser
was applied after each grazing cycle (28 to 35 days) at five fixed rates namely 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg N ha -1 (N0, N20,
N40, N60 and N80). Prior to each grazing cycle by dairy cows, soil and pasture production characteristics were
determined, while botanical composition was determined seasonally. Response of total mineral N in soil to N
treatments varied (p <0.05) between grazing cycles. Total mineral N in the 0–100 mm soil depth increased
(p <0.05) over time in high N treatments (N60 and N80) compared to N0, for which it remained relatively constant
throughout the trial period. This was also evident for the 100–200 mm and 200–300 mm depths. These findings
indicate a build-up of N in soil to a point beyond what can be utilised by pasture, and an increased risk of leaching
when N is applied at ≥60 kg ha-1 grazing cycle-1. Pasture production response to N fertilisation was similar (p ≥0.05)
for all grazing cycles. Treatment N60 and N80 had, on average, a greater (p <0.05) pasture production compared to
the N0 treatment; however, this was not the case during all seasons. Pasture production was most negatively
affected (p <0.05) during winter and autumn season. The ryegrass component was greatest (p <0.05) during winter
38
and spring. All N-containing treatments had a greater (p <0.05) ryegrass component than the N 0 treatment. Season
and treatment affected (p < 0.05) the pasture crude protein (CP) content, where high N treatments was greater
(p < 0.05) relative to low N treatments. Results suggest that N fertilisation rates should be adjusted according to
season. Furthermore, in order to prevent N losses through leaching, while maintaining a high pasture production and
quality, it is advisable to apply no more than N40 after each grazing during winter and spring. Interestingly, applying
N20 after each grazing during summer and autumn will result in a similar pasture production as when applying N 80. In
addition N20 will ensure more acceptable pasture CP content for grazing dairy cows and induce a mineral N content
in the soil that is less likely to result in N leaching. Lower N rates during summer might be due to the kikuyu
component, which was greater (p < 0.05) during summer and autumn, regardless of the N application. This may
indicate sufficient soil N for pasture growth and is supported by a volunteer legumes component that was present in
low N treatments, particularly in spring and summer. This, together with a potential to mineralise N
(15-70 kg ha-1 grazing cycle-1) could have contributed to adequate N amounts for pasture growth during summer.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT NITROGEN APPLICATION RATES ON

THE DRY MATTER PRODUCTION AND BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF KIKUYU OVER-SOWN WITH
GRASS-LEGUME MIXTURES
Janke Van Der Colf
Western Cape Department of Agriculture, email: jankevdc@elsenburg.com
A limitation to the uptake of kikuyu-temperate grass-legume pastures in the southern Cape is the reported 60 %
decline in total annual pasture dry matter (DM) yield compared with kikuyu-ryegrass pastures. Strategic nitrogen (N)
fertilisation, based on applying nitrogen at lower rates or during specific times, could address this shortcoming. The
aim of this study was to determine the effect of N application rates on the pasture production potential of irrigated
kikuyu when over-sown with different grass/legume mixtures over a 3-year period. The four mixtures consisted of red
clover (Trifolium pratense), white clover (T. repens) and one of four temperate grasses viz. Italian ryegrass
(IC; Lolium multiflorum), perennial ryegrass (PC; L. perenne), Tall Fescue (FC; Festuca arundinacea) or cocksfoot
(CC; Dactylis glomerata). The experiment was a randomised complete block design, with treatments randomly
allocated within each block. Pastures were over-sown on an annual basis using a mulcher and Aitcheson seeder.
Nitrogen was applied at 0, 20 and 40 kg of N ha -1 (N0, N20, N40, respectively) after each grazing. Pasture yield (kg DM
ha-1) was determined every 28 to 35 days by cutting four 0.25 m 2 quadrats to a height of 50 mm per plot before
grazing. The mixture over-sown did not affect total annual DM production at the respective fertilisation rates during
the three years. The IC mixture was the only mixture where fertilisation rate had an impact on total annual DM
production, with the yield of the N0 treatment lower than N20 and N40 for year 1 only. Mean annual N efficiency (kg of
DM kg-1 of N applied) was greater (p < 0.05) for N20 than N40 for all mixtures over the 3-year period. Agronomic
nitrogen efficiency (kg of DM relative to N 0 kg-1 N applied) however, did not differ. With the exception the
N0 treatments and the N20 treatment of FC during Spring of year 2, clover content was below 30 % (recommended to
obtain a benefit from legume content) for all seasons during the study. The only notable effect on sown grass content
(%) was the greater (p < 0.05) ryegrass content of the N 20 and N40 treatments than that of N0 in the IC mixture during
winter and spring. The sown grass content in FC was lower (p < 0.05) than for other mixtures, irrespective of N rate
and season. This mixture also had a higher (p > 0.05) “weedy” volunteer grass content (Bromus spp. during winter
and Paspalum notatum during summer and autumn) than other treatments, particularly during winter and spring. This
component increased for all treatments from winter to autumn, being particularly high during summer and autumn
(40 - 83%). With the exception of year 1, the kikuyu content in pastures remained below 15% from winter to summer
for all treatments, and below 20% during autumn. These results indicate that previously kikuyu based pastures have
been replaced by pastures dominated by volunteer or weedy grasses. This is likely to have confounded N treatment
and mixture effects. To obtain the full benefit from temperate grasses and clover, these systems will have to undergo
complete renovation/re-establishment to remove competition from volunteer and weedy grasses. Where over-sowing
is the only option, IC is recommended.
39
POSTER SESSION
SESSION CHAIR: ROUXDENE DEYSEL
Wednesday, 25th July, 10:15 - 11:15
Venue: ARC Training Centre Dining Room, Roodeplaat
CLIMATE CHANGE
POSTER: ADAPTATION RANGES UNDER FUTURE BIOCLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF INDIGOFERA

AND LESSERTIA SPECIES PRIORITISED FOR FURTHER EVALUATION AS FORAGE CROPS FOR
WATER-LIMITED AGRO-ECOSYSTEMS
Francuois Müller1*, Marike Trytsman1, Lincoln Raitt2, Igshaan Samuels1,Clement Cupido1, Stephen Boatwright2,
and Samson Chimphango3
1
Agricultural Research Council-Animal Production Institute, 2University of the Western Cape, Department of Biodiversity and
Conservation Biology, 3University of Cape Town, email: mullerf@arc.agric.za
Currently there are only a limited number of introduced forage species suitable for dryland farming under water-
limited agro-ecosystems. The projected climate change scenarios for South Africa (SA), however, indicate a general
trend of becoming hotter and drier. Recently, a number of indigenous Indigofera and Lessertia species were
prioritised for further evaluation as forage crops within these water-limited agro-ecosystems. It is important, however,
to determine how future bioclimatic conditions could influence the distribution of these species. This in turn, will
influence prioritisation of germplasm collections which, in turn, could influence the agronomic potential of these
species. The DOMAIN model in DivaGIS was used to determine the climate adaptation, as well as the most limiting
bioclimatic factors, limiting the distribution of the selected legume species, using the 19 bioclimatic variables of the
Worldclim climate database version 1.4 at the resolution of 2.5 ARC minutes. The adaptation zones were overlaid
onto the different general soil classes of SA, and clipped to contain only soils on which the legumes occur. The
remaining areas were then calculated as the adaptation zones and changes in distribution of each legume species
between current and future bioclimatic scenarios were determined. I. heterotricha and I. meyeriana, as well as all
Lessertia species, showed an overall increase, while I. alternans and I. nigromontana showed an overall decrease in
their total predicted adaptation ranges throughout SA. All species, however, displayed decreases or no changes in
their highly adapted ranges from current to future bioclimatic conditions. Under the projected future bioclimatic
conditions of SA, the distribution of I. meyeriana, L. diffusa and L. excisa were found to be limited primarily by
precipitation variables. The distributions of all other Indigofera species as well as L. pauciflora and L. frutescence
were found to be limited primarily by temperature variables, while the distributions of L. depressa and L. inflata are
equally influenced by temperature and precipitation variables. Due to the variation in bioclimatic variables limiting the
potential distributions and suitability of the different legume species, germplasm collections should include collections
over a wide range of bioclimatic conditions in order to obtain a large variation of accessions, adapted to different agro
-ecological conditions. These genetic resources will be the raw materials needed for breeding accessions and
cultivars of Indigofera and Lessertia species suitable for specific agro-ecological conditions.
POSTER: BROWSE PLANTS AS A PROTEIN SOURCE DURING THE DRY SEASON IN THE
EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
Siza Mthi1* and Jean Rust2
1
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, 2Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture,
email: siza.mthi@drdar.gov.za
Veld and crop residues are a main source of ruminant livestock feed in rural Africa. Veld grasses have a low forage
quality during the winter season and do not meet the nutrient requirements for livestock year-round. Commercial feed
is too costly and unpopular in resource poor livestock production system. Therefore the use of browse plants to
supplement protein during the dry season to grazing livestock in small-scale farming systems is worthy of
consideration. The study evaluated the crude protein (CP) content of browse plants as protein source for ruminants
in the Eastern Cape. Nineteen browse plants (Vachellia karoo, Calpurnia aurea, Oleaeuropaea subsp. Africana,
Schotia latifolia, Grewia occidentalis, Rhus pyroides, Cordia rudis, Salanum mauritianum, Diospyros dichrophylla,
Vepris lanceolata, Prunus persica, Ziziphus mucronata, Zanthaxylum capense, Mimusops obovata, Cussonia
40
spicata and Diosporus lyciodis) were collected from Goso Administrative area under the Ngquza Hill Local
Municipality in June 2014 and brought to Dohne Agricultural Development Institute. Leaf fractions were oven dried at
400 °C for 48 hours and later ground in a Willey mill to pass through a 1 mm sieve prior to chemical analysis to
determine their respective protein contents. The CP was analysed using the procedures as outlined by the
Association of Analytical Chemistry (AOAC, 2002). The CP content on dry matter basis of the leaf fraction ranged
from 6 to 48 %. There was 21 % of the leaf fraction that had a CP content of < 7% (Vachellia karoo, Grewia
occidentalis, Mimusops obovata, Cordia rudis), 73.7% of browse plants had CP within the range of 7.25 to 20 %, and
5.3 % had a CP content of above 20 %. These findings indicate that the leaf fraction is the most suitable part of the
plant to use as protein source to address the low nutritive value of veld in winter. It is noteworthy that the leaf
of Salanum mauritianum had the highest CP content at above 20 %. Further research is necessary to determine the
tannin content, acceptability and digestibility of the browse plants and its protein. Effect of browse plants’ leaves on
animal performance as protein supplement warrants further study.
BUSH ENCROACHMENT
POSTER: RESPONSE OF SOIL AGGREGATE STABILITY ON DIFFERENT LEVELS OF BUSH

ENCROACHMENT AT HONEYDALE FARM, ALICE IN EASTERN CAPE (PRELIMINARY RESULTS)
Tanki Thubela1* and Solomon Tefera2
1
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, 2University of Fort Hare, email: thubelat@gmail.com
Bush encroachment is a form of land degradation that is noticeable globally, and predominantly in semi-arid areas.
Bush encroachment in savannas can alter carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) levels over the long-term, which could have
environmental implications. The impacts of bush encroachment on soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen and
soil aggregate stability were assessed at simulated different levels (12% 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) of
encroachment at Honeydale farm in Alice, Eastern Cape Province. Soil samples were collected at three depths (20-
40 cm, 41-60 cm and 61-80 cm) in all treatments and were separated into two for chemical analysis and for
aggregate stability, respectively. Samples for aggregate stability were air dried and passed through a 5-mm sieve.
Visible organic materials and debris were discarded. Aggregate stability was measured according to Le Bissonnais
(1996). Thereafter, three replicate soil samples were immersed in 50 mL deionized water and the material was gently
transferred to a 50 μm sieve that immersed in ethanol to separate it into 50 μm fragments. The remaining >50 μm
fraction was oven dried and sifted on a stack of sieves of 2000, 1000, 500, 250 and 50 μm pore size. The weight of
each fraction was then measured, and soil fraction <50 μm was calculated and expressed as the mean weight
diameter (MWD). The results indicated no consistency and less signs of soil aggregate instability, however
treatments with less bush density had higher figures of mean weight diameter. Soils from all treatments had an acidic
reaction at all sampled depths range. The exchangeable Ca 2+, which is said to promote aggregation, dominated the
exchange complexes of the soils. Soil organic carbon (SOC) content was less than 2% in all samples and decreased
with depth. The average SOC content for the soil at the site ranged from 0.32 to 1.17 % and it is suggested that
when SOC is at 2% is considered to be in a critical level, below which soil structural stability will suffer a significant
decline. Bush density had slight influence on soil aggregate stability.
POSTER: EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF BUSH ENCROACHMENT ON SOIL NUTRIENT CONTENT

IN SHESHEGU COMMUNAL RANGELAND, ALICE, SOUTH AFRICA
Sive Tokozwayo1*, Keletso Mopipi2 and Eric Timpong-Jones3
1
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, 2University of Fort Hare, 3University of Ghana
email: furaluke@gmail.com
Soil nutrients play a vital role in tree-grass interactions within an ecosystem. Soil pH, macro and micro elements are
determinants of vegetation productivity. Encroachment of woody plants in an ecosystem tends to outcompete
grasses. Competition between of grasses and woody plants impact the soil and a deficiency of soil minerals, can
lead to deficiency in the forages and subsequently of the livestock. The effect of bush encroachment on soil nutrient
content is well documented, but there is limited data available that clarifies the impact of bush encroachment on soil
properties such as soil pH, and macro and micro elements in communal grazing lands. The objective of the study
was to assess the effects of bush encroachment on soil nutrient content at Sheshegu communal rangeland. The data
was collected from four different bush densities: Scattered (15%), Moderate (30%), Mixed (45%) and Dense (60%)
41
with these densities replicated three times. A plot of 100 m x 50 m was demarcated in each replicate. Two soil
samples per bush density were sampled randomly using soil auger to a depth of 30cm. A total of 12 soil samples
were collected, oven dried for 48 hours at 60°c, and analysed for N, P, K, organic Carbon (OC), Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and
soil pH. Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) was used to determine the concentration of P, Mg, P, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu
using 1% of critic acid and 0.02M DI-ammonium Ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid. The standard Kjeldahl method
was used to determine N concentration. The Walkley-black technique was used to determine OC. Soil pH was
determined in 1M potassium chloride 2.5 KCL: 1 soil. The Dense treatment (60%) indicated high nitrogen content
compared to the Scattered (15%), Moderate (30%) and Mixed (45%) treatments, respectively. There was a low
concentration of OC at the Mixed (45%) treatment, but the concentration of OC revealed no significant difference (p
> 0.05) between the Scattered (15%), Moderate (30%) and Dense (60%) treatments. These findings showed that the
concentration of P and Fe in the soil decreases with an increase in bush density. Soil pH indicated a positive
relationship with increase in bush density. This implies that an increase in bush encroachment could have an impact
on soil nutrient content, particularly, P, soil pH and OC. Proper veld management practices are recommended to
mitigate bush encroachment, in order to improve rangeland condition in Sheshegu communal rangeland.
ADVANCES IN METHODOLOGY
POSTER: PERFORMANCE OF RATIO-BASED, SOIL-ADJUSTED AND ATMOSPHERIC-CORRECTED

MULTISPECTRAL VEGETATION INDICES IN PREDICTING HERBACEOUS ABOVE GROUND
BIOMASS IN A COLOPHOSPERMUM MOPANE TREE-SHRUB SAVANNA
Abubeker Hassen1, Walter Svinurai1*, Eyob Tesfamariam1 and Abel Ramoelo2
1
University of Pretoria, 2Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), email: wsvinurai@gmail.com
Accurate and near-real time estimation of herbaceous aboveground biomass (AGB) at farm level is crucial for
monitoring utilisation of pasture and proactive management of stock in semi-arid rangelands. Despite its importance,
remote sensing has rarely been used by range ecologists and managers in Zimbabwe. This study aimed to assess
the performance of classical multispectral vegetation indices (MVIs) when either singly regressed with measured
herbaceous AGB or combined with other visible spectral bands in predicting herbaceous AGB in a Colophospermum
mopane tree-shrub savanna. Field herbaceous AGB and corresponding Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI)
visible spectral data were collected during the 2016-17 rainy season. Relationships between measured AGB and
classical MVIs and extended models of MVIs combined with other visible spectral bands were analysed using
bootstrapped simple and stepwise multiple linear regression functions. When MVIs were singly regressed with
measured AGB, ratio-based indices yielded the highest r 2 value of 0.64 followed by soil-adjusted indices (r2 = 0.61)
whilst atmospheric-corrected MVIs showed the lowest r2 of 0.58 (p = 0.00). A significant improvement in herbaceous
AGB estimation was obtained by using a combination of classical MVIs and other visible spectral bands. Soil-
adjusted MVIs showed the greatest increase (44 - 46%) in r2 whilst atmospheric-corrected and ratio-based MVIs
poorly improved (less than 5%). The findings demonstrate that combining MVIs with Landsat 8 optical spectral
bands, especially green band provides the best models for estimating AGB in C. mopane savanna rangelands.
These findings emphasise the importance of testing band-MVI combinations when developing models for estimating
herbaceous AGB.
FEEDING ECOLOGY
POSTER: BITE SIZES OF GOATS IN RELATION TO CONDENSED TANNINS, THORNS AND OTHER
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
Ngoako Letsoalo1*, Ntuthuko Mkhize1, Dorian Van Dalen2, Ignas Heitkonig2 and Fred De Boer2
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University
email: letsoalonl@arc.agric.za
The optimal utilization of woody plants in savannas depends on a better understanding of plant-animal interactions.
Morphological structures of plants (e.g. spines, thorns and prickles) are reported to act as plant defences against
herbivory and have been shown to affect the foraging efficiency of mammalian herbivores. Moreover, condensed
tannins (CTs) have proved to mediate forage intake and energy uptake by browsers, due to their digestibility
reducing effects. In two short-term pen experiments (18 days and 6 days long), we investigated the effects of plant
42
morphological characteristics (i.e., thorn presence/absence, spine length, amount of leaves per branch) and leaf
chemistry (i.e. nitrogen and CT content) on the bite sizes of indigenous goats. We hypothesised that bite size would
be higher for spineless plants and will increase along with CT intake. We expected spine length to negatively affect
bite size, and the amount of leaves to have a positive effect on bite sizes. Nitrogen content was predicted to increase
bite sizes while CTs were expected to have an opposite relationship. For the first experiment, we orally dosed 9
goats with (i) 20 g of condensed tannins extract dissolved in 50 mL of water (high tannin exposure), another 9 goats
(ii) with 20 g of polyethylene glycol dissolved in 50 mL of water, and the last group of 9 goats (iii) with 50 mL of water
(control) before offering forage species. Goats were offered branches of Vachellia nilotica, V. tortilis, and V. Karroo
and their foraging behaviour was recorded. These branches were cut into pieces of approximately 50 cm that all had
more or less the same size and structure, and the exact weight was determined using a scale with a precision of
0.01 g. All goats were fed ad libitum Lucerne hay (Medicago sativa). The second experiment using the same goats
involved removal of thorns from branches and comparing bite sizes between branches within species. Goats were
conditioned for a week prior to the feeding trial to re-adapt to the diets. Feeding time, number of bites taken, and
weight loss of the branches was measured, in order to calculate bite size and bite rate. Bite size [g bite -1] of the goats
was calculated. As predicted, CT contents of the plants and proportion of leaves per branch were found to positively
affect bite size (Pearson: R > 0.6, N = 453, p < 0.001), and nitrogen content of the leaves and length of the spines
were negatively correlated to bite size (Pearson: R < -0.2, N = 453, p < 0.001). The main conclusions were that (1)
spine-absence is effective in reducing leaf loss to goats and, (2) supplemental treatment with CT did not affect bite
size, which indicated that bite size was not affected by total CT intake in the short term. This study extends our
understanding of browse-browser interactions, which represent important input to goat production and range forage
species management.
POSTER: THE BEHAVIOUR AND DIET SELECTION OF EXTRALIMITAL GIRAFFE IN THE LITTLE
KAROO, SOUTH AFRICA
Jamie Paulse1*, Vanessa Couldridge1,Clement Cupido2 and Francois Deacon1
1
University of the Free State, 2Agricultural Research Council-Animal Production Institute, email: jpaulse363@gmail.com
Due to their popularity for tourism, giraffes are being introduced outside their historical distributions into Thicket areas
within the Little Karoo region of the Western Cape. However, information regarding the activity budgets and diet
selection of these giraffes is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to achieve three objectives; to determine the diurnal
activity budget, diet composition and browsing levels, and the estimated browsing capacities of extralimital giraffe.
The study was conducted on two privately owned farms, namely Kareesbos Private Game Reserve and Tsumkwe
Private Game Reserves. Observations were completed on both study sites using the interval scan method, whereby
observations were conducted on all visible individuals from 6 am – 6 pm for four days every 3 months (winter, spring,
summer and autumn). Observations found browsing to be the most dominant activity displayed by both populations,
with walking and rumination being the second and third most dominant activity. Females browsed more than males at
both study sites. Dietary selection showed to be contrary to that found within their natural ranges
where Vachellia and Senegalia spp. are prominent. Four species (Pappea capensis, Portulacaria afra, Euclea
undulata and Searsia longispina) and five species (Searsia longispina, Euclea undulata, Pappea capensis, Vachellia
karroo and Grewia robusta) comprised approximately 90% and 80% of the giraffes’ diet in Kareesbos and Tsumkwe,
respectively. The importance of flower bearing species (Lycium spp. and Rhigozhum obovatum) increased during the
spring and summer seasons at both study sites. In addition to the diet selection, browsing by both giraffe populations
was shown to occur mostly below 2 m. Estimated browsing capacities for Kareesbos and Tsumkwe were 25 and 21,
and 107 and 88 ha per giraffe, respectively, for the respective browse height strata of less than two metres and five
metres. It is suggested that browsing capacities of less than two metres be considered when stocking giraffe and the
number of individuals adjusted accordingly on each farm, due to the continuous low browsing of giraffe at less than
two metres. Furthermore, results indicate that these giraffes have adapted to take advantage of forage available in
ecosystems outside their natural ranges. Low foraging heights suggests possible niche overlap with other browsers,
which may result in increased competition for food when it becomes limited. Long term ecological monitoring of
extralimital populations and appropriate management procedures are therefore required to avoid the displacement
and degradation of indigenous fauna and flora within the Little Karoo.
43
SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL STUDIES
POSTER: THE KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF SMALL HOLDING FARMERS CONCERNING

FEEDING SWEET POTATO VINES TO GOATS
Cynthia Fikile Luthuli1*, Fabian Nde Fon2 and Nokothula Winfred Kunene2
1
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2University of Zululand, email : fikile.luthuli@kzndard.gov.za
Goats are raised in conditions which do not allow them to achieve their maximum performance, nor express their
genetic potential. They are raised on poor quality feeds, with low energy and protein content. For goats to perform to
their full potential as small ruminants, it requires highly nutritious feed, especially during high producing periods.
However, supplementation can be done using fresh green feeds, protein blocks or vitamin supplements as well as
traditional food crops residues. This study outlines the knowledge and perceptions of goat farmers concerning
feeding sweet potato vines to goats. This study was conducted at KwaMthethwa community area, KwaMbonambi
local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, which consist of seven wards. Surveys were administered through structured
questionnaires and 15 households were interviewed per ward, making a sample size of 105 participants. Participants
were randomly selected at their willingness to participate in an interview. Data was analysed using frequency
procedure of SPSS 2015. Results of this study showed that 56.2% of the respondents were males and 43.8% were
female, demonstrating that male dominion in the farming sector, still exists. The results also revealed that 71% of
households keep goats for socio-cultural purposes such as lobola, traditional functions and status, whereas 15% and
9% is kept for income generating purposes and consumption, respectively. The majority of farmers (71.4%) were
aware of, and do, practice some sort of supplementary feeding. The source of feed being bought was 34%, of which
26.7% was sourced from food crop residues and 9% from the branches of indigenous trees. Farmers (72.4%)
cultivate sweet potatoes for different uses such as generating income (53.3%) or for consumption (27.5%). A further
8% use it for both consumption and income, whilst 16% do not cultivate sweet potatoes. Sweet potato vines were
being discarded as waste or burnt (32.4%), left on the field as green manure (25.7%), conserved as propagation
material (8.6%), and fed to livestock by 7.6% respondents, respectively. However most of the participants (78.1%)
rejected the use of sweet potato vines as feed to livestock. Their assumption behind rejecting sweet potato vines
needs to be studied further, since they believe that the vines cause fatal diarrhoea to goats. Domination of males in
livestock production sector is still high and the findings concur with previous studies that indicate that small holding
farmers keep livestock for socio-economic purposes. Most farmers seem to know about supplementation, however
they have little understanding concerning the concept of supplementation, since most were giving maize to goats
every afternoon for goats to come back for kraaling in the afternoons without herder. Government still has a major
role to play to ensure more women partake in agricultural sector. Furthermore, there is a need to develop farmers in
goat farming through training and workshops concerning supplementary feeding, for farmers to be able to
supplement in a profitable manner.
LAND TRANSFORMATION AND REHABILITATION
POSTER: A MAIZE PASTURE LEGUME INTERCROPPING SYSTEM FOR THE ABANDONED LANDS
OF THE EASTERN CAPE. HOW MUCH NITROGEN IS AVAILABLE FOR THE MAIZE CROP?
Gideon Jordaan1*, John Botha2 and Solomon Tefera3
1
Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Agrarian Reform , 2Agricultural Research Council , 3University
of Fort Hare, email : gideon.jordaan01@gmail.com
Old lands in the Eastern Cape Province suffer from low pasture productivity, brought about by a lack of diversity in
the forage species available. Previous trial work identified a suite of annual and perennial legume pastures to fill the
winter feed gap and significantly increase in animal production. However, to ensure long term sustainability these
pastures, need a good seeding rest every three years. For the temperate species, this is typically during the summer
season when maize is grown. The aim is to develop an intercropping system that could utilize any excess nitrogen
produced by the pasture legumes for maize production, while affording the legumes an opportunity to set seed. At
44
two communities (Sinqumeni and Kubedlana) each, a plot (15 m X 80 m) with an even stand of legumes was
selected in an existing grass and legume pasture. Herbage production was determined by cutting 1 m² quadrats
during November and May of each year. A 250 g grab sample was collected per plot for quality analysis purposes.
To determine soil nitrate-N levels, five soil sample cores were collected at random at 4 weekly intervals commencing
in November 2016. The samples were pooled per plot for analysis purposes. Both the herbage and the soil data
indicate that there was no excess Nitrogen available for the maize crop. From the soil data, a calculated 9 kg N ha -1
was available while the calculation of plant available nitrogen based on herbage data show that there was no
nitrogen available for the planted maize crop. There are a number of factors that can contribute to this, but in our
opinion the utilization of the pasture during the winter is the biggest factor. High quality forage is grazed by animals
and the nitrogen is then deposited in urine and dung in other areas such as kraals and around water points.
POSTER: THE EFFECT OF AN ACCIDENTAL SPRING FIRE ON THE SURVIVAL RATE OF LEGUMES
SPRAYED WITH HERBICIDE IN A REHABILITATED OLD LAND
Gideon Jordaan*, Craig Trethewey and Unathi Gulwa
Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, email: gideon.jordaan01@gmail.com
Old lands in the Eastern Cape Province suffer from low pasture productivity, due to low diversity in forage species.
The ECCAL project identified a suite of pasture legumes to fill the winter feed gap and significantly increase animal
production. However, to ensure long term sustainability these legumes, need a seeding rest every three years. For
the temperate species, this is typically during the summer season when maize is grown. This created an opportunity
to develop a system that could utilize any excess nitrogen produced by the pasture legumes for maize production,
while affording the legumes an opportunity to set seed. The cover on these rehabilitated old lands consist of a
mixture of grass and legumes which could have a negative influence on the germination and establishment of maize
seedlings. A herbicide trial was therefore designed with the aim of supressing grass and legume growth but allowing
the legumes to survive. A plot (15 m X 80 m) with an even stand of legumes was selected in a rehabilitated old
land. In November 2016 eight different herbicide treatments were applied in a randomized block design with four
replications. Species composition and stand density was determined by conducting a frequency count
annually during November and May. During the last week of October 2017 the entire plot was burnt down by a
runaway veld fire. This afforded us the opportunity to assess the effect that a late winter or spring burn will have on
the survival rate of the different legumes in a rehabilitated old land. Data collected in November 2017 (3 weeks after
the fire) indicated a reduction in legume numbers ranging from 42% in Arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum)
to 23% in Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) plants, compared ton the May 2017 count. It can be concluded that
legumes have the ability to survive a late winter or spring fire regardless of the application of herbicides during the
previous spring.
LIVESTOCK IMPACTS ON RANGELANDS
POSTER: EFFECT OF HIGH UTILIZATION GRAZING AND CONTROLLED SELECTIVE GRAZING ON

VELD CONDITION IN THE SOURISH MIXED BUSHVELD
Marsia Grobler1*, Michiel Scholtz1, Frikkie Neser2, Liesl Morey1 and Frikkie Calitz1
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2University of the Free State, email: mgrobler@arc.agric.za
Natural veld has long been acknowledged to play an important role in the South African beef industry. According to
the Department of Agriculture, approximately 80% of the South African agricultural land is only suitable for extensive
grazing. Therefore, grazing of beef cattle in these areas, is a practical method of meat production. The aim of the
study was to evaluate the effect of high utilization grazing (HUG) and controlled selective grazing (CSG) systems
over a four-year period (2011/2012 – 2014/2015) on veld condition in the Sourish Mixed Bushveld. The experimental
herd consisted of 92 Bonsmara cows, divided into four sub-herds consisting of 23 cows each. With the CSG
treatment, animals were moved from one camp to the next when approximately 30% of available grass dry matter
was utilized whereas with the HUG treatment, animals were moved when approximately 60% of available grass dry
matter was utilized. Veld evaluation was done during each consecutive growing season (October/November). Both
the area-based method and point-based method were used to determine: Basal cover percentage; Total canopy
cover percentage; Proportional canopy cover percentage of grasses; Standing biomass (kg/ha); Decreaser grass
45
species contribution (%); and Veld condition score (number out of 1000). The data was subjected to an appropriate
factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the repeated measurements as a Sub-Plot Factor. The Shapiro-Wilk’s
test was performed on the standardized residuals to test for deviations from normality. In cases where significant
deviation from normality was due to skewness, outliers were removed, until normal or symmetrically distributed. The
student's t-Least significant difference (LSD) was calculated at a 5% significance level to compare means of
significant source effects. All the above data analyses were performed using SAS version 9.3 statistical software.
The basal cover percentage of the HUG treatment decreased significantly from 2011/2012 to 2014/2015 and the
basal cover for the CSG treatment decreased slightly, although not significantly. The reason for the significant
decrease in grass plant basal size for the high utilization grazing treatment may be due to the higher defoliation of
grass leaves. The average standing biomass for the HUG treatment varied from 2394 kg ha -1 in 2012/2013 to
2994 kg ha-1 in 2014/2015 and for the CSG treatment from 2514 kg ha -1 in 2012/2013 to 3044 kg ha-1 in 2014/2015.
Over the four-year period, a significant difference was found between HUG and CSG (p = 0.001) mean veld condition
scores, but the differences over years was not significant (p = 0.51). The decreaser grass species increased slightly
from the first evaluation in 2011/2012 to the last evaluation in 2014/2015, for both treatments. These results indicate
that neither the HUG nor CSG had a negative impact on the veld in relation to the decreaser grass species
composition. It is also an indication that the veld was not under grazed or overgrazed. Note: This research is
financially supported by Red Meat Research and Development South Africa (RMRD SA) and THRIP.
POSTER: SPECIES COMPOSITION AND DIVERSITY IN PROTECTED AREAS AND ADJACENT

GRAZING LANDS IN GAUTENG PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
Moseketsi Mochesane* and Mamokete Dingaan
University of South Africa (UNISA) , email: sekimochesane@gmail.com
Grassland biomes globally are facing increasing anthropogenic pressure as human populations increase, resulting in
an increased need for the resources that grasslands provide. Likewise, South African grasslands are facing
increased habitat loss and fragmentation, and have thus become severely threatened, making them a priority for
conservation efforts. There are growing concerns about the potential ecological consequences of the increased
impact of human activities, especially loss of biodiversity. The knowledge and understanding of how resource
availability and environmental distress affect plant diversity is key to proper conservation and management of
grassland diversity. Our study aimed at providing more understanding on the interactions of environmental resources
and biodiversity, by comparing plant diversity between wildlife-protected areas and adjacent non-protected grazing
lands in the South African Grassland Biome. Three nature reserves were chosen around the Gauteng Province,
namely Roodeplaat Nature Reserve (RNR) in Tshwane, Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve (SNR) in Heidelberg, and
Abe Bailey Nature Reserve (ANR) in Carletonville. We selected three sites within RNR, SNR and ANR, and paired
these with adjacent sites in private farming/grazing areas adjacent to the nature reserves. At each site, species
composition and plant diversity were determined with the use of 50 m x 20 m Modified-Whittaker plots, making a total
of eighteen plots at the nine paired sites. Animal grazing was visually estimated at each site, based on the amount of
plant defoliation and trampling, soil disturbance, amount of dung, and animal footpaths. Three grazing intensities
were distinguished: low/no grazing, moderate grazing, and heavy grazing. Our results for the 1000 m 2 plots indicate
similar species richness (S) at two paired sites at ANR, but the third site had higher S in the adjacent private grazing
area than in the nature reserve. This moderately grazed site also had the highest component of grass species, both
inside and outside the nature reserve. At SNR, two moderately grazed sites had higher S in the
adjacent private grazing area. There was no difference in S on the third site, but the adjacent private grazing area
had a higher proportion of grass species. Two paired sites at RNR had similar S within the reserve and in the
adjacent private grazing area, but one of the sites had a higher proportion of grass species. The third paired site had
high S in the nature reserve compared to the adjacent private grazing area, however the site in the adjacent private
grazing area had a much higher proportion of grass species. With regard to grazing, the moderately grazed and
overgrazed sites had in general a higher number of palatable grass species as compared to the low grazing areas.
The low grazing and heavy grazing sites had a higher cover abundance of the unpalatable and this was evident with
the increase in species such as Hyparrhenia hirta and Cymbopogon caesius. The results suggest that species
richness in both wildlife-protected and non-protected private grazing area sites is influenced by grazing intensity and
this leads to lower S in over-utilised and under-utilized grasslands, compared to higher richness at moderately
utilised sites.
46
PARALLEL SESSION A: RANGELAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

SESSION CHAIR: JUSTIN DU TOIT
Wednesday, 25th July 2018, 11:15 - 12:55
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: HERBACEOUS AND WOODY VEGETATION RESPONSE TO LAND

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND SEASONS IN MOPANE SAVANNAH, NAMIBIA
Absalom Kahumba1* and Solomon Tefera2
1
University of Namibia, 2University of Fort Hare, email: akahumba@unam.na
Land management practices may affect the herbaceous and woody vegetation of savannah rangelands in different
seasons. This study, therefore, determined the herbaceous and woody vegetation distribution and pattern under
three land management systems (commercial ranch, game reserve and communal) over two seasons (summer and
winter) in the central northern Namibia. For herbaceous sampling, a total of five 0.25 m 2 quadrats were randomly laid
in each 250 m 2 belt transect in each of the three camps in each land management system. For woody sampling, a
total of three 250 m 2 belt transect were randomly laid in each of the three camps in each land management system.
A total of 23 grass species were identified in all three land management systems, of which 48 % were perennials and
52 % were annuals. In this study, Aristida meridionalis, Eragrostis trichophora, Enteropogon macrostachyus,
Eragrostis viscosa, Pogonarthria fleckii and Urochloa trichopus were classified as the most commonly occurring
species. The abundance of A. meridionalis responded significantly (p < 0.001) to land management systems being
greater in the game reserve than the ranch. Enteropogon macrostachyus was recorded only in summer showing
greatest (p < 0.05) and least abundance in the ranch and the communal land, respectively. The abundance of E.
trichophora was high (p < 0.001) in summer in the game reserve followed by the communal and ranch sites, whereas
in winter, the abundance was still greater in the game reserve followed by the ranch. The abundance of E. viscosa in
summer was greater in the communal lands than the game reserve, but in winter this species was recorded in
greatest frequency in the game reserve only. The occurrence of Pogonarthria fleckii was greater (p < 0.001) in the
ranch than the game reserve in summer. Urochloa trichopus was rarely recorded in the ranch in summer, but the
other land management systems showed similar abundance, though in winter Urochloa trichopus was recorded in
greater abundance in the ranch sites only. Herbaceous plant tuft density was different (p < 0.001) between the land
management systems, only in summer season being greatest in the game reserve and lowest in the communal area.
Herbaceous dry matter yield was significantly different (p < 0.001) between the land management systems, in
summer being greater in the game reserve than the ranch and communal areas. The total woody plant density was
significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the ranch (542 TE ha -1) than in the game reserve (449 TE ha -1) and communal area
(324 TE ha-1). The percentage of woody cover did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between the land management
systems. Woody plant density in the height classes of >0–1 m, >1-2 m and >2-3 m were considerably greater
(p < 0.05) in the ranch than the game reserve and communal area. The height class >3 m had the greatest density in
the game reserve, being higher than in the ranch and communal area. Therefore, this study concludes that land
management systems may greatly affect the herbaceous and woody vegetation of savannah rangelands in different
seasons.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: TREE-GRASS INTERACTIONS ACROSS A TOPO-SEQUENCE IN AN

AFRICAN SAVANNA
John Mhlanga1*, Monicah Mbiba2 and Justice Muvengwi1
1
Bindura University of Science Education, 2University of the Witwatersrand, email: tjgmhlanga@gmail.com
The savanna biome is characterized by a continuous herbaceous layer and a discontinuous layer of trees. The root
systems of trees and grasses enable co-existence, with grasses utilizing resources in the top layers, while trees
access water and nutrients from deeper layers of the profile. Although several studies have been carried out to
assess the effect of trees on diversity and biomass of the herbaceous community, little is known of the effect of
similar tree species occurring on different positions of the catena on herbaceous biomass and diversity. In order to
understand how soils across a topo-sequence influences tree-grass interaction, we sampled grass species
underneath Vachellia nilotica canopies as well as nearby open savanna matrix control plots. We hypothesized that
diversity and biomass of herbaceous plants is higher in vertisols and under tree canopies. In order to visualise
47
differences in grass species community composition between tree and savanna plots, and between the two soil
types, non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was carried out using the vegan package in R statistical
software. Generalized linear mixed effects models were applied using the lme4 package in order to determine the
influence of soils on grass on aerial cover, basal cover and biomass. There were significant differences in aerial
cover and basal cover between open savannas in both soils (p < 0.05). Biomass varied significantly between open
savannas in both soils (p < 0.05). Grass species composition was highly dissimilar between open savanna plots and
under tree canopy plots in fersiallitic soils only. On vertisols, under tree canopy plots and open savanna plots had no
effect on grass species composition. As expected, there were higher species diversity in fersiallitic soils and more
pronounced under tree canopies than in open savannas. This suggests that the shading effect and leaf litter from the
large trees have noticeable influence on vegetation in different soils. In conclusion, it is evident that composition and
diversity of grasses are greatly increased through tree canopy effects.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF PALATABLE AND UNPALATABLE

HERBACEOUS SPECIES ON A CONSERVATION TO COMMUNAL SAVANNAH RANGELAND
GRADIENT
Motlalepula Nchoe* and Chris Munyati
North-West University, email: mgtnchoe@gmail.com
Grazing intensity can induce changes in the relative abundance of herbaceous vegetation on savannah rangelands.
The induced changes can be used for evaluating rangeland management regimes. In this study the change in
abundance of herbaceous species with grazing management regime was investigated at Mahikeng, South Africa, in
two parallel transects from a game reserve to a private cattle ranch and then onto a communal grazing area. Along
the transect the numbers of palatable and unpalatable species were enumerated during March 2017, in 10 m × 10 m
plots at sampling intervals of 100 m. Significance of differences in the relative proportions were assessed using χ2
analysis. Spatial trends were mapped by interpolation in a Geographic Information System (GIS). The χ2 analysis
revealed significant differences in the relative abundances (p > 0.05) between the communal rangeland and both the
game reserve and private cattle ranch rangelands. There were significantly higher proportions of unpalatable species
on the communal rangeland. Indicative palatable species were Brachiaria serrate, Digitaria eriantha, and Eragrostis
lehmanniana, with the unpalatable species being Aristida congesta, Cymbopogon pospischilii, and Eragrostis
gummiflua. Spatial interpolation revealed a gradient towards the communal rangeland. Since the rangelands were
adjacent (with similar soil and rainfall) and had similar types of ungulate grazers which included cattle and donkeys
on the communal and private ranch, and zebra and buffalo on the game reserve, the differences were attributable to
differences in grazing management. In comparison with the sedentary grazing on the communal rangeland, grazing
was rotated on the private cattle ranch. The relatively large size of the game reserve ameliorated the effects of high
grazing intensity since the ungulate grazers could roam over a large grazing area.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: LONG TERM PERFORMANCE OF AFRINO SHEEP UNDER

DIFFERENT STOCKING DENSITIES WITHIN THE UPPER KAROO SHRUBLAND, SOUTH AFRICA
Christiaan Harmse
Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, email: cjj.harmse@gmail.com
It is perceived that Karoo shrublands of South Africa are generally stocked in excess of the recommended stocking
rate to increase profit margins under extensive farming conditions. This led to the establishment of a long-term
stocking rate trial west of the town, Carnarvon in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Since 1988, four
stocking rates (8, 7, 5.5 and 4 ha small stock unit-1 (SSU)) were applied in a rotational three camp grazing
management system using Afrino sheep. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of four different stocking
density treatments on sheep production by making use of 16 years of historical weight data. The sheep in the grazing
trial were weighed every 14 days and were replaced in the month of October each year. From this long-term study,
animal performance did not vary markedly between treatments over the 16 years, except for gains per hectare when
comparing the stocking densities during drought and wet seasons. Animal performance had a curvilinear relationship
with seasonal rainfall, an indication that a rainfall year of 240 mm is optimal for sheep production in the Western
Upper Karoo region. The average long term annual rainfall measured at the stocking rate trial was 219 mm.
Production potential is further influenced by rainfall, where the meat grade quality was found to be lower (p < 0.05)
48
during the wet seasons compared with the drier seasons. The mean group weight for the very light stocking density
(VLSD, 8 ha SSU-1) treatment (911.8 ± 122.8 kg) was similar to the measured group weight for the heavy stocking
density (HSD, 4 ha SSU-1) treatment (851.4 ± 118.0 kg). The mean for the daily live weight gain per animal
calculated was unaffected by treatments. The mean live weight gain found under the HSD treatment was 48.9 ± 34.0
g per day. The highest (p < 0.05) recorded mean live weight gain was found under the light stocking density (LSD, 7
ha SSU-1) treatment with 62.7 ± 30.7 g per day. Lower performance due to higher energy outputs towards grazing
and finding high-quality forage was expected to take place under HSD. However, the weight gain and overall group
weight results of the HSD treatment did not confirm this. Differences in sheep performance were only found under
drought conditions. From these results, it is evident that on condition that a well-managed three-camp rotational
grazing system is implemented, conservative increases in stocking rate can improve profitability in a sustainable
manner during non-drought situations in the Karoo rangelands of South Africa.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: EFFECTS OF PTERONIA INCANA (BLUE BUSH) INVASION ON

GRASS BIOMASS PRODUCTION, SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND SOIL CHEMICAL
CHARACTERISTICS UNDER SYSTEMATIC CONTROL METHODS
Keletso Mopipi, Thando Ntutha* and Solomon Tefera
University of Fort Hare, email: 01009337@ufh.ac.za
Pteronia incana (Blue bush) invasion of communal rangelands in Ngqushwa district of the Eastern Cape has
emerged as a serious problem, raising the need for the development of control methods to improve the ecosystem.
The objective of this study was to investigate the invasiveness, control methods and effects of Pteronia incana on
grass species distribution, herbage production and soil chemical characteristics. The experiment was conducted in a
270m x 100m trial site that was established in 2014. The site is located at 33°14’ 287”S, 027° 08’ 284''E and is 322 m
above sea level. The area was divided into 3 open (grazing) and 3 fenced (rested) plots, each measuring
45 m x 100 m and were established down a slope gradient. Each plot was divided into four equal sub-plots to apply
the control treatments. Therefore, the trial layout was a stratified block experiment of four treatments replicated three
times. The four control treatments were chopped and rested (CR), rested without chopping, (RWOC), grazed and
chopped (GC) and grazed without chopping (GWOC). The species composition was not affected (p > 0.05) by the
treatment but most of the grasses were perennial species. The herbage height and basal cover had greater values
(p < 0.05) under rested and chopped (CR), followed by grazed and chopped (GC) treatments. Grass biomass
production and essential nutrients showed greater concentrations (p < 0.05) under the CR treatment. It was
concluded that the chopping and resting (CR) treatment was the most effective treatment in controlling P. incana
invasion and allowing recovery of the herbaceous vegetation, though it is suspected that after some time the shrub
may re-establish from the soil seed bank.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL VALUE OF GRAZING LAWNS IN

RANGELAND ECOSYSTEMS
Gareth Hempson
South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), email: ghempson@gmail.com
Grazing lawns underpin some of Africa’s most productive natural grazing systems, but yet are largely undervalued in
a rangeland context. Consequently, the potential for higher grazer productivity that is also ecologically sustainable
may be foregone in some rangeland ecosystems. However, establishing and maintaining grazing lawns requires
frequent grazing, which under some environmental conditions can instead result in overgrazing, and substantial
declines in primary and secondary productivity. Thus, before advocating widespread management for grazing lawns
in rangeland ecosystems, a number of important questions need to be addressed. These include: 1) how do we
recognise a ‘valuable’ grazing lawn, 2) where does frequent grazing produce lawns, and where it will result in
overgrazing, and 3) what are the benefits and limitations of grazing lawns, and how could they best be integrated into
rangeland management plans? Here I provide an emerging perspective on the potential role of grazing lawns in
rangeland ecosystems, based on a synthesis of recent ecological literature, preliminary analyses of frequently
grazed grass communities in South Africa and Tanzania, and a new trait-based framework for understanding grass
responses to grazing. This synopsis aims to stimulate further discussion and research on the opportunities and risks
associated with managing for grazing lawns in rangeland ecosystems.
49
PARALLEL B: DEDICATED POSTER VIEWING SESSION FOR PLANTED

PASTURE
SESSION CHAIR: SIGRUN AMMANN
Wednesday 25 July 2018, 11:15 - 12:35
POSTER : PRELIMINARY RESULTS: EVALUATION OF DRY MATTER YIELDS AND PRODUCTION

TRENDS OF NINE CULTIVARS FROM FOUR TROPICAL GRASS SPECIES
Msawenkosi Fano Msomi* and Cynthia Fikile Luthuli
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, email: msawenkosi.msomi@kzndard.gov.za
The sustainability of forage production in tropical and subtropical areas is affected by environmental and climatic
conditions. Certain varieties of forage species may show better adaptability to certain conditions and produce greater
yields throughout the growing season. A study was conducted at Owen Sithole Research Station near Empangeni,
KwaZulu-Natal to evaluate three Panicum maximum cultivars (Gatton, Tanzania, Mombaca), three Brachiaria
brizantha cultivars (Marunada, Xaraes, BRS Piata), two Brachiaria humicola (Humicola, Lianero) and one Brachiaria
decumbens cultivar (Basalisk) in terms of dry matter yield and use in livestock production systems to increase fodder
availability. The area has a sub-tropical climate and is frost free. The trial was laid out in a fully randomized block
design with three replications under dryland conditions and with a nett experimental plot size of 10 m x 2 m. The
results for the 2016/17 growing season showed that some cultivars performed differently during different seasons i.e.
summer and winter. The best summer yield was for P. maximum, cv. Gatton (3.3 t DM ha -1) and the lowest from B.
brizantha cv. Xaraes (1.5. t DM ha-1). During the winter, the highest DM yield was for the B. decumbens cultivar
Basalisk (4.3 t DM ha-1). The P. maximum cv. Gatton produced the second highest DM yield (3.3 t DM ha -1).
The Brachiaria brizantha cultivars Marunada and PRS Piata, and Brachiaria humicola cultivar Lianero were dormant
during winter. The winter and summer yields of all three Panicum cultivars compared well, with Gatton as best
performer. The Brachiaria decumbens cultivar (Basalisk) performed well in both seasons and seemed to be, as the
Panicum cultivars, tolerant of cold. The Brachiaria brizantha cultivars Marunada and BRS Piata seemed to be
sensitive to cold, and Xaraes, which produced some material in winter, performed poorly in both seasons. The data
produced can assist in cultivar choices for the farmer in terms of total yields and seasonal production trends. The
trial will continue to collect data from three years of results and will be replicated under irrigation. Nutritional values
will be also compared between cultivars and seasons.
POSTER: THE RELATIVE DRY MATTER YIELD POTENTIAL OF VARIOUS EARLY-, MEDIUM- AND
LATE-FLOWERING FORAGE CEREAL CULTIVARS
Patrick Rakau*, Lesedi Sere, Mpho Nzeru, Dave Goodenough and Thembinkosi Mkhize
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, email: rakaup@arc.agric.za
Annual forage cereals including white oats (Avena sativa), black oats (A. strigosa), red oats (A. byzantina),
rye/stooling rye (Secale cereale) and Triticale (x Triticosecale) are frequently sown during the autumn months under
dryland conditions for subsequent grazing by livestock during late autumn, winter and early spring. An experiment
was planted in April 2016 to compare dry matter yield of early-, medium and late-flowering forage cereal cultivars.
This experiment was conducted on a Hutton soil type at the Cedara Research Station in the KwaZulu-Natal Mistbelt,
South Africa (29º 32´S 30º 16´ E), at an altitude of 1075 m. The total rainfall recorded during the trial period from the
planting date through to the final cut was 166 mm. Seed of 30 forage cereal cultivars of the above-mentioned
species was sown at the recommended sowing rates with three replications in a 5 x 6 balanced lattice trial with a
gross plot size of 2 m x 6 m and a nett plot size of 1.4 m x 4.6 m. All plots received 50 kg N ha -1 and 50 kg K ha-1 as
1:0:1 when the seedlings were approximately 10 cm high and the same amount again after each herbage cut. The
plots were cut four times with a mower blade set at 5 cm above ground level when the plants reached grazing height.
The fresh herbage was weighed within two to five minutes of cutting and the samples dried in an oven set at 75 ºC.
Early-flowering cultivars, for example the rye cultivars LS 35 (1,05 t ha -1) and SSR 727 (1,48 t ha-1), generally yielded
relatively well in late autumn (Cut 1: 07 June 2016) when they were in the early reproductive/flowering phase.
Medium-flowering cultivars such as the stooling rye cultivars PAN 263 (0,96 and 2,79 t ha -1) and NCD Grazer (0,65
50
and 2,97 t ha-1) yielded relatively poorly during late autumn (Cut 1: 07 June 2016) but relatively well in late winter
(Cut 3: 01 August 2016). On the other hand, late-flowering cultivars such as the Triticale cv. PAN 299 (2,64 t ha -1)
and the stooling rye cultivar LS 62 (2,89 t ha -1) were amongst the highest yielding cultivars as they moved into the
reproductive phase in late winter and early spring (Cut 4: 20 September 2016). ANOVA indicated significant
differences (p < 0.05) among early, medium and late-flowing cultivars, although the LSD showed that mean dry
matter yields for early vs. medium and for medium vs. late-flowering cultivars were not significantly different. The
LSD and CV for the total dry matter yields of the 30 different forage cereal cultivars were 1.15 and 11.11 %
respectively. While forage cereal cultivars that are highly ranked in total dry matter yield should be noted in deciding
which forage cereal cultivars to utilize, careful consideration must be given to their flowering behaviour and their
POSTER : CLIMATIC AND EDAPHIC TOLERANCE OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN SPECIES OF

INDIGOFERA (LEGUMINOSAE)
Marike Trytsman1*, Letty Masemola1, Francuois Müller1 and Braam Van Wyk2
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2University of Pretoria, email: MTrystman@arc.agric.za
The genus Indigofera is being evaluated for possible pasture potential of certain species occurring within the genus.
There are at least 196 Indigofera species indigenous to southern Africa. Distribution records show that species in the
genus Indigofera occur primarily in the Savanna and Grassland Biomes. The majority of Indigofera species are
herbs, followed by shrubs and dwarf shrubs. Even though nearly 12 Indigofera species are known to contain
indospicine, a free amino acid that causes hepatotoxicity (Fletcher et al. 2015), a few species have
been through a forage selection and evaluation process. These include I. alternans var. alternans and
I. vicioides var. vicioides (contains indospicine) with Müller et al. (2017) prioritising I. meyeriana and I.
nigromontana for further evaluations for water-limited pasture systems. The aim of this work was to describe the
Indigofera species indigenous to South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho, in terms of their adaptation or range of
tolerance to mean annual rainfall, mean annual minimum and maximum temperatures, soil pH and phosphorus
levels. A discriminant analysis was performed to determine which bioclimatic and/or edaphic predictor contributed
mostly to species distributions, as recorded by PRECIS (2008). A high correlation between distribution and mean
annual rainfall and soil pH were noted. Species such as I. auricoma and I. exigua are listed only in one group, having
several occurrences in the Kalahari Duneveld and Namaqualand Hardeveld Bioregions, respectively. These species
are therefore narrowly adapted to these bioclimatic and edaphic conditions. Overall, Indigofera species are found
mostly in the Central Bushveld and Mesic Highveld Grassland Bioregions and fall in the 400–800 mm mean annual
rainfall regions with a soil pH level of < 6.4. Species identified as having a high pasture value and
adapted to low soil P, are I. alternans var. alternans, I. cryptantha var. cryptantha (contains indospicine), I.
rhytidocarpa subsp. rhytidocarpa, I. torulosa var. torulosa and I. vicioides var. vicioides (contains indospicine). Of the
few species adapted to low soil phosphorus levels and relatively low rainfall, Indigofera alternans var. alternans is the
only herb recorded, occurring mainly in the Central Arid Region Group. These results shows that the genus
Indigofera has numerous promising species available for further screening and pasture evaluations.
POSTER: OVERSOWING ITALIAN RYEGRASS (LOLIUM MULTIFLORUM VAR SUPREME Q) INTO

IRRIGATED KIKUYU (PENNISETUM CLANDESTINUM) FOR IMPROVED TIMING AND QUALITY OF
FODDER PRODUCTION
Donna Berjak* and Derryn Nash
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development , email: Donna.Berjak@kzndard.gov.za
Oversowing Italian ryegrass into kikuyu in autumn can be an aid to improving quality and quantity of pastures during
the winter and early spring months. A trial conducted on Cedara research station in KwaZulu-Natal in 2016 and
2017, aimed to test the use of glyphosate herbicide at two levels and four different times of application vs the
mechanical method of mowing at two levels to set back the kikuyu enough to oversow with Italian ryegrass (Lolium
multiflorum). Glyphosate was applied at 400 mL ha-1 or 800 mL ha-1 either three weeks, two weeks, one week or one
day before planting. The mowing treatments were to cut to a kikuyu residual canopy height of 5cm or 2cm one day
before planting. A pure ryegrass control was attempted by applying glyphosate at 4 L ha -1 (Lm control) for a complete
kill of the kikuyu. In the second year no herbicide was applied, but all plots were mowed to 2 or 5 cm before planting
to determine any carry-over effects of the herbicide. The first year (2016) autumn results were erratic, with no clear
indication of which herbicide concentration or time of application was superior, seemingly environmental effects
51
overshadowed time of application or concentration of herbicide. In spring, there was very little differences in yield
between treatments, apart from the kikuyu control, which was the lowest yielding. Total yields across treatments in
2016 were not significantly different, averaging 17.1 t DM ha -1, with the exception of the unexpectedly low yielding
ryegrass control. The second year (2017), no herbicide was applied and the trial was planted later in the season,
leading to a low yielding autumn. In winter all treatments were similar, except for a significantly higher yield for the
ryegrass control and lower yield for the kikuyu control. Total yields across treatments in 2017 were not significantly
different, averaging 14.2 t DM ha-1, except for the ryegrass and kikuyu controls, which were lower. Year two had
lower over-all yields than year one, as it had a shorter season. The time of year that pasture was available and the
species of grass dominating differed between treatments. What is important is that for oversown kikuyu between 4 to
6 t DM ha-1 of pasture is available when it is needed more (in autumn, winter and early spring), and that it was of a
better quality than pure kikuyu. Over two years it appeared that oversowing ryegrass into kikuyu gave a yield
advantage over either species alone. The time of planting remains critical – an earlier planting, without herbicide,
runs the risk of being swamped by kikuyu regrowth, planting too late may limit ryegrass production until late winter or
early spring. The success and cost to this exercise is irrigation, as it will not be successful if planted dryland.
POSTER : DOES SEED SIZE, EMERGENCE RATE AND VIGOUR RELATE TO VARIATION IN
PRODUCTIVITY OF WINTER CEREALS IN RELATION DROUGHT IN THE MPUMALANGA HIGHVELD
Norman Modau Magoro*, Thabile Joyce Mokgakane, Ontiretse Keromecwe, Collen Rabothata and Jan Theron
Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, email: magoro@mpg.gov.za
Winter cereals play a principal role in maintaining livestock condition during winter months in the Highveld. Due to
the potential of these species to achieve high winter yields and forage quality, they remain the preferred species for
green winter feed for highveld mutton producing animals. Despite harsh environmental conditions, the Highveld in
Mpumalanga is a stronghold for South Africa’s agricultural production, boasting large herds of mutton sheep. Recent
evidence shows that climate change, particularly trends related to increased seasonal variability of rainfall, has led to
increased constraints on water availability in both rain-fed and irrigation-based agriculture. However, the effect of
climate change, particularly those leading to below mean annual precipitation (MAP) in the Highveld, on the
productivity of winter cereals is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess whether below average rainfall would
adversely affect the production potential of winter cereals the Highveld area. Assessing whether resistance of winter
cereals to drought is associated with seed size of cereal cultivars was a secondary aim of this study. Three winter
cereals species (Avena sativa cv. Overberg (Oats), Triticale hexaploides cv. Cloc 1 (Triticale) and Secale
cereale cv. LS62 (Stooling rye)), were evaluated. Each treatment was replicated three times in
a randomised experimental design (plot = 1 ha) and greenhouse experiment that were planted mid-March 2014 at
the Athole Research Station. The study was carried out seasonally from 2014 to 2017 in order to take into account
the effect of seasonal variation on productivity. The ten year average for total autumn rainfall at the Athole Research
Station is 320 mm. The actual rainfall during the four year study period was 70, 269, 325 and 439 mm for 2014 to
2017, respectively. Seed size of the varieties evaluated were categorized according to seed weight as large, medium
and small for A. sativa, T. hexaploides and S. cereale, respectively. Production potential (kg DM ha -1) was evaluated
a week before grazing during the second week of June each year using an exclosure cage, a 0.16 m 2 quadrat and
falling plate. Productivity was associated with rainfall seasonality. There was a significant positive correlation
between drought level (rainfall/soil moisture availability) and yield two of two species (A. sativa, R2 = 0.90 and S.
cereale, R2 = 0.86). Therefore, yields for consecutive years of study for the respective species were significantly
different (p < 0.05). Emergence rate was evaluated as percentage of seed germinated for each species at regular
day intervals (7d - 42d) and simultaneously vigour was inferred. Avena sativa and Secale cereale had significantly
higher (p < 0.05) emergence and vigor than T. hexaploides during seasons with above normal rainfall, with the
opposite true (p > 0.05) when rainfall decreased below normal (320 mm). The species with either large or small
seeds (oats and stooling rye respectively), showed a greater ability to maintain yield potential during periods of
moisture stress resulting from below average rainfall. In contrast, triticale was able to emerge, but not maintain
production, during periods of short term water stress. We thus conclude that the results support the research
hypothesis of winter cereals productivity varying with drought level. We recommend that producers should consider
interchanging winter cereals based on the predicted or apparent rainfall, rather than being reliant on one species
alone. Alternatively, T. hexaploides should be diversified with the other two cultivars during any one year to maintain
forage production during unexpected drought conditions.
52
POSTER: HIGH ATMOSPHERIC DROUGHT EXACERBATES THE EFFECTS OF GROWTH UNDER

MODERATE SOIL WATER CONTENT IN GUINEA GRASSES
Juan Andres Cardoso*, An Notenbaert, Solomon Mwendia and Michael Peters
International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), email: j.a.cardoso@cgiar.org
There is a growing interest in Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus, formerly Panicum maximum) for its use as
forage to feed livestock under a range of sub-saharan African (SSA) conditions. Traits related to a plant’s water use
influence the fitness of genotypes for specific rainfall and evaporative demand environments. Atmospheric vapor
pressure deficit (VPD) has been widely recognized as the force driving transpiration in plants, thereby influencing
their efficiency in water use. The objective of this work was to test genotypic differences in water use efficiency
(WUE: biomass produced per amount of water transpired), biomass production and leaf senescence of 126
accessions of M. maximus under three levels of VPD conditions (1.5, 3.0 and 4.0 kPa) and two irrigation conditions
(soil kept at 90% and 60% of field capacity) under greenhouse conditions for two weeks. Overall, WUE, biomass
production and leaf senescence were not affected in most genotypes when growing under moderate atmospheric
and soil drought (3.0 kpA of VPD and 60% field capacity) when compared to plants growing under low atmospheric
drought (1.5, kPa) and soil kept under 90% of field capacity. However, growth under high atmospheric drought (VPD
of 4.0 kPa) resulted in reduced WUE (15% to 22% of reduction under soil kept at 90% and 60% of field capacity
respectively) and biomass (26% to 35% under soil oil kept at 90% and 60% of field capacity respectively). Under
moderate soil water content (60% of field capacity) and high atmospheric drought (VPD of 4.0 kPa), at least a two-
fold increase in leaf senescence was recorded for all genotypes tested compared to the others treatments. Carbon
starvation and hydraulic failure were likely the basis of reduced WUE and biomass and increased leaf senescence
under high atmospheric drought and moderate soil water content in all genotypes tested. Our results suggest that the
more productive Guinea grasses (15 genotypes showing biomass production of ~3 g pot -1, which could be translated
into an estimated productivity of above 25 ton dry matter hectare -1 under high fertility conditions) could be suitable
options for forage production, without big yield penalties, in tropical agro-ecosystems across SSA where short,
frequent and mild droughts and low atmospheric evaporative demand conditions are common (i.e., a range of humid
to sub-humid agroecosystems with annual precipitation above 900 mm). Further research is needed to test promising
genotypes under field conditions. This work was partially funded by CGIAR Research Program on Livestock (flagship
on Feeds and Forages) and BMZ funded project "Improved forage grasses: Making the case for their integration into
humid- to sub-humid livestock production systems in Kenya and Ethiopia".
POSTER: EFFECT OF FIBRE CONTENT ON THE IN VITRO DRY MATTER DEGRADABILITY OF

FEEDLOT DIETS
Sanele Jiyana1*, Mamothaladi Moshidi1, Moses Ratsaka1, Khanyisile Mbatha2 and Maxwell Mkhwanazi3
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2University of South Africa, 3Gauteng Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development, email: jiyanas@arc.agric.za
Appropriate dry matter degradability (DMD) results in the efficient absorption of nutrients into the blood stream of an
animal. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the effect of fibre content on the in vitro DMD of beef cattle
finisher diets. The study procedure was approved by the ARC – AP (Irene) Research Ethics Committee, reference
number: APIEC15/047. Stomach tube was used to collect rumen fluid from three Nguni steers (380 ± 25 kg live
weight) fed a feedlot finisher diet. Rumen fluid was collected within two minutes per animal, which was then poured
into a pre-warmed flask and sent to the laboratory within 20 minutes, where it was filtered through 2 layers of
cheesecloth and kept at 39 °C under constant flushing with CO 2. Treatment diets with three crude fibre contents
(41,54 %, 18,18 % and 10,77 %, referred as diet 1, 2 and 3, respectively) were used in the study. Dried feed samples
were weighed (0.5 g) into nylon bags (5 cm x 10 cm; 40 µm pore size) and heat-sealed. Samples were incubated in
ruminal fluid combined with a buffer solution (1:4, vol/vol) for 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 hours according to the in
vitro (IV DaisyII) procedure. After incubation, bags with feed residues were rinsed thoroughly with tap water until
water ran clear, dried in a forced-air oven at 60 °C for 48 hours and weighed. Dry matter disappearance data were
fitted to the equation: Y(t) = a + b (1 – e-ct), where Y(t) = dry matter disappearance (%) at time (t) hours, a = soluble
or rapidly degradable fraction, b = insoluble or slowly degradable fraction, c = fractional rate constant of degradation
of b (1/h), t = incubation time and e = base for natural logarithm. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) on the
DMD of treatment diets for all incubation periods. A notable difference was observed in DMD (Mean ± SD) at 48
hours of incubation with 54,9 ± 0,71 % for diet 1; 61,6 ± 0,38 % for diet 2 and 71,5 ± 0,79 % for diet 3. A high fibre
content such as in diet 1 (41.5 % CF) resulted in a marked decline in the DMD of the feedlot diets evaluated.
53
POSTER: EFFECTS OF BIO-WASTE APPLICATION ON VIGNA UNGUICULATA AND PENNISETUM

PURPUREUM PASTURES ON LIGNIFICATION RATE OF STEM AND LEAF CARBOHYDRATE AND
STRUCTURAL PROTEIN FRACTIONS
Florence Nherera-Chokuda1*, Mukengela Claude Muya1, Mary-Jane Thaela-Chimuka1, Wisani Goodness Mushadu2
and Vincent Maphahla2
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2Limpopo Department of Agriculture, email: nhereraf@arc.agric.za
Planted grasses and legumes are less expensive feed sources compared to grain based concentrates and provide
dietary fibre that is crucial for stimulating rumen activity. Fibre fractions (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, cutin, silica)
and crude protein availability determine relative forage value (RFV). Legumes tend to have a higher nitrogen and
lignin content per kg fibre than grasses, although the latter have a higher tensile strength. Reducing lignification of
fibre through genetic manipulation affects plant morphology and viability; hence soil fertility practices that minimize
lignification of protein and carbohydrate fractions are preferred. Inorganic fertilizers improve pasture growth and
lower lignin content, but are not environmentally friendly. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of bio
-digestate application on Vigna unguiculata (VU) and Pennisetum purpureum (PP) pastures and evaluate quality of
lignified nutrient fractions. The hypothesis was that organic fertilization would improve the uptake of soil nutrients and
minimise lignification of plant carbohydrates during the early growth period. A factorial experiment (factor 1: forage
type- legume vs grass; Factor 2: three levels of digestate application) was done in a temperature-controlled
environment using potted plants. Vigna unguiculata (VU) and vegetative material of PP were planted in pots that
were fertilized using semi-solid digestate from a cattle/sheep abattoir. Samples of stems and leaves were harvested
weekly from 21 days to flowering point in VU and 6 weeks for PP to assess carbohydrate lignification. Samples of
stems and leaves were analysed for total fibre and crude protein, soluble and insoluble fractions and indigestible
components following 300 hrs of in vitro fermentation. Interrelationships between fibre fractions and organic N and C
were determined and comparative synthesis of variance in lignin complexes between VU and PP were assessed.
Preliminary results show that application of the organic resin improved leaf N of both PP and VU by 12 and 14.5%,
relative to control plots. Leaf and stem lignin content of both VU and PP were less than 2% at 21 days; however,
rapid accumulation was noted in PP stems from week 5 reaching 18% NDF in dry matter (DM) and 5.3% unavailable
carbohydrate. There was a similar trend in VU however; leaf lignin was lower for VU at flowering (4.1% DM)
compared to the PP at all fertilization levels. At most, 9.1 % dry matter disappearance (DMD) was noted for PP
lignocelluloses (high organic matter plot) disappeared by 240 hrs and no significant change was noted thereafter;
materials from had significantly lower rates of disappearance. There was no variance in VU disappearance across
treatments over the 300 hr fermentation period and maximum disappearance was 7.2% DMD, which was higher
(p < 0.01) than control (4.4% DMD). Pasture fertilization with animal sourced bio-digestate did not result in significant
sloughing of lignified cellulosic materials and further research on application methods and determining optimum bio-
digestate application rates is essential to achieve higher nutrient supply from pasture.
POSTER: THE IMPACT ON WOOL PRODUCTION YIELD OF GRAZING DOHNE MERINO SHEEP ON
BIDENS PILOSA (BLACK JACK) INFESTED PASTURES IN THE HIGHVELD
Petros Khoza*, Ernest Nkambule and Marco Scheltens
Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs , email: khozapetros@gmail.com
Bidens pilosa is a pioneer weed listed as a global invasive species found in disturbed grazing lands and planted
pastures, which are used for grazing. It forms dense stands that can out-compete, out-grow, and eliminate native
vegetation of the lower strata. Its burrs are a nuisance to people, sheep and also a troublesome seed contaminant as
they are difficult to separate once attached to wool during grazing. It creates challenges during both shearing and
acts as undesirable foreign object during packaging of wool, thus negatively influences the yield and price of wool
production. The coincidence of wool shearing season with the seeding period of B. pilosa in the Highveld negatively
affects wool production. The Dohne Merino breed, the main wool producing sheep of the Highveld, is highly affected
by contaminants of B. pilosa. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of B. Pilosa contamination on wool
production yields of Dohne Merino sheep breeds in the Highveld of Mpumalanga Province. This study serves to
quantify the damage on wool profits and highlight the significance of controlling B pilosa on grazing lands. The study
was conducted at the Athole Research Farm in the Highveld region of Mpumalanga Province. The data was
collected during three consecutive shearing seasons. Three groups of 150 Dohne Merino sheep were separated and
54
grazed on camps with various levels of B. pilosa infestation demarcated as none, low and high infested pasture
camps. The groups of sheep were shorn, packaged and weighed separately to determine wool yields and analysed
using excel. There was no difference in wool production yield between sheep in none infected and camps with low B.
pilosa. Mean wool production yields per small stock unit of 3.0 kg, 2.6 kg and 2.0 kg were observed for none, low
and high B. pilosa infested camps, respectively. The results demonstrate that wool production yield per sheep is
inversely proportional to pasture infestation by Bidens pilosa, thus wool production yield increases with a
concomitant decrease in infestation of the grazing camp. It is therefore recommended that wool producing sheep or
any fleece producing livestock be prevented from grazing on camps infested with B. pilosa. The use of none fleece
producing livestock at correct stocking rates will enhance re-establishment of indigenous vegetation and eliminate B.
pilosa. These biocontrol mechanisms are economically viable and more sustainable than the use of highly expensive
labour intensive physical and chemical control mechanisms.
POSTER: SPECIES COMPOSITION AND BIOMASS PRODUCTION IN TWO COMMUNAL COASTAL

RANGELANDS OF THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
Sinethemba Matshawule1 and Solomon Beyene2*
1
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, 2University of Fort Hare, email: sbeyene@ufh.ac.za
This study investigated the influence of season, distance from homesteads and topography on species composition
and biomass production in two communal rangelands surrounding homestead areas, in Dyamdyam and Machibi in
the Eastern Cape. At Dyamdyam, rangelands are set on a flat slope. Therefore rangelands were divided according to
distances from homesteads into near (up to 1 km), middle (> 1–2 km) and far (> 2–3 km). At Machibi rangelands are
set on steep slope. Therefore, rangelands were divided into position on hill-slope into bottom, middle and top sites. In
each site a Homogeneous Vegetation Unit (HVU) of 50 m x 20 m was used and six 0.25 m 2 quadrats were laid
randomly on each HVU. Herbaceous species found within a quadrat were identified, counted and their height and tuft
diameter were also measured. Herbaceous species were also harvested, bulked and placed into well labelled brown
paper bags and oven-dried for 48 hours at 60 oC to determine biomass production. Herbaceous species were
classified according to their palatability, ecological status and life form. Data were collected for two seasons over
2014/15 (winter and summer). A total of 20 herbaceous species were identified in the study areas. Of these, 17 were
grass species. The most common or dominant grass species were Themeda triandra, Cynodon dactylon, Erograstis
capensis, Erograstis plana and Sporobolus africanus. Themeda triandra had a higher frequency of occurrence at the
far site than at the middle and near homesteads sites at Dyamdyam. The frequency occurrence of S. africanus at
Machibi was similar in all the study sites. Density of herbaceous species was significantly lower on near and bottom
sites at Dyamdyam and Machibi, respectively. In both winter and summer, far and top sits at Dyamdyam and Machibi
respectively, had higher (p < 0.05) biomass production. The biomass production was significantly higher in the
summer than the winter across the study sites in both study areas. It can be concluded that season, topography and
distance from homesteads are important factors that affect biomass and grass species composition. Therefore,
rangeland management programs in communal grazing lands should consider these factors. Adoption of rotation
grazing in communal rangelands is recommended to improve grass species diversity and biomass production.
POSTER: EFFECT OF FRESH LUCERNE AND CONCENTRATE SUPPLEMENTATION ON MILK

PRODUCTION OF JERSEY COWS GRAZING KIKUYU PASTURE IN SPRING
Portia Mamothaladi Moshidi*, Nelisa Apleni, Mukengela Claude Muya and Florence Nherera-Chokuda
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, email: Moshidip@arc.agric.za
During spring, kikuyu pasture has high content of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC); however, dry matter and fibre
content are low. The low fibre content affects fibrolytic enzymes-that affect, nutrient digestibility and subsequently
intake, health and performance. Kikuyu is also high in oxalates, which reduce absorption of calcium and exacerbates
metabolic disorders in lactating cows. High energy and high fibre feed and forage hay are critical for sustainable milk
production in spring and early summer when nutrient supply from pasture is limited. Supplementing lucerne during
spring would increase diet NSC, structural carbohydrates and calcium. The objective of the study was to determine
effects of fresh lucerne (CP: 21.1 %; ME: 9.8 %; NDF: 42.7 5) and concentrate supplementation on milk production
of lactating Jersey cows grazing kikuyu pasture (CP: 22.9 %; NDF: 27.8 %; ME 11.6 MJ/kg) during spring. Twelve
mid-lactating primiparous Jersey cows (from the Dairy herd of the Bethel Agricultural College in Butterworth (Eastern
Cape) were used in a randomised complete block design experiment. Three weeks before the start of the study,
55
Jersey cows (DIM: 105 ± 11; BW: 398 ± 34 kg; 13.6 ± 8 kg) were assigned to one of six blocks of two cows, based
on milk production during the two weeks prior. The two treatment groups were 1) control (not supplemented with
lucerne), and 2) supplemented with 2.5 kg d-1 of chopped lucerne hay. Cows in both groups received 6 kg d -1 (as is)
of concentrate. Milk yield was recorded daily and milk samples collected on one day weekly to determine milk
composition. Body weight (BW) was measured at start and end of the experimental study (30 days). Milk yield
averaged 14 kg d-1 and did not differ between the two groups. Milk protein and lactose did not differ between the two
groups and averaged 3.71% and 4.79 % respectively, but milk fat concentration was increased (p < 0.05) by
supplementing lucerne (4.5 vs 4.25 %). On average, both groups produced 0.64 and 0.53 kg d -1 of milk fat and
protein, respectively. Milk urea nitrogen values were within acceptable ranges, but were slightly lowered (p = 0.04) by
supplementing lucerne (13.5 vs 15.9 mg dL -1). The initial and final BW did not differ between the two groups. The
absence of change in milk performance suggests that at the current feed intake, no rumen condition could justify
supplementation of additional buffering fibre from lucerne hay.
56
LAND TRANSFORMATION AND REHABILITATION
SESSION CHAIR: TERCIA STRYDOM

Wednesday, 25th July 2018, 13:55 - 12:15:35
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: CAN ECOSYSTEMS RECOVER SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT HUMAN

INTERVENTION? DEGRADED VS NATURAL GRASSLAND
Nobuhle Mweli1*, Zivanai Tsvuura2 and Terry Everson3
1
University of KwaZulu-Natal/ NRF/ SAEON, 2University of Namibia, 3University of KwaZulu-Natal
email: nobuhlemweli@gmail.com
Grassland degradation leads to the loss of ecosystem services valuable to humans, and causes negative impacts on
landscapes and their functional abilities. The severity of degradation means more time and resources required to
rehabilitate a landscape and therefore become a serious challenge. Various methods are used to assess ecosystem
health and functioning and one such method is the Landscape Function Analysis (LFA). The LFA method is a field
based technique which examines the functional status of rangelands. The LFA method is used to determine the
impacts of transforming a grassland for crop production in a communal area, where subsistence farming is the
dominating form of land use. The objective was to assess the recovery of old crop fields for the restoration of
biodiversity in the catchment area. The study was conducted in Okhombe, located in the Bergville district, northern
Drakensberg, where five previously cropped (PC) and five adjacent pristine grassland treatments were surveyed as
reference sites. The PC treatments are degraded and have not been utilised for approximately 5 years, and are
therefore under recovery with no human intervention. On the other hand, the pristine grassland found adjacent to the
PC treatments have not had any severe disturbance, however, have been used for grazing by livestock. Two 50 m
transects were laid out to measure landscape organization indices of patches and inter-patches (number, length,
width) which characterize the landscape structure. For each plot, eleven soil surface indicators were assessed,
recorded and, class ranks were given for each indicator. The classes represented an estimate of the observed patch/
inter-patch surface assessment for each indicator and each class was then grouped into their appropriate landscape
index, namely: stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling. Soil samples were also collected to analyse for physical and
chemical properties. Moreover, species richness and diversity was assessed using a Braun Blanquet sampling
method. An independent samples t-test was used to test for difference between species richness, diversity,
landscape organisation and soil surface assessment for each PC treatment. The results indicated that the pristine
grasslands were significantly more functional compared to degraded areas based on several indices (p < 0.024).
However, diversity and richness did not vary as p > 0.125. Species found on the PC area were mostly invading weed
species such as Bidens pilosa, Conyza floribunda, Senecio madagascariensis and Tagetes minuta, to some
extent Cymbopogon caesius and Panicum ecklonii; with high clay content, low pH and moderate (50%) infiltration
rates and low soil stability. The adjacent grasslands had more grass species, including Aristida junciformis,
Diheteropogon amplectans, Eragrostis curvula, Cymbopoon caesius and the herb Chamaecrista grandulosa, with
high soil stability, infiltration, 60% and pH. Severe grassland disturbances impacts greatly on vegetation structure
and soil stability. Monitoring grassland areas that were previously transformed for agricultural purposes provides
adequate information on measures to be taken in order to restore biodiversity.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: WORKING FOR WATER PRIORITISATION PLAN: TOWARDS A

STRATEGY FOR MANAGEMENT OF INVASIVE ALIENS FOR THE TSITSA RIVER CATCHMENT,
EASTERN CAPE
Sukhmani Mantel1* and Anthony Palmer2
1
Rhodes University, 2Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, email: s.mantel@ru.ac.za
Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) is an invasive alien plant that was introduced to South Africa in the middle to late
1800’s, however since then it has expanded across the landscape particularly into the Eastern Cape grasslands.
Black wattle is a high priority taxon for clearing by the Working for Water (WfW) programme as it is the top taxon
responsible for reduction of the naturalised mean annual runoff of South Africa. This paper will present the results of
57
an area prioritisation plan for WfW’s clearing of invasive aliens in the Tsitsa River catchment, where Ntabelanga and
Laleni Dams are being planned in the Eastern Cape. The plan was developed through feedback obtained during a
workshop attended by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), WfW, the Gamtoos Irrigation Board (the
implementing agent in the catchment) and other Rhodes University researchers working in the catchment. A Multi-
Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), an analysis that aims to achieve multiple, conflicting objectives in decision-
making, was conduced using spatial datasets (or criteria) entered into ArcMap to output clearing priorities for areas
(pixel size 250 m x 250 m) in the Tsitsa catchment. Two of the criteria that were entered into the analysis included
disturbed areas (or old cultivated lands) and riparian zones, both of which are particularly vulnerable to invasion;
other criteria were soil erodibility and average density of invasive aliens. The criteria included and their weighting in
the analysis are informed by the feedback obtained from the workshop participants and the output is therefore
relevant for WfW’s work. This research has implications for delivery on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) #6
(Clean Water and Sanitation) and #15 (Life on Land) because invasive alien plants threaten the ecosystem’s integrity
and services provided.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MATLABAS MIRE, LIMPOPO

PROVINCE: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT
Antoinette Bootsma1*, Steven Khosa2, Albert Pieter Grootjans3 and Piet-Louis Grundling4
1
Limosella Consulting Pty Ltd, 2South African National Parks, 3University of Groningen, 4Centre of Environmental Management,
University of the Free State, email: antoinette@limosella.co.za
The Matlabas wetland is a mire located in the headwaters of the Matlabas River, Marakele National Park, Limpopo
Province. Various seepage zones and artesian peat domes are contained in this system that consists of two
tributaries of which the western one is partially channeled. The mire’s two tributaries are located on fairly steep slopes
of approximately 4.6% to 6.3%, but are well vegetated. The vegetation is dominated by Miscanthus junceus and
several sedge species, and can be correlated to different organic and mineral soils. The occurrence of decaying peat
domes and desiccated areas of vegetation, as well as the apparent erosion on the western tributary, have raised
concerns on the health of this wetland. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight results of our assessment on
the hydrology and vegetation of the Matlabas Mire and the implications thereof on the management of this wetland. A
network of piezometers was installed in the mire and results confirm that the system is mainly groundwater fed.
Chemical analysis and temperature recorded in the transects indicates an isolated water source which does not mix
with surface water. This is linked with isotope analysis of the age of peat in various sections of the mire. Results of
the analyses found that the mire is primarily sustained by lateral seepage water that hydrates the peat. However,
upward movement of deeper, chemically distinct, groundwater was recorded. Erosion was shown to be a natural
process in the mire stabilised by the rough structure of the tussocks and rhizomes characteristic of the vegetation.
However, since the construction of a road, erosion has become more pronounced. This road intercepts some
seepage water from the surrounding slopes. This slightly changes the energy of the water to produce surface water
flows with a higher energy than is the case in an undisturbed scenario. This study shows that desiccation of peat and
its subsequent physical and chemical breakdown is related to the current erosion channels. The result is that erosion
formation accelerates beyond what the mire is able to balance through sediment input and sustained seepage water
input from the slopes. Rehabilitation should aim to firstly reinstate the hydrological drivers of the mire (sufficient
subsurface lateral input of water to sustain the peat) and secondly to stabilise priority gullies and headcuts.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: SEED MIX TYPE AND PLANTING METHOD DO AFFECT RESTORED
GRASSLAND DIVERSITY
Stuart Demmer*, Kevin P Kirkman and Michelle J Tedder
University of KwaZulu-Natal, email: 214518784@stu.ukzn.ac.za
Restoration ecology is a growing discipline and its application is resulting in numerous commercial start-ups,
however, diversity and seed reintroduction at restoration sites remains a constant barrier to successful restoration.
Several commercial seed mixes and mechanical planting methods have been developed to overcome these barriers.
Whether commercial mixes are sufficiently diverse is understudied, while mechanically planting harvested seed often
requires clean seed, causing some species to be removed from the mix. Fluid seed drilling techniques have been
proposed to overcome these challenges. By suspending the seed in a cellulose based gel matrix which is injected
into the soil with a mechanical planter, variably sized naturally harvested seed can be reintroduced to restoration
58
sites. No formal evaluation of fluid seed drilling’s effectiveness and interactive ability with other planting techniques
such as smoke water seed priming is known. This study therefore aimed to assess the grass recruitment, biomass
production and diversity responses of commercial and harvested seed under different planting methods. Three seed
types; Eragrostis tef, commercially obtained Biomosome® grassveld rehabilitation seed mix (BGR) and locally
harvested veld seed mix (HVS) were planted under greenhouse conditions using four planting method treatments;
seed only, seed and smoke water, fluid seed drilling, and a combination of smoke and fluid seed drilling. These data
were analysed using generalised linear modelling and multivariate analysis of variance and ordination techniques. All
recruitment proportions differed significantly. Eragrostis tef (0.53 ± 0.02) showed the greatest germination proportion
followed by BGR (0.34 ± 0.02) and HVS (0.21 ± 0.02). Biomass production was greatest under HVS whilst BGR
and E. tef resulted in similarly lower biomass production. Planting method did not affect seed recruitment proportion
or biomass production. Shannon H diversity results for recruitment and biomass distributions were similarly high for
BGR (1.10 ± 0.05 – recruitment, 0.76 ± 0.06 – biomass) and HVS (0.96 ± 0.05 – recruitment, 0.52 ± 0.06 –
biomass). Eragrostis tef diversity was consistently lower (0.09 ± 0.05 – recruitment, 0.11 ± 0.6 – biomass).
Multivariate analyses of BGR and HVS showed spatial separation of seed types and seed type x planting method for
recruitment data and seed type for biomass data. BGR showed a higher recruitment similarity than HVS. Greater
biomass distribution heterogeneity was detected under HVS than BGR. An overall dissimilarity of 74.79 % between
BRG and HVS was calculated. Here Cynodon dactylon (34.15%), E. curvula (21.26%), E. tef (13.28%), Panicum
maximum (11.46%), Plantago lanceolata (5.78%), Chloris gayana (3.10%), and Themeda triandra (3.09%)
contributing importantly to this dissimilarity. This study showed that planting method effects on seed recruitment,
biomass production, and diversity are minimal and so fluid seed drilling techniques should be explored further. Seed
type can, however, greatly affect restored community plant density, biomass and diversity. Whilst BRG and HVS
showed similar diversities, their species compositions differed. More homogeneous BGR communities suggested
that these communities may be less adapted to ecological change compared to HVS communities. Careful
restoration seed mix selection is advised.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: SEEDLING GROWTH OF DIFFERENT GRASSES GROWN ON MINE

SOIL FROM A DISTURBED AREA WATERED WITH SOLUTIONS OF VARYING SALINITY (NaCl)
Mziwanda Mangwane1,2*, Ignacio Casper Madakadze2, Florence Nherera-Chokuda1 and Sikhalazo Dube3
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2University of Pretoria, 3International Livestock Research Institute
(ILRI), email: mziwanda.mangwane@yahoo.com
The spread of toxic substances in opencast coal mines threaten the ecosystem and wellbeing of human beings,
which necessitates phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is a technique that involves the use of green plants to
remove elemental contaminants from the soil into above ground through shoot biomass. This experiment was
conducted to examine the salinity tolerance of different forage grasses grown on mine soil. Twenty seeds
for each of Eragrostis curvula (L.) cv Ermelo, Lolium multiflorum (L.) cv Archie and AgriBoost, Cynodon
dactylon (L.) cv Bermuda and Panicum maximum (L.) cv PUK8 were sown in pots containing mine soil and watered
once daily using distilled water. At the two leaf stage, seedlings were thinned out to 10 seedlings per pot followed by
an application of NaCl solutions of 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1 000 mS m -1 or treated mine water (557 mS m-1). The
experimental setup comprised of 3 pots × 5 varieties × 8 treatments × 4 sampling periods (weeks) over 2 runs. At
each sampling period, 3 pots/variety/treatment were destructively sampled to determine biomass production. Salinity
significantly affected the total biomass over four weeks. Entry × treatment interaction was significant (p < 0.001) on
total biomass. In all NaCl solutions, biomass production increased linearly for all entries until week 2, beyond which it
declined sharply up to week 4. Despite the decline, Archie, AgriBoost, Ermelo and PUK8 produced fairly high
biomass at 400, 600 and 800 mS m -1 at week 3. Entry × treatment interaction was significant (p < 0.001) on the rate
of decline. Post week 2, biomass reduction for Archie, AgriBoost Ermelo and Bermuda declined with increasing
salinity. PUK8 biomass reduction increased with increasing salinity. Biomass production for all varieties increased in
a quadratic pattern when watered with treated mine water. Archie, AgriBoost, Ermelo and PUK8 showed a potential
for phytoremediation of opencast coal mines irrigated with treated mine water.
59
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: EFFECT OF VETIVER GRASS COMPETITION AND SOIL NUTRIENT

STATUS ON NATIVE GRASSES
Lindokuhle Xolani Dlamini*, Michelle J Tedder and Kevin P Kirkman
University of KwaZulu-Natal, email: Leendoh.lx@gmail.com
Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) is a densely tufted perennial C4 grass from central India, used
worldwide for soil and water conservation. It is a hardy, fast-growing, and densely rooted grass enabling it to
withstand most environmental hazards (drought, frost, and floods). Worldwide use of vetiver is grounded in the
claims that it does not compete with neighbouring grasses and it is not invasive. Recent studies have demonstrated
that nitrogen deposition has dramatically risen after the industrial and agricultural revolution, and is expected to
continue rising. Such increase is predicted to alter plant species coexistence, particularly in grasslands, through
making limiting resources non-limiting, hence eliminating the competitive trade-off that allows species coexistence.
The claims about vetiver competitive ability were investigated using a pot trial examining the competitive interactions
between vetiver and four native grasses (Eragrostis curvula, Digitaria eranthia, Panicum maximum and Hyparrhenia
hirta) under different soil nutrient levels. Vetiver tufts were growing with one native species per pot and the
experiment was a full factorial design, laid out in a completely randomized arrangement with six replicates of each
treatment combination, and 24 treatment combinations in total (i.e. N =144). Nutrient addition was achieved using
80% Hoagland’s solution (N=172, P=25, K=188mg L-1), and the relative interaction index (RII) and the percentage
change in yield (Ry) were used as indices to assess the effect of competition and nutrient status on native grasses.
Vetiver exerted a weak competitive effect on all native grass tufts, except for D. eriantha, under low nutrient status.
Vetiver exerted a facilitative effect on D. eriantha under low nutrient status. However, vetiver exerted a strong
competitive effect on all native grass species under high nutrient status, except for P. maximum, which responded
similar under low and high nutrients conditions. This suggests that, generally, vetiver competes directly with native
grasses irrespective of soil nutrient status, but its competitive ability increases with increase in soil nutrient status. As
expected, all native species benefited from nutrient addition, with D. eriantha gaining substantially greater
aboveground biomass (271.9% ± 23.9) compared to E. curvula (181.9% ± 28.27), H. hirta (192.27% ± 24.25),
and P. maximum (169.48% ± 10.92), which did not differ significantly from one another. Overall, narrow-leaved
grasses (E. curvula and H. hirta) had a weak competitive ability compared to broad-leaved grasses
(P. maximum and Digitaria eriantha). Therefore, morphological traits are important to consider in competition studies
and could predict species that might co-exist with vetiver. As soil nitrogen continues to increase globally, this will
affect co-existence between native grasses and vetiver, with vetiver gaining an increased competitive advantage
over native grasses. For this reason the claims that vetiver does not compete with neighbouring grasses need to be
reconsidered and caution taken when using vetiver for soil and water conservation.
60
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER VIEWING

SESSION CHAIR: MIKE PEEL
Wednesday, 25 July 2018, 15:55 - 17:00
Meet promising young scientists as they present their ideas

for exciting new research at the Research Proposals
Sessions. Collect a bead from each author and stand a
chance to win a prize at the Gala dinner on Thursday!
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: AN ECOLOGICAL STUDY OF TARCHONANTHUS

CAMPHORATUS (CAMPHOR BUSH) IN THE NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA
Imke Jutta Stehn* and Nico Smit
University of the Free State, email: ijstehn@gmail.com
Bush-thickening resulting in decreased agricultural productivity, inaccessible thickets and increased occurrence of
pseudo-droughts is a common phenomenon in the semi-arid southern African savanna. Until recently, land users
paid little attention to Tarchonanthus camphoratus, but there is a growing awareness of the potential threat that this
species presents, largely because it: (1) reproduces sexually (seeds) and asexually (root suckers), (2) is evergreen,
thus requires water all year round, (3) is not readily browsed by domestic livestock or game, and (4) is fire tolerant.
To ensure effective management of T. camphoratus this research is aimed to obtain a better understanding of the
ecology of this species. The research will be conducted in the Rooipoort Nature Reserve west of Kimberley in the
Northern Cape Province on deep well-drained sandy soil and on shallow rocky soil. The proposed methods
include: (1) a study of the phenology of marked trees by allocating a monthly leaf carriage score with classification of
leaves into different phenophases and noting the presence of flowers and fruits, (2) monthly measurements of shoot
lengths and base diameters to measure growth rates, (3) assessment of the coppicing ability of cut plants that were
felled in summer and winter to compare the effect of season of cutting on regrowth, (4) determination of the existence
of a soil seed bank and performing germination tests on these seeds , (5) collecting soil from three different
subhabitats (at the stem and in the canopied and uncanopied zone) for chemical analyses to assess soil enrichment,
(6) investigation of possible allopathic effects by growing seedlings in soil from these sub-habitats under controlled
conditions in a greenhouse, (7) quantify root biomass and depth distribution by excavating monoliths of soil and
washing the soil from the roots and, (8) investigate the response to fire of T. camphoratus and a co-dominant
species, Senegalia mellifera. In addition, regression equations relating spatial canopy volume to leaf and wood
biomass according to the BECVOL-3 (Biomass Estimates from Canopy Volume) model will be developed from
harvested undamaged and coppicing plants in accordance with Smit (2014).
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: ASSESSING LIVESTOCK GRAZING DISTRIBUTION ON

COMMUNAL RANGELANDS OF CATA AND GUQUKA, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
Thantaswa Zondani1*, Anthony Palmer1, Andiswa Finca1 and Sukhmani Mantel2
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2Rhodes University, email: zondanit@arc.agric.za
Rangelands play a vital role and contribute significantly to the livelihoods and well-being of South Africans. They are
the main source of forage for livestock which are considered as wealth (economical, cultural and spiritual) and they
support livelihoods through the provision of several goods and services. Communal livestock is currently managed
under a continuous grazing system where livestock free range with absence of herding. The aim of this study is to
assess the effect of livestock grazing patterns on plant species composition in communal rangelands of Cata and
61
Guquka. The emergence of Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS) technology has resulted in significantly easy
and flexible techniques of studying livestock behaviour and movement. Therefore GPS collars will be used to
determine the livestock grazing pattern of 12 cattle (six in each study site). The GPS collars will be fitted on livestock
to record their position at 15 minute intervals for four weeks in the dry and wet season. The data will be downloaded
using CatLog Generation 2 and R Studio i386 3.1.1(statistic package). Data will then be imported into ArcGIS 10.1,
to create density maps showing areas that are frequently grazed. Then species composition of these frequently
grazed areas will be determined through a point to tuft distance method. The expected outcome is that the frequently
grazed areas will have mostly decreaser grass species which shows the palatability and health of the rangelands
such as Digitaria Eriantha and Themeda Triandra. When overgrazed these grass species stand the risk of being
replaced by increasers grass species.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: DETERMINING THE BCS (BODY CONDITION SCORING) OF

GIRAFFES (GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS) IN DIFFERENT FARMING SYSTEMS
Amaria Janse Van Rensburg* and Francois Deacon
University of the Free State, email: AmariaJvR@yahoo.com
Effective body condition scores have been developed for other wildlife species, such as: elephant (Fernando et al.,
2009), black rhino (Reuter & Adcock, 1998) and arabian oryx (Alqamy, 2013). The main aim of this study will be to
better understand giraffes’ overall performance and condition and how to manage that better before the loss of
physical condition. This will allow the recognition of BCS changes in time, in a non-invasive manner. Trying to apply
this on giraffe in extensive systems will be novel, and monitoring the different factors will help to understand and
manage giraffe better. Variable factors such as habitat loss and fragmentations are known to be some of the biggest
causes for animals to lose physical body condition. This study will investigate links between the habitat and animal
health in extensive systems by developing a BCS through visual examination and by inspecting possible factors that
can lead to or indicate a change in the BCS. This monitoring will include the inspection of endo-parasite infestation,
tree biomass and nutrient quality of the food that giraffe consume. Included for the study are giraffe populations
existing on five different reserves, where giraffe within the Free State are considered as an extralimital herbivore.
Part of the investigation will also include bacterial and virological monitoring and will be analysed at the microbiology
department. The 5 reserves differ greatly in terms of management practices, which we expect to be adding to the
factors. Faecal samples will be analysed by the state veterinarian for each of the specified individuals using the
MacMaster method (MAFF, 1986). Plant samples will be analysed for nutrient quality and to determine nutritional
deficiencies (Janecke & Smit, 2011). The biomass and dry matter will also be determined, as well as which species
are favoured and utilised, using the BECVOL-model (Smit, 1989). A full genome virus detection using sensitive
nucleic acid preparation will be used to identify any viruses present (Cotten, et al., 2014). The BCS system and
criteria was set up by Kearney & Ball in 2001 on giraffe that lived in captivity and zoo-systems. Hypothesizing that
fluctuations in the parasite-load will possibly be linked to a reason/s, such as feeding habits and management
practices leading to a change in physical condition. With giraffe resources and biodiversity rapidly shrinking in Africa,
we need to understand conservation and resource management within different environments better, in order
to improve our management decisions. If physical conditions of giraffe can be evaluated objectively, it can be used to
manage the giraffe and their remaining resources more effectively.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: DETERMINING THE STATUS AND DEVELOPMENT OF A

CONSERVATION PLAN FOR GIRAFFE (GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS GIRAFFA) IN SOUTH
AFRICA
Cara-Anne Van Der Merwe1*, Francois Deacon1 and Kelly Marnewick2
1
University of the Free State, 2Endangered Wildlife Trust, email: caravandermerwe95@gmail.com
The South African giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa, together with the Angolan giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis
angolensis, populations coexist in South Africa after being reintroduced into areas where they historically occurred
and did not occur (extralimital). However, many of these subpopulations were and are being translocated into areas
without real knowledge on their taxonomic status, adaptation success or habitat suitability, as well as taking into
consideration the possibility of inbreeding. The aim of this study is to fill this gap by determining the status and
developing of a conservation plan for the South African giraffe subpopulations in South Africa in terms of creating a
62
habitat suitability index to improve the success rate of these translocations in the future. As what the aim was with
other wildlife species such as the white rhino, Ceratotherium simum, (Knight, et al., 2015) and the cheetah, Acinonyx
jubatus, (Lindsey & Davies-Mostert, 2009), etc. In general this plan will help, firstly, to understand but also then to
develop a status distribution and habitat suitability map of giraffe in the different biomes of South Africa, including
past and present translocation successes. Firstly, this study serves to develop a baseline/guideline for the
development of a habitat scoring system to assist farmers in determining giraffe habitat suitability before giraffes are
translocated. Secondly, it serves to create a baseline/guideline for future genetic studies to determine the genetic
integrity of the subpopulation and to avoid inbreeding or the unnecessary loss of animals. In addition, this study will
help to improve future decisions and translocations. Historical translocation data within each province and between
provinces, nature reserves and private stakeholders owning giraffe will help to determine the outcome. From the
datasets a detailed analyses will be done on how many individuals were translocated, the success of these
translocations and how the translocations were in combination with preferred habitat types. The index will make use
of historical distributions and more recent as well as current data on giraffe in the country with suitable habitat
perimeters. This in turn will help to provide outcomes for management and future decision making to keep a healthy
and divers genetic giraffe population in SA. This will be done primarily by obtaining all current information on the
presence/absence of giraffes for specific habitat types, their actual numbers and translocation details from all
national and provincial nature conservation agencies, in order to establish as well as evaluate the current available
data on giraffe in South Africa. Thereafter, specific organisations will be contacted to distribute data mining surveys
to individual game ranching members, along with direct interviews/phone calls with individual game ranchers.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: DROUGHT RESISTANCE AND RECOVERY OF FORAGE

LEGUMES IN THE GENERA MEDICAGO AND TRIFOLIUM
Francuois Müller1*, Lincoln Raitt2 and Lilburne Cyster2
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of
the Western Cape, email: mullerf@arc.agric.za
In South Africa, it is estimated that approximately 16.9 million hectares of land is suitable for the establishment of
forage legumes. In the Western Cape, approximately 2.5 million hectares of land is currently being cultivated, of
which an estimated 600 000 hectares is planted with legumes. The most important annual pasture legumes
cultivated in the Western Cape are annual Medicago (M. polymorpha, M. truncatula) and Trifolium (T.
subterraneum, T. michelianum) species. Because these Medic and Clover species used in South African pasture-
crop rotations are not native to South Africa, they first need to be tested for their ability to adapt to specific agro-
ecological, bioclimatic and edaphic conditions. The current stock of commercially available forage legumes are well
adapted to the current bioclimatic conditions of South Africa. However, climatic predictions for the Western Cape are
indicating a trend of becoming hotter and drier. Unfortunately, no information is currently available in South Africa to
predict the responses of commercially available Medics and Clovers to future changes in bioclimatic conditions.
These future changes in the bioclimatic conditions of South Africa, specifically the amount and distribution of rainfall
and rising temperatures within the Western Cape, could significantly affect the success of these legume-based
pastures, affecting the establishment of these species/cultivars and their persistence. It is therefore important to
obtain a greater understanding of how currently commercially available cultivars of annual forage legumes will
respond to the predicted bioclimatic changes, especially changes in moisture availability and rising temperatures
during germination and establishment of the forages. This in turn, could play a major role in the establishment of
these forages under the predicted marginal conditions within the Western Cape. The aims of the current study are
therefore: 1) to quantify the germination responses of Medics and Clovers to temperature and water stress; 2) to
quantify seedling establishment, growth, and development under different levels of water-limitation, and; 3) to
quantify the ability of Medics and Clovers to recover after different levels of water-limitation.
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RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: EFFECT OF TRANSLOCATIONS ON THE FAECAL

GLUCOCORTICOID METABOLISM LEVELS OF GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS
Ciska Scheijen1*, Andre Ganswindt2, Ilse Luther-Binor3 and Francois Deacon1
1
University of the Free State, 2Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, 3GEOsperm, Wildlife Reproduction and
Biotechnology Services, email: ciskascheijen@gmail.com
Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) are currently listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN red list as populations have declined
by almost 40% and have become extinct in seven African countries over the last three decades; hence, the
increasing need to move groups of individuals for conservation and management purposes. Despite this, literature on
the translocation of giraffes is lacking, and could be ascribed to the high risk activity thereof for both humans and
giraffes. It is known for many species that translocations are stressful events, which can lead to mortalities. Long-
term stress can have a negative effect on the immune and reproductive function as well as disease resistance of an
individual. The aim of this study is to identify the least stressful translocation method for giraffe. To deal with stressful
situations, glucocorticoids are secreted by the adrenal glands. Modern techniques allow metabolites to be measured
in the faeces of animals, also called faecal glucocorticoid metabolism (fGCM). This research focusses on different
methods of translocation and their effects on the fGCM levels of the giraffes. Translocations throughout South Africa
will be monitored from one game farm/reserve to another. Pre- and post faecal samples will be collected at both sites
(primary and secondary locations). In some cases the animal will first be moved to a boma before release into their
new environment. Samples will also be collected during that period. Samples will be preserved on ice in the field and
stored in a freezer until it will can be analysed using the 3α ,11-oxo– CM enzyme immuno-assay. A pilot study in
2017 has been done on six sub-adults (three males and three females). The giraffes were translocated from one
game reserve (36 000 ha) to another (3 500 ha), both situated in the Northern Cape, South Africa. The farms are
approximately 130 km apart with similar climates and vegetation. The giraffes were released directly into their new
environment. As the glucocorticoid metabolites have a delay of 1.6 days, pre-samples were taken from the rectum on
the day of translocation. Only during the second week after the translocation, the giraffes allowed researchers to get
close enough (approximately 150 m) to collect samples, suggesting that they already started to feel less stressed
than the first week (where sample collection was impossible). Only one sample at day 6 after translocating showed
significantly elevated fGCM levels (5.86 times higher) compared with the pre-samples taken from the rectum.
Nonetheless after two weeks the fGCM levels seem to still be slightly higher (ranging from 1.96-4.85, µ3.56)
compared to prior to translocation (ranging from 1.00-2.89, µ1.96).
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: EXPLOITATION OF SERIPHIUM PLUMOSUM WOODY PLANTS

AND PASTURE-BASED FEED INGREDIENTS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF GROWTH RATE, CARCASS
AND MEAT QUALITY OF SOUTH AFRICAN FREE RANGE BEEF
Motswapo Phoko1*, Julius Tjelele1, Peter Scogings2, Phillip Strydom1 and Klaas-Jan Leeuw1
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2University of KwaZulu-Natal, email: motswapophoko@gmail.com
Seriphium plumosum is an indigenous, woody, perennial shrub-let, with greyish, slender and wiry branches.
S. plumosum encroachment decreases the grazing capacity of grassland by approximately 80%. Due to this
encroachment threat in South African grassland, most farmers tend to lose about 100% of their natural veld. Despite
the fact that it is detrimental to grazing capacity, which subsequently affects livestock productivity, this plant, is useful
in other aspects. S. plumosum yield volatile oil and provide long lasting foliage. However, its use as ruminant
supplement is unknown. This study seeks to evaluate the use of S. plumosum and natural pasture-based feed
ingredients (maize, silage & peanut hay) as supplements on Free Range Beef for improvement of growth rate,
carcass and meat quality. The objectives are 1) to formulate a diet supplement in Free Range Beef using
S. plumosum 2) to compare growth performance, meat sensory and nutritional quality of Free Range Beef fed
S. plumosum and natural pasture-based feed ingredients. Three on-farm trials will be conducted in three provinces
i.e. Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces. The study will be designed as completely randomised with a 2 x
4 factorial arrangement of treatments (1 control, 1 natural pasture grazing, 1 maize, 1 maize + silage, 1 maize +
peanut hay ). Forty ± 30 months old mixed breed animals will be divided into four groups of 10 steers per group.
Growth performance will be measured fortnightly throughout the 90 days experimental period. Difference in weight
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gain will be determined by weighing animals at the beginning of experiment, then minus weight gained within every
14 days. Nutritional composition of the feed ingredients and test diets will be evaluated at ARC Nutrition
Labs. Twenty-four hours prior to slaughter, animals will be weighed and transported to Cavallier abattoir. At the
abattoir, the animals will be slaughtered and dressed following the standard commercial procedures. Data will be
analysed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS (2009).
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: LUCERNE CULTIVAR EVALUATIONS UNDER SUBTROPICAL

CONDITIONS
Francuois Müller*, Marike Trytsman, Letty Masemola and Isaac Kgonothi
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, email: mullerf@arc.agric.za
Medicago sativa (Lucerne) is a perennial legume species that is cultivated worldwide. It is arguably the most widely
used pasture and hay crop in South Africa due to its high palatability and high forage quality. Only Lucerne cultivars
that are registered on the South African variety list may be sold in South Africa. There are approximately 46 different
cultivars on this list that are bred for specific agro-ecological conditions. The number of cultivars on this list, however,
regularly changes. These cultivars are then further divided, based on the degree to which they are dormant during
the winter. Winter dormancy, based on the American ranking system, ranges from 1 which is highly dormant during
winter, and 11 which is highly winter active. Due to the large number of Lucerne varieties available and the
corresponding large variation in winter dormancy, it is often challenging for livestock and hay producers to select a
variety that is best suited to their specific agro-ecological requirements. This is because dormancy class not only
affects the seasonal distribution of production in Lucerne, but is often associated with the ability of the variety to
handle environmental stressors such as cold and drought, and its tolerance to grazing. In turn, varieties within a
dormancy class often show large variation in terms of production potential, persistence and resistance to pests and
diseases. Therefore, it is important to know the production potential of cultivars under particular bioclimatic and
edaphic conditions. We therefore propose the need to urgently evaluate the production of all available Lucerne
cultivars under the same agro-ecological conditions in the Pretoria area, where bioclimatic conditions are classified
as moderately dry sub-tropical in nature, with long hot and rainy summers and cool, short and dry winters.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE

PRODUCTION OF LUCERNE IN LONG-ROTATION CROPPING SYSTEMS
Christoff Van Der Westhuizen1*, Johan Labuschagne1,2, Tertius Brand2 and Pieter Swanepoel1
1
Stellenbosch University, 2Western Cape Department of Agriculture, email: 18448240@sun.ac.za
Lucerne (Medicago sativa) forms part of long-rotation cropping systems integrated with livestock in the southern
Cape of South Africa. The region has a predominantly winter-rainfall pattern resulting in low productivity during cold
winters and dry summers. Integration of livestock in cropping systems may improve resource utilisation. The aim of
this study is to determine whether it is viable to establish a high quality forage for cropping systems integrated with
livestock through oversowing dryland lucerne. For the pasture to be considered viable, the soil quality must be
maintained or improved, productivity of the lucerne phase must be enhanced and the forage must be of a high
enough quality to increase the number of animals it can sustain when compared to a pure lucerne sward. Field
experiments will be conducted at Tygerhoek Research Farm (Riversonderend) during the 2018 and 2019 growing
seasons. The experiment will be laid out in a split-plot design with four replicates. Whole plots will consist of 12
species compositions and sub-plots will have two levels of crop residue (high or low) in which lucerne was sward was
established in 2017. Each sub-plot will cover an area of 2.5 x 24 m. Species composition treatments involve
oversowing either single species or mixes of species into a lucerne base that was established in April 2017. Single
species treatments will include oats, forage barley, stooling rye, westerwolds ryegrass, forage radish and canola.
Mixes will consist of various combinations of hybrid ryegrass, Italian ryegrass, forage barley, oats, various
annual Medicago and clover species, vetch and forage radish. Herbage production and agro-ecosystem benefits will
be assessed according to soil, plant and herbage quality measurements. Representative soil samples will be taken
annually for the duration of the study at depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. Standard soil fertility tests will be performed
to evaluate if there was any improvement in soil fertility. Additional soil test indicators will include organic C, total N,
C:N, active C, microbial biomass C, potentially mineralisable N, soil enzyme activity, nematode population
65
composition and aggregate stability. Lucerne longevity, herbage production, herbage removal during grazing and
both pre- and post-grazing species composition will be measured to determine the best oversown treatment.
Herbage quality will be assessed through analyses for dry matter, ash, crude protein, fat, crude fibre, acid detergent
fibre, neutral detergent fibre and total digestible nutrients will be calculated. The identification of a more productive
lucerne phase may increase overall productivity of farmers in the southern Cape. Possible spin-offs of livestock
integration may include diversified income through wool and meat production, as well as weed suppression,
environmental stability, reduced nutrient leaching and improved resource utilisation. Further research is required to
realise the full potential and effect of an improved lucerne phase.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: OBJECTIVE CALCULATION OF A RESILIENCE SCORE, USING

UNGULATES, PLANTS AND SOILS AS INDICATORS
Wesley Black1*, Francois Deacon1 and Pieter Zietsman2
1
University of the Free State, 2National museum, email: wesremus@yahoo.com
Using vegetation as a primary indicator of the state of rangeland health is based on the assumption that vegetation is
a reliable mirror of its ecological environment. Over the years this assumption has led to the development of many
rangeland condition scoring methods, however vegetation is not the only aspect of an ecosystem. Investigating
literature, it was found that rangeland soils and their associated properties are one of the least studied aspects of
rangeland ecology, especially research which connects the above-ground condition of rangelands and the below
ground condition of soils. Soil, animal and plant health each affect the overall condition of a rangeland, measuring
these three aspects together, in order to objectively score the veld, is severely complex. It has been well documented
that there is a reciprocal relationship between herbivores and the condition and composition of the plants they utilize.
This study will broaden the traditional view of veld condition scoring to incorporate soil condition and aim to develop a
plant based method using correlations. This will be achieved by assessing the condition of the veld whereby it
incorporates the soil condition based on soil quality indicators. The soil condition could then correlate with the
ecological and/or agricultural plant status. Providing them both an ecological resilience score and an agricultural
score at the same time. Soil benchmarks may also be calculated and scored based on known soil quality indicators.
To be as objective as possible, ten individuals of four herbivores species will be collared using GPS collars in the
Northern Cape. The data will be expressed as heat maps of preferred and avoided areas. On these preferred and
avoided areas both vegetation samples and soil samples will be taken for analysis, and a variety of both ecological
and agricultural vegetation surveys will be done. Both the soil benchmarks and the ecological resilience score are
novel ideas and will aid rangeland scientists in the future.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: MAPPING PATTERN AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF

SERIPHIUM PLUMOSUM (SLANGBOS) INVASIVE SPECIES USING SENTINEL 2 IMAGERY IN
GAUTENG PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
Mduduzi Ndlovu1*, Abel Ramoelo2, Julius Tjelele3 and Elhadi Adam4
1
Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), 3Agricultural
Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 4University of the Witwatersrand, email: mduduzi.ndlovu@gauteng.gov.za
In South Africa, the problem of invasive species encroachment has been a concern for many years and it is
anticipated to intensify. Seriphium plumosum is an indigenous shrub species of Asteraceae family that has converted
most rangelands in the grassland biome into less productive shrub land, particularly in the Eastern Cape, Free State,
Mpumalanga, North West and Gauteng provinces. This shrub outcompetes the resident grass species and
endangers valuable grasslands which are the main source and cheapest forage available for livestock and wildlife.
Thus, there has been a great reduction in grazing capacity and stocking rate on rangelands, which has affected the
livestock production for both subsistence and commercial farmers. Although Seriphium plumosum occurrence is
attributed to the interaction of different factors such as continuous anthropogenic-related disturbance, heavy grazing,
fire regime, climate change, management regime and animal seed dispersal, it is still highly complex, debatable and
controversial at times. There is very limited scientific knowledge about the plant’s preferred habitat and very little has
been published on species distribution patterns and extent of encroachment. Thus, effective control strategies will
require accurate detection, spatial distribution patterns and to quantify the extent of encroachment. Traditionally,
identification, monitoring and mapping of invasive species were done through field survey which is still useful and
66
provides detailed information. However, they are rarely feasible, costly, time-consuming, and inefficient for larger
scale areas and in inaccessible terrain. Remote sensing technology offers economical, efficient and practical
methodology to identify or discriminate and quantity invasive species. The project aims to use Sentinel-2
with improved finer resolution (10 m) to identify and quantify the spatial distribution of Seriphium plumosum using
Sentinel 2 imagery and Random Forest and Support Vector Machine Classifiers. Red Edge with 3 bands, gives
sensors the ability to detect biophysical and biochemical properties of target species. Thus, sensor’s red edge
enable it to discriminate between plant species. Objectives are to (1) Identify a robust and reliable method for
discriminating Seriphium plumosum from native grass species communities, (2) To test the applicability of Object
based Image Analysis (OBIA) on Sentinel-2 bands combined with environmental variables such as species
phenology and texture using machine learning techniques such as RF and SVM and (3) Compare the mapping
capabilities of the Pixel based and Object based Image analysis using machine. learning algorithm such as Support
Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF) as classifiers.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: THE DIVERSITY-STABILITY DEBATE: DO WE KNOW THE

UNDERLYING MECHANISMS?
Stuart Demmer*, Kevin P Kirkman and Michelle J Tedder
University of KwaZulu-Natal, email: 214518784@stu.ukzn.ac.za
The diversity-stability debate is among the longest running ecological debates. For decades empirical studies have
been carried out, however, many of these have only considered a limited number of diversity and stability indices.
This has restricted our understanding of the specific mechanisms driving stability. Recent reviews have consistently
called for more experimental research measuring diversity and stability beyond only grass species and biomass
production whilst suggesting that the inter-trophic level complexity is likely an important driver. If this idea is true,
then understanding each trophic level’s importance and contribution towards ecosystem stability is key to advancing
both empirical and applied ecology which could aid ecosystem conservation efforts. This project aims to contribute
importantly to the debate by expanding our understanding of these mechanisms. Firstly, a systematic map of the
current status of the diversity-stability debate within the grassland ecosystem will be carried out to quantitatively
identify knowledge gaps and knowledge clusters for future systematic reviewing and meta-analyses. Secondly, field
experiments where four trophic levels (insects, grasses, forbs, belowground microbes) will be removed from
grassland plots will be initiated. The resulting effect on grassland ecosystem stability (measured from both biotic and
abiotic ecosystem components) will then be quantified and the results discussed.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: THE EVALUATION OF BUSH CLEARING AT MELTON LIC,

NORTH WEST PROVINCE
Ernest Mokua
North West Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development , email: emokua@nwpg.gov.za
The control of encroaching woody plants is a tremendous problem worldwide since control methods are frequently
not economically justifiable. Information gathered about the effects of bush clearing in grazing areas of South African
savannah biomes may have not necessarily been aimed at relating the consequences to monetary gain or loss.
However, it is evident that there has been ecological benefit in the use of arboricides in controlling woody plants. The
fact of the matter is farmers are interested in striking the balance between money spend on control operation and
veld improvement realised. It is therefore necessary to evaluate commonly used bush control arboricide in order to
ascertain its effectiveness and practicality to small-scale and commercial farmers. The aim of the project is to
evaluate the financial viability, implications and ecological gain of bush clearing. To achieve this, the efficiency and
effectiveness of different application rates of Tebuthiuron granules on the control of indigenous woody plants will be
evaluated and monitored on Melton LIC in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district of the North West province.
Tebuthiuron is a soil applied arboricide with long residual action for the control of woody plants in natural grazing. For
the treatments a number of trees/shrub species will be identified for elimination/thinning at the time of trial
establishment relying solely on the use of an arboricide Tebuthiuron. The identified trees/shrubs will be given
appropriate dosage of this arboricide and their canopies left intact. The arboricide will be applied in the soil around
the base of the target plant. The study site is comprised of 15 plots of one hectare each in a randomized block
design. Within each plot, the woody plants will be thinned to represent the different treatments, according to bush
density and application rate, ranging from 50 % below-, 25 % below-, 0 %, recommended and 25 % above
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recommended dosage treatments. After the treatment has been applied, the effectiveness will be monitored over a
period of time and different surveys will be carried out to collect different data aspects. Annual grass surveys will
include herbaceous production, species composition, herbaceous (quality) analysis as well as soil seed bank studies.
Every third year a more comprehensive grass basal cover survey will take place. Woody plants surveys will include
bush density and dry matter production, carried out on a biennial basis. Soil samples and rainfall will be monitored.
Multivariate Data Analyses will determine changes in tree species composition, biomass production and general
phonological characteristics, and collectively used to evaluate different treatments for tree growth and mortality over
time. Correlations between species occurrence, environmental and soil factors will also be carried out. The statistical
programs Genstat (Payne, 2014) or Statistica will be used to carry out analysis of variance (ANOVA’s). Treatment
means will be separated using Fisher’s protected t-test least significant difference (LSD) at the 5 % level of
significance (Statistica for Windows, 1995). Costing will be done regarding labour and arboricide with regards to
effectiveness and application times, to ascertain its effectiveness and practicality to small-scale and commercial
farmers.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL POSTER: THE USE OF REMOTE SENSING TO PREDICT SERIPHIUM

PLUMOSUM ENCROACHMENT SUSCEPTIBILITY
Nonkwekhwezi Princess Myeki1*, Hosia Pule1, Julius Tjelele1 and Solomon Tesfamichael2
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2University of Johannesburg, email: myekin@arc.agric.za
Remote sensing can be used to detect vegetation condition and soil degradation caused by among other factors,
woody plant encroachment. In South Africa, Seriphium plumosum encroachment threatens the sustainability of
grasslands because it reduces grass species composition, diversity and increases the runoff of water and nutrients.
However, its causes on rangelands communities remain little understood, yet important in managing its
encroachment, particularly in the semi-arid grassland communities. Although local factors such as fire suppression,
herbivory, soil texture and fertility are proposed to interact to cause woody plant encroachment worldwide, these
factors are however, not adequately explored as causes of S. plumosum encroachment. To this end, the study seeks
to explore the use of remote sensing to explore the role of soil texture in facilitating S. plumosum encroachment
susceptibility in South African grassland communities. We hypothesise that an increase in coarse soil texture will
increase S. plumosum density because of the separation in rooting depth between herbaceous and woody or
shrubby plants, which allow woody or shrubby plant to use mainly water in deep soil profile. Data on soil texture
(sand (%) and silt (%)) will be derived using ArcGIS (Version 10.5) software. Data on S. plumosum density will be
obtained in the field by counting in a 2 m x 50 m plots from 34 S. plumosum encroached livestock farms in the
Gauteng province. Since the assumption is that soil texture will influence S.plumosum encroachment susceptibility, a
regression analysis will be used to determine the correlation between soil texture (sand (%), silt (%)) and S.
plumosum density. The results obtained in this work will contribute to insight necessary to understand the relationship
of S. plumosum with soil texture in South African grassland communities. Consequently, this information will
contribute to managing and controlling S. plumosum encroachment of rangelands.
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PARALLEL SESSION A: FEEDING ECOLOGY

SESSION CHAIR: TONY PALMER
Thursday, 26 July 2018, 08:00 - 08:40
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE INFLUENCE OF PHENOLOGY ON BROWSE AVAILABILITY FOR

GAME SPECIES IN A SEMI-ARID ENVIRONMENT OF THE NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE
Marnus Smit1*, Francois Deacon2, Paul Malan2 and Nico Smit2
1
Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation, 2University of the Free State
email: zmsmit.denc@gmail.com
The phenology of plants is known to influence the availability of food to browser game species, and ultimately their
habitat selection and diet preferences. Phenology studies on woody plants done in the central and eastern regions of
South Africa further highlighted the effect of phenology on browse availability and plant palatability. In the highly
seasonal semi-arid environments of the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, the phenology of woody plants is
expected to play an even greater role in food availability and palatability due to distinct wet and dry seasons and
large temperature variations between summer and winter. To determine the potential impact of phenology on browse
availability in a semi-arid environment, the phenology of twenty abundant woody plant species of the South-eastern
Kalahari was studied in the Witsand Nature Reserve. A total of 10 - 30 individual plants representative of the
population of each of the studied woody species were marked and inspected monthly. During each inspection, plants
were allocated a leaf carriage score and leaves classified into different phenophases (budding leaves, young green
leaves, mature green leaves, yellowing leaves and dry leaves still attached to the plant). The presence of flowers and
fruits or pods were also recorded. Mean monthly leaf carriage scores were calculated and changes in phenophases
of species over a year cycle determined. Strong seasonal influences on plant phenology were observed, especially in
the case of the winter deciduous woody species. Most of the winter deciduous species started dropping leaves with
the onset of the early dry season (May) and were largely leafless throughout the late dry season (Aug-Nov). Two
regional dominant species, Senegalia mellifera (Black thorn) and Rhigozum trichotomum (Three thorn), were found to
flush new leaves only as late as mid-December. The results highlighted the importance of palatable evergreen
species such as Boscia albitrunca (Shepherd’s tree), Vachellia haematoxylon (Grey camel thorn) and Vachellia
erioloba (Camel thorn) as a food source during the late dry season. Where these evergreen species occur in low
densities, the time of flowering and availability of pods/fruit may be crucial for game species to bridge this critical
period. The implications of seasonal plant phenology changes on the management of browser game species in the
semi-arid Northern Cape are discussed.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: LEAFHOPPERS ASSOCIATED WITH RANGELANDS IN SOUTH

AFRICA
Michael Stiller
Agricultural Research Council, email: stillerm@arc.agric.za
Leafhoppers are small jumping and flying insects with sucking mouthparts. Immature stages hatch from eggs
inserted into plant tissue and resemble adults without wings, but that grow larger after every moult. Their sap-sucking
habit, in phloem, xylem or superficial cells, means they are not noticed as easily as chewing insects such as
grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles or termites, and have the potential to transmit plant bacteria and viruses. Much is
known about the grass-living insects of the Savanna biome through various studies, such as surveys of the
grasshopper fauna of Nylsvlei and grasshoppers as grassland indicators. Some studies in the Drakensberg have
examined the recolonization of invertebrates after fire. Leafhoppers are the most species rich group of
the Heteroptera estimated at 700 species from records in the National Collection of Insects. Species are classified
mainly by the structure of the male sex organ, and females often are only recognized by association with males while
nymphs, are usually also difficult to associate. Pheromones and ultrasound play an important role in the
communication between adults. The aim of this study is to use leafhoppers endemic to the Grassland or wide-spread
in the Savanna Biome as an indication of biodiversity and habitat conditions, such as grazing and burning. Methods
to collect leafhoppers include the sweep net, a strong net on a short stick to sweep through grass and shrubs and
69
vacuum machines, but also pan traps, sticky traps, malaise traps, intercept traps, sometimes pitfall traps, although
the latter do not directly reflect an associated plant. Fogging is also suitable for leafhoppers and plant associations.
Qualitative sampling of leafhoppers and associated feeding plants produced museum based specimens and
supplemented by fieldwork. Curation required sorting, card pointing and pinning representatives, labelling,
identification and accession. Systematic work has revealed 110 species in 40 genera in the Savanna, and 70 species
in 14 genera in the Grassland Biome. This is a conservative estimate that excludes the leafhoppers that feed on
superficial plant tissue, the Typhlocybinae. Savanna leafhoppers are generally long-winged, suggesting migratory
behaviour and are wide-spread Afrotropical distribution and are expected to colonise regrowth in burned habitats.
Most Grassland Biome leafhoppers are short-winged and thus unable or slow to recolonise regrowth in burned or
overgrazed habitats. One species thrives on unpalatable species of Merxmuellera in the Eastern Cape Province.
Leafhoppers with tree or shrub associations such as Boscia, Galenia and Pentzia has started recently. Many species
were described from the Fynbos Biome mainly on shrubs, but many more require systematic work, with even more in
the other biomes. Some leafhoppers appear to follow floristic links between the Fynbos and Grassland biomes, and
even seem to show speciation in floristic centers of endemism. Thus high numbers of species and large population
size despite small size of specimens, make leafhoppers a suitable group to study rangeland or grassland biodiversity.
PARALLEL SESSION A: LIVESTOCK IMPACTS ON RANGELANDS

Thursday, 26 July 2018, 08:40 - 09:40
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: DISTRIBUTION AND BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF GRASS

SPECIES IN RELATION TO DISTANCE FROM THE FENCE-LINE IN SIX COMMUNAL GRAZING
LANDS LOCATED IN THREE SOIL TYPES
Solomon Beyene1, Ayanda Kwaza2*, Victor Mlambo3 and Keletso Mopipi2
1
University of Fort Hare , 2University of the Free State, 2Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform,
North-West University, email: ayanda.kwaza@drdar.gov.za
The study examined the composition and distribution of grass species along a distance gradient from fenceline in the
communal grazing lands of the Eastern Cape semi-arid rangelands. Six communal grazing lands, two in shallow, red
sandy-ground (SRSG) soils, three in shallow, dark sandy-loam (SDSL) soils, and one in deep, dark clay-loam
(DDCL) soils were selected. Data were collected at near ( 100 - ≤ 300 m) and far (> 300 m) sites from each fenceline.
In total, 31 grass species were identified, 90% of which were perennials. Several grass species showed great
variations between grazing lands and distance points from the fenceline. In SRSG, the abundance of Digitaria
eriantha was greater (Abstract incomplete, please view on Dryfta app).
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: SOIL CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL STATUS IN RELATION TO

DISTANCE FROM THE FENCE-LINE IN SIX SEMI-ARID COMMUNAL GRAZING LANDS AND IMPACT
OF EXCLOSURE
Solomon Beyene1, Ayanda Kwaza2*, Victor Mlambo3 and Keletso Mopipi2
1
University of Fort Hare , 2University of the Free State, 2Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform,
North-West University, email: ayanda.kwaza@drdar.gov.za
In South African communal rangelands, the local and spatial distribution of soil properties has not been adequately
documented, in particular, in response to disturbance and abiotic factors. In addition, the use of enclosures has
globally gained popularity as an effective strategy to enhance soil nutrient contents and properties, but in the country,
empirical evidence that investigated the effect of enclosures on soil variables is lacking. This study therefore
investigate the effect of communal grazing site, distance from the fence line and enclosures on the soil status of
rangelands in six communal areas located in three soil types namely; Shallow, red stony-ground (SRSG), Shallow,
dark sandy-loam (SDSL) and Deep, dark clay-loam (DDCL). In each communal area, six transects radiating out from
the fence line along the main road were established (length 1-2km). Each transect was divided to form
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sub-transects, with initial points at near (0-100 m), middle (> 100 - ≤ 300 m) and far sites (>- 300 m) from the fence
line depending on the vegetation change. Soil samples were collected from the protected and unprotected plots
distributed across the near, middle and far sites. The sand, silt and clay contents showed similar levels in all the
three soil types. In SRSG soil, soil Ca, Mg, OC and N levels differed (Abstract incomplete, please view on the dryfta
app).
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: COMMUNAL LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT FOR REHABILITATION

AND LIVELIHOOD OUTCOMES: PROGRESS TO DATE
Helen Fox* and Kate Rowntree
Rhodes University, email: helenthefox@gmail.com
The Department of Environmental Affairs, through its Chief Directorate of Natural Resource Management (DEA
NRM), has initiated an intensive rehabilitation programme to heal the badly degraded Tsitsa catchment. This is in
light of the large Ntabelanga and Lalini dams planned for the area, which will have a shortened life span if the
erosion of sediment is not addressed. The underlying approach of the Ntabelanga and Lalini Ecological Infrastructure
Programme (NLEIP), the Science Management nexus of the Tsitsa rehabilitation project, is to link rehabilitation with
Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and livelihood opportunities. The Sinxaku villages occurs in a particularly
degraded area of the catchment and erosion is difficult to control due to the highly dispersive nature of the soils.
Tunnel erosion has been a primary cause of the deep gullies that dissect the area and any form of structural erosion
control mechanisms that lead to ponding of water can exacerbate the problem. Former cultivated fields have been
abandoned, becoming erosion hotspots due to loss of soil structure and a low vegetation cover. The most effective
soil and water conservation strategy on these soils is believed to be the recovery of the vegetation cover through
effective grazing strategies. This is problematic in communal lands such as characterize Sinxaku due to the
breakdown of communal institutions controlling livestock grazing. A WRC funded Green Village project has been
working with NLEIP and the local village communities to promote sustainable land stewardship through livestock
management institutions. The aim is to rehabilitate the area through both increased grass cover and livelihood
opportunities derived from livestock. This requires a working partnership between the DEA NRM rehabilitation and
SLM implementers and the livestock owners that can bring benefits to both groups. This presentation will report on
the process to date and suggest the way forward.
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PARALLEL SESSION A: BUSH ENCROACHMENT

Thursday, 26 July 2018, 09:40 - 10:00
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: EFFECTS OF SERIPHIUM PLUMOSUM DENSIFICATION ON

GRASSLAND VEGETATION AT TELPERION, MPUMALANGA, SOUTH AFRICA
Susannah Cleo Patrocinio1*, Leslie Brown1, Alan Barrett1 and Hanneline Smit-Robinson2
1
UNISA - Applied Behavioural Ecology & Ecosystems Research Unit, 2BirdLife South Africa, email: patrosc@unisa.ac.za
Mesic Highveld Grassland is important for rangeland and biodiversity conservation, but is under threat of bush
densification by Seriphium plumosum. This indigenous encroacher has spread rapidly in the last decade. S.
plumosum outcompetes the other herbaceous species, resulting in a loss in grass production. This study looks at
different densities of S. plumosum and how this affects grassland biodiversity within the Telperion Nature Reserve,
Mpumalanga. The aim of the study was to understand how species composition, biodiversity, and community
structure is affected by various densities of S. plumosum. To test if S. plumosum densification affects species
composition, biodiversity and community structure, three sites where selected with various densities of S. plumosum.
One site had almost no S. plumosum present (grassland site), one was intermediately infested (intermediate site)
and one was severely encroached (dense site). To determine species composition and species diversity, at each
site, all plant species within twenty 1 m x 1 m quadrants were counted. Grass and S. plumosum height was
measured every meter along a 100 m transect placed in each site. Percentages of woody species, grass and forb
cover was estimated within three 10 m x 10 m sample plots placed in each site. All plant species identified were
classified into five successional classes. Species richness was highest (n = 98 species) at an intermediate level of
densification and was similar for the densely infested site and the grassland site (n = 59 and n = 60 species,
respectively). The intermediate site was the most diverse (2,26 average Shannon-Wiener Index) and the grassland
next (1,96 average Shannon-Wiener Index), with the dense site being least diverse (1,78 average Shannon-Wiener
Index). There were noticeable differences between the three sites, when using ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test
(p < 0.01) in terms of diversity, but the intermediate site was significantly more diverse than both the grassland and
dense sites. The findings indicate that there was a significant difference between the sites in terms of their ecological
status, when using two-way classification chi-square test (p < 0,01). S. plumosum density did not have a noticeable
impact on alpha diversity, however it did affect plant species composition, structure and ecological status for the
areas where it was present. The grassland site was in a better ecological condition than the densely infested site
when comparing grass height, grass cover, ecological status, and diversity of species present. At an intermediate
level of infestation, alpha diversity increased. The densely infested site was negatively impacted by S. plumosum and
was noticeably different to the intermediate site in terms of diversity of species present, the ecological status showed
that it was degraded. The presence of S. plumosum at low densities can be considered an integral part of the
environment. That said, it is important that areas where S. plumosum occurs be monitored. If this species is not in
balance within its environment, and it starts becoming dense, it could negatively affect the biodiversity, species
composition and structure of the habitat.
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PARALLEL SESSION A: FIRE ECOLOGY
SESSION CHAIR: HANNO KILIAN

Thursday, 26 July 2018, 10:30 - 11:30
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: INITIAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF PRESCRIBED

BURNING ON THE INCIDENCE OF TICKS IN A MOIST SAVANNA COMMUNITY IN THE LOWVELD
OF SOUTH AFRICA
LD Van Essen1*, Winston Trollope2 and Lynne Trollope2
1
Nyengere Solutions, 2Working on Fire International, email: lourens.vanessen@gmail.com
Tick borne diseases such as heart water and babesiosis (red water) cause significant mortalities and economic
losses to domestic livestock and game farmers in South Africa. The potential for reducing the incidence of ticks
through prescribed burning was successfully achieved in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania in 2003. However, the
effects of burning on tick populations are complex because fires can affect both ticks and their host species. Based
on the results from Ngorongoro Crater, the Research and Development Section of Working on Fire International
initiated a research trial in 2015 in the Lowveld south of Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. Verification of the positive impact of
prescribed burning to reduce or control tick populations will strengthen the basis for using prescribed burning as an
effective veld management practice in African grasslands and savannas. However, fire cannot be seen as a stand-
alone tool to reduce or control tick populations as it will require using appropriate fire regimes comprising type and
intensity of fire and season and frequency of burning together with grazing management and animal stocking rates to
reduce and/or control the density of tick populations. The main hypothesis being tested in this long-term project is
that tick populations increase in abundance when the grass sward becomes moribund and exceeds a grass fuel load
of 4000 kg/ha resulting in a favourable micro-climate involving higher air temperatures and humidity’s. The first site
for the research project is on the De Kaap Valley Conservancy, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. At this initial stage the tick
surveys are being restricted to open thornveld that include various aspect profiles. Twenty one vegetation surveys
were conducted using an adapted point centred quartered method on 200m x 80m plots. The standing herbaceous
biomass was estimated with a disc pasture meter using the generally accepted calibration for African grassland and
savannas viz. (y = -3019 + 2260 √x, where y = mean grass fuel load (kg/ha) and x = mean disc height (cm)). Tick
population densities pre- and post burn were recorded and monitored using an established flannel drag sampling
technique used by the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute. Drags were conducted on 33 sites, 100m x 1m in size, of
which three were control sites. Initial cool burns (< 1000 kW/m) were applied to remove moribund grass material and
establish time zero. Expected project duration will be a minimum of 60 months. The preliminary results presented
pertain to the tick species identified on the site, as well as the relative numbers of each tick development phase on a
species basis. The number of tick species identified on the research site was twelve, with the dominant species
being Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus decoloratus. The former is known to be the vector
for Theileria parva, the causative organism of East Coast fever in cattle as well as Rickettsia in humans.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: PYRO-HYDROLOGICAL INTERACTIONS IN AFRICAN SAVANNA

SOILS
Tercia Strydom1*, Eddie Riddell1, Navashni Govender1, Simon Lorentz2 and Pieter Le Roux3
1
SANParks, 2SRK Consulting, 3University of the Free State, email: tercia.strydom@sanparks.org
In African savannas, fluctuations in rainfall, nutrients, herbivory and fire plays a major role in sustaining these
complex and dynamic systems. Simultaneously, soils play a vital role in supporting healthy and functioning
ecosystems. Besides providing a medium for plant growth, soils play a major role in ecosystem functioning through
nutrient cycling and water filtration through the system, thus when soils are degraded important ecosystem services
are affected. Numerous studies from various locations around the world deduced that fire can play a major role and
effect soil properties. Even though fire is regarded as a key driver in savanna systems, there is a lack in current
understanding on the impacts of long-term fire management on soil properties.
73
The Experimental Burn Plots (EBPs) in Kruger National Park is a long-term fire/ herbivory experiment which was
initiated in the 1950’s. This experiment offered a unique opportunity to determine the impact of long-term fire
treatments on soil water retention capacity, soil total carbon, total nitrogen and soil compaction. Results suggest that
at water contents of < 5%, the No Burn plots where fires have been excluded for more than six decades, have a
higher water retention capacity and retain water more efficiently than regularly burnt soils. This was measured on
both coarse-grained granite-derived soils as well as finely-textured basaltic soils. When water retention capacities
are compared across geologies, the finely-textured basaltic soils retained water more efficiently than the granitic
soils. The ability of a soil to retain moisture is affected by soil properties such as soil texture and soil organic matter
content. With regards to soil total carbon, results suggest that fire exclusion results in significantly higher total carbon
in basaltic soils only (p < 0.001), and not granitic soils. Similarly, total nitrogen is significantly higher on the No Burn
plots on the basaltic soils (p < 0.001) than the granitic soils. Overall, basaltic soils contain roughly double the total
carbon and total nitrogen content than that of granitic soils. This relationship may be explained by the increase in
biomass and clay content on the basaltic soils as opposed to the granitic soils.
With regards to soil compaction, results suggest that frequent annual burning increases to soil compaction (p<0.05).
This may be attributed to veldfires denuding an area of vegetation and exposing the soil surface to environmental
elements and processes such as raindrop impact and splash. Vegetation cover is important for protecting the soil
surface and affects the fate of raindrops. Furthermore, the presence of herbivores enhances soil compaction due to
trampling (p < 0.05). Herbivores tend to concentrate on recently burnt areas due to improved post-fire grazing as well
as enhanced visibility against predators. Depending on the degree of soil surface compaction and the soil type, soil
compaction may lead to decreased infiltration rates, increased runoff production and increased erosion rates. These
results are particularly important for land-use management where veld burning is used as a management tool for
controlling vegetation structure and composition, combatting bush encroachment and improving grazing quality for
livestock and game.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE EFFECT OF SEASON, FIRE AND SLOPE POSITION ON

SERIPHIUM PLUMOSUM L. FORAGE QUALITY IN SOUTH AFRICAN GRASSLAND COMMUNITIES
Hosia Pule1*, Julius Tjelele1, Michelle J Tedder2 and Dawood Hattas3
1
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, 2University of KwaZulu-Natal, 3Department of Biological Sciences,
3
University of Cape Town, email: Gpule@arc.agric.za
Acceptability of plant material to herbivores is influenced by among other factors; nutrients, plant secondary
metabolites and growth stage of the plants. However, the effect of these factors on Seriphium plumosum L.
acceptability to livestock is still not clearly understood, despite its importance in managing its encroachment in
grassland communities. The study used 2 x 2 x 2 factorial analysis of variance to investigate the effect of season
(wet and dry), fire (fire and no fire), slope position (top and bottom) and their interaction on Seriphium plumosum
forage quality. We tested the hypothesis that S. plumosum forage quality varies temporally, spatially and in fire and
no fire treated S. plumosum edible materials. Seriphium plumosum edible material was collected during the wet and
dry season from fire and no fire treated areas at both top and bottom slopes before analysed for forage quality;
nutrients (protein (CP) content, neutral detergent fibre (NDF)), and plant secondary metabolites (total phenolics (TP)
and condensed tannins (CT)). Season had a significant effect on S. plumosum forage quality (CT, CP, NDF, TP and
CT). Fire had a significant effect on S. plumosum CP content. Interestingly, Slope position did not have any
significant effect on S. plumosum forage quality. Interaction of season x fire had a significant effect on NDF and CP
(P < 0.05). Seriphium plumosum had significantly higher CP and CT in the wet season (6.69 % ± 0.20 (SE)) and
(1.56 mg/gDw ± 0.13) than in the dry season (5.22 % ± 0.13) and (1 mg/gDw ± 0.03), respectively. Neutral detergent
fibre and TP was significantly higher (58.01 % ± 0.41) and (14.44 mg/gDw ± 1.03) in the dry season than in the wet
season (53.17 % ± 0.34) and (11.08 mg/gDw ± 1.07), respectively. Crude protein was significantly higher in burned
(6. 31 % ± 0.22) than in unburned S. plumosum edible material (5.60 % ± 0.15). Seriphium plumosum CP was
significantly higher in wet season x burned (7.34 % ± 0.31) than wet season x unburned (6.08 % ± 0.20) material and
dry season x burned (5.34 % ± 0.18) and unburned (5.09 % ± 0.18) material, which were similar. Neutral detergent
fibre was similar in dry season x burned (58.31% ± 0.54) and dry season x unburned (57.69 % ± 0.62) material and
significantly higher than similar wet season x burned (52.43 % ± 0.45) and wet season x unburned (53.88 % ± 0.47)
material. This study suggests opportunities for integrating fire, browsers and supplements in the control of
encroacher S. plumosum, especially during the wet season because of its high CP and CT content.
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PARALLEL SESSION A: CONSERVATION OF RANGELANDS

Thursday, 26 July 2018, 11:30 - 12:50
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE GAUTENG BIODIVERSITY STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMME

Christina Seegers
Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, email: christina.seegers@gauteng.gov.za
The Gauteng Province has committed to expanding the number of hectares of land under formal protection in
2018/2019 by 9 000 ha, and Biodiversity Stewardship has been identified as an effective mechanism with which to
achieve this. The Gauteng Biodiversity Stewardship Programme (GBSP) is a collaboration between the Gauteng
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the World
Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) Nedbank Green Trust. The Programme was formed to catalyse the implementation of
Biodiversity Stewardship in Gauteng grasslands through the development of capacity to support stewardship
processes at all levels. This public-private partnership aims to capacitate existing stakeholders as well as to support
strong and relevant institutional structures for long-term impact and sustainability. The measurable target for this
project is to publish the intent to declare 5,000 hectares of privately or communally owned land under Biodiversity
Stewardship within three years. Since its inception in 2015, the project has made enormous progress towards
understanding the natural landscape in Gauteng and the identification of institutional processes needed within the
GDARD to ensure effective implementation of stewardship in the province going forward. The project team has also
streamlined the ecological assessment procedure for the Gauteng landscape and implemented these procedures in a
number of sites; conducted desktop assessments of the sites, followed up on these on the ground with the
assistance of the GDARD’s Scientific Services unit, took the site assessment results through the review panel
process, and have put in place the institutional steps required for the formal approval and subsequent
recommendation of the appropriate Protected Area category to landowners. The team has also been very busy
engaging landowners to communicate the recommended protected area category, confirming landownership
information and is now taking the first steps into the declaration phase for four sites. Time was spent on identifying
natural resource management activities for proposed stewardship sites and building partnerships with role-players in
this space as a means of identifying potential incentives for stewardship sites whilst through this process started on
the development, in negotiation with the landowner, of an Environmental Management Plan for the first privately
owned Nature Reserve to be declared under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEM:
PAA) in the Gauteng Province.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE GREATER LIMPOPO TRANS FRONTIER CONSERVATION

AREA: IMPLICATIONS FOR MULTIPLE LAND USE OBJECTIVES
Mike Peel*, Lucas Manaka, Dalton Masia and Sweetness Myeni
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, email: mikep@arc.agric.za
Large private protected areas (PAs) adjacent to the Kruger National Park (KNP) have embraced the basic
philosophies of the KNP management approach since the removal of the fence between them. They have similar
general objectives but function at different spatial scales. Animal movement is possible but due to actions such as
differences in water provision policies, a unique set of management challenges arise. The recent serious drought
resulted in steep declines in a number of larger herbivores and in this presentation, we examine trends across the
range of protected areas open to one another to gain an understanding of the dynamics of these species. The 2017
aerial survey showed declines in mobile species such as buffalo in Balule, Klaserie, Umbabat, Timbavati, Sabi Sand
and the KNP. Using a 10-year data set we explore possible explanations for these trends as they relate to drought,
predation, poaching, movement and the implications for management and the achievement of land use
objectives. The need for integration of monitoring and research between institutions is critical to track in ensuring the
achievement of objectives for all stakeholders in the Greater Limpopo Trans Frontier Conservation Area.
75
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE USE OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES IN CONSERVATION

Debbie Jewitt
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, email: debbie.jewitt@kznwildlife.com
Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have the potential to revolutionize conservation and spatial ecology.
Conservation agencies are required to monitor species populations and their habitats and report on management
effectiveness. The use of UAVs may contribute towards more effective and efficient monitoring and management of
biodiversity, by providing the opportunity to collect data and high resolution images in a better, faster, cheaper and
safer manner. For example Cape Vulture population estimates have increased from 120 to 200 individuals and
crocodile population estimates improved by 26%, using drone technology. High resolution imagery and mapping
facilitates management decisions. I explore a range of scenarios to illustrate the benefits and challenges associated
with the use of UAVs across the conservation spectrum.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ALIEN AND INVASIVE TAXA LIST FOR
REGULATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Moleseng Moshobane
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), email: moshobanemc@gmail.com
The process of developing regulatory lists of alien and invasive taxa should be based on scientific evidence through
an objective, transparent and consistent process. Here we review the development of the lists for the South African
National Biodiversity Management Act (NEM: BA) alien and invasive species regulations. Lists published in the
national Government Gazette were compared and assessed for changes in the taxa listed and their status between
2009 and 2014. Minutes from expert workshops convened to inform the listing were reviewed and relevant
information like the criteria for listing taxa were extracted from the minutes. Three draft versions were published in the
Government Gazette for public comment before the final list was published in August 2014, coming into force in
October 2014. This list was further amended in May 2015. The main goal of the NEM: BA Alien and invasive species
list was to document species known or suspected to have considerable negative impacts on natural ecosystems, or
congenerics of alien and invasive species. The process endeavoured to get engagement with academics,
conservation experts, managers and various stakeholders through inclusion either actively in workshops or through a
public commenting process to achieve shared governance. A scoring tool based on the likelihood of invasion versus
the impact of invasion was recommended for evaluating the risk of a species, but rarely used. We conclude with
some recommendations for future refinements in the process.
PARALLEL SESSION A: PRIMARY PRODUCTION OF RANGELANDS

Thursday, 26 July 2018, 12:50 - 13:30
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: EFFECTS OF ELEVATED AMBIENT AND SOIL TEMPERATURE ON

ABOVE-GROUND PRODUCTIVITY OF HIGH ALTITUDE GRASSLAND OF SOUTH AFRICA
Thembeka Mvelase1*, Michelle J Tedder1 and Mariska Te Beest2
1
University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2Utrecht University, email: 211517147@stu.ukzn.ac.za
Anthropogenic activities have altered the condition and composition of the atmosphere greatly since the onset of the
industrial revolution. Consequences of this alteration in the atmosphere include severe rapid changes in the Earth’s
climate and biogeochemical cycles. Atmospheric CO 2concentration, temperature and precipitation, which are the
three most important determinants of plant growth, are significantly affected by the changing climate. Over the last
century, surface temperatures have increased by 0.8 ˚C globally, and it is anticipated that it will rise with 1.4-5.8 ˚C by
the year 2100. In South Africa, climate is changing at a more rapid rate when compared with other countries. The
76
average annual temperature in this country has increased by at least 1.5 times the observed global annual increasing
average of 0.65 ˚C over the past five decades. Compared with other countries in the African continent, South Africa
has the highest emissions per capita, highlighting the importance of implementing climate change mitigation
strategies. The grassland biome, which is the second largest biome in South Africa, is dominated by fire-dependent
vegetation. An increase in temperature also affects the fire regime and therefore has great impacts on the ecosystem
services offered by this biome. The aim of this study was to determine how the interaction between fire and warming
affects high altitude grasslands in South Africa. The main objectives were to determine the effects of experimental
warming with open-top chambers (OTCs) on grassland productivity and soil moisture in fire-driven grassland. Sixteen
OTCs were deployed in sixteen plots that received different burning treatments in Brotherton, Cathedral Peak in the
Drakensberg Mountains, KZN. Each OTC was paired with a non-warmed control. Species biomass, composition and
soil moisture were measured inside the OTCs and their controls. Temperature measurements were also recorded in
all the OTCs and their controls. The OTCs increased (p < 0.05) mid-day ambient and soil temperature by 4 and 1 ˚C,
respectively, when compared with the control. Soil moisture content differed significantly (p< 0.05) between OTCs
and the controls across all plots. There was a significant difference in above-ground biomass between OTC and
control (p = 0.021). Species composition was influenced by fire treatment and not by the effect of warming. Open-top
chambers can simulate realistic increases of air temperatures in mesic grasslands. Grassland above-ground
productivity is expected to increase with elevated temperature at the cost of soil moisture.
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PARALLEL SESSION B: SPECIAL SESSION ON FEEDS AND FORAGE, WITH

A FOCUS ON THE FORAGE SEED VALUE CHAIN
SESSION CHAIR: Sikhalazo Dube

Thursday, 26 July 2018, 08:00 - 10:00
Livestock production in many farming systems, especially in rangelands, is constrained by the variation in quality and
quantity of feed. Cultivated pastures and forages have been used to reduce the variation. However, the use of
forages has been hindered by poorly developed forage seed value chain. The private seed producers have not taken
up this challenge in a significant way; this compared to developed seed value chains for crops.
The aims of the Special Session are showcase promising forage and feed technologies, and create networks that will
lead to broader promotion of the use of feed and forage technologies for improved livestock production and
increased incomes. To inventory feed and forage resources available, their conservation and utilisation, and create
opportunities to improve the forage seed value chain.
The aims will be achieved through the following objectives:
• To facilitate exchange of information on feed and forage resources and feeding systems within the region and
beyond.
• Delivery, packaging and uptake of feed and forage resources and forage seed production technologies
uptake.
• To improve forage seed value chain – identification of business models.
• To highlight feed and forage technologies that have potential under climate change scenarios.
• Strategies on conservation and utilisation of forage genetic resources.
• Works on more and better feeds: new feeds and forages; new strategies to use existing feeds and forages
better.
There will be discussions on options for delivery at scale of feed and forage technologies (e.g. seed systems) that
prioritizes opportunities for women, youth and new private enterprises.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: FEEDS AND FORAGES IN THE LIVESTOCK CGIAR RESEARCH

PROGRAM
Michael Peters1*, Chris Jones2, Alan Duncan2, Valheria Castiblanco1, Uwe Ohmstedt1, Udo Rüdiger1, Barbara
Rischkowsky1 and Stefan Burkart1
1
International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), 2International Livestock Research institute (ILRI)
email: m.peters-ciat@cgiar.org
Animal Source Foods such as milk, meat and eggs are essential for human nutrition. Demand is increasing and this
offers multiple opportunities for livestock producers. However, sustainable productivity and efficiency gains are
needed, addressing both seasonal and inter-annual variation. Feed is a key limiting factor and often the most
expensive input into livestock production. The Feeds and Forages work, organized through a flagship program, aims
78
to respond to these bottlenecks by a) identifying and refining priorities through on-farm, large scale and global
assessments; b) developing novel feed and forage options; c) better utilizes these feed options and d) identifying and
testing approaches to scale these technologies through e.g. innovative business models, extension approaches and
capacity building. The work in this paper would focus on novel forages, with emphasis on Eastern and Southern
Africa. The aim is to identify specific needs and niches for forages and respond to this demand by developing novel
forages either through selection or breeding. Advances include the availability of novel forage options either through
selection e.g. of Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) or breeding of Brachiaria hybrids (Urochloa ruziziensis x U.
brizantha x U. decumbens). The approach for scaling of these novel options through linkages with the public and
private sector is being described.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: AN UPDATE ON THE GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR THE

CONSERVATION AND UTILISATION OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FORAGE GENETIC
RESOURCES
Chris Jones1*, Bruce Pengelly2, Brigitte Maass3 and Charlotte Lusty4
1
International Livestock Research institute (ILRI), 2Pengelly Consultancy / Consultant to the Crop Trust, 3University of Göttingen /
Consultant to the Crop Trust, 4Global Crop Diversity Trust, email: C.S.Jones@cgiar.org
Tropical and sub-tropical forages (TSTF) are critically important for supplying livestock feed and environmental
benefits in extensive and intensive livestock systems of developed and developing countries. There has been
focused collection and conservation of forage genetic resources (FGR), and research on their diversity, adaptation
and use for the past 60 years. This laid the foundations for the impacts TSTF have had, and continue to have.
However, since about 1995 there has been significant reduction in forage science investment, and capability globally,
and that has strangely coincided with the accelerated demand for livestock products. The status of TSTF germplasm
conservation, capability and capacity are now at risk, and the decline must be reversed if the tropical and subtropical
farming systems are to access the best genetic material and knowledge to meet the growing food/environmental
needs. A strategy to reduce barriers to TSTF conservation, research and utilisation was developed under the Global
Crop Diversity Trust in 2015 with input from across the TSTF-genetic resources community. Its aim was to build a
functional network of national, regional and international genetic resource centres, introduce operational efficiencies,
and enable genebanks to improve their role as knowledge managers and advisors for research and development
programs. The strategy’s main objectives are: 1) Rebuild the community of TSTF genebanks and genebank users to
develop closer collaboration and trust; 2) Ensure more efficient and rationalized conservation within and among
genebanks; and 3) Actively support utilisation by anticipating germplasm needs and responding to users’ requests for
information and seeds. Implementation of the strategy commenced in 2016, with the first aim being to win buy-in and
cooperation of international and national genebanks. A new Newsletter, ‘Forages for the Future’, has >600 recipients
and reports key implementation activities and the roles of forages across the tropics and subtropics. Making recent
impacts more widely known indirectly helps build the body of evidence that improved forages deliver impacts and is
the basis for growth in financial and human resources invested in TSTF. The CGIAR genebanks of ILRI and CIAT
play key roles in TSTF research and use. In recognition of the need for greater efficiencies and better utilisation of
the germplasm, ILRI and CIAT have undertaken an ambitious program to align collections to provide a one stop
portal, with prioritised species/accessions for conservation and research, and a simplified germplasm request
process. This change is occurring simultaneously with a TSTF strategy initiative encouraging some key national
TSTF centres to work more closely together and with the CGIAR centres and with the update of the widely used
TSTF database and selection tool, SoFT, with new content and ability to be used on smart phones. That new version
will be released in 2019. Reversing the past downward trend requires the commitment and long-term engagement of
partner countries and the donor community. The alternative is that 60 years of knowledge and expertise will have to
be rebuilt, and generations of farmers and other users will not realize the production and environmental benefits that
well-adapted and sustainably managed improved forages can attain.
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PLATFORM PRESENTATION: FORAGE SEED SYSTEMS IN EASTERN AFRICA: CHALLENGES AND

OPPORTUNITIES
Solomon Mwendia1*, Uwe Ohmstedt1, Stanely Karanja1, An Notenbaert1, Michael Peters1 and Chris Jones2
1
International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), 2International Livestock Research institute (ILRI),
email: s.mwendia@cgiar.org
Despite the profound livestock importance in eastern Africa, livestock productivity remains low attributable to a
number of challenges. One of the major drawbacks is lack of quality feeds and forages. This results in poor animal
performance and suboptimal use of resources. Intertwined with this lack of quality forages is the dearth of forage
planting materials - including seed and vegetative propagation – to offer producers improved forages adapted to
different ecologies and agricultural context. To alter the landscape, developed forage technologies coupled with
awareness creation is needed along the forage value chain to support commercially functioning forage seed
systems. With the projected doubling of demand for animal products (meat and milk) in sub-Saharan Africa, the
pressure will be exerted on livestock feed resources. This is likely to result in a knock-on demand for forage
cultivation and hence forage seed demand. To be successful, the forage seed systems need to be supported by an
enabling policy across the region, which include: functional procedures for certification and quality control, public-
private partnerships for the production and dissemination of planting materials, and technical advice in the
management of forages. Availability of proven forage technologies, coupled with awareness creation and facilitative
movement of forage seeds across countries would boost forage seed system development in eastern Africa, for
increased livestock productivity.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: FARMERS' PERCEPTIONS ON THE CAUSES OF FEED SHORTAGES

AND COST OF ESTABLISHING LEGUMINOUS PASTURES UNDER SMALL SCALE FARMING
SYSTEM
Nobuntu Matyholo-Mapeyi*, Mzubanzi Ntengento, Gcotyelwa Nkohla and Nonzaliseko Edith Mlahlwa
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, email: nobuntu.mapeyi@drdar.gov.za
Increase in livestock numbers in rural areas is leading to a growing demand for feed. Due to the high livestock
numbers, available space for grazing decreasing, and this has led to overstocking and overgrazing of natural
pastures. In 2010, a survey was carried out in Taleni and Shweni villages in the Ntsika Yethu Local Municipality,
where semi-structured questionnaires were used to investigate farmers’ perceptions and attitudes on the
establishment of leguminous cultivated pastures. The following year, a demonstration was also conducted to verify
affordability and the land area that is required during winter for a small-scale farming system. The objectives of both
the survey and demonstration was to address the feed shortage during prolonged dry seasons. The survey and
demonstration were also used as a means to measure cost of forage crop establishment versus buying feed or any
supplementary feeding available. There were 80% and 20% males and females represented, respectively, of the
total of 36 respondents interviewed in the two villages. All the respondents mentioned that the lack of proper fencing,
which impacts on the implementation of veld management practices, was a major constraint for ensuring that there is
enough feed. The majority of participants (60%) perceived that seed is expensive and 40% reported that
establishment of pasture is for commercial farmers. The input costs were calculated on the basis of 25 m 2 and
extrapolated to a 900 m 2, the average size of a garden in these villages. The cost for inputs, including labour, was
R738, for the use of three cows or eight ewes or does for 30 minutes for the duration of four days per week, and thus
far less than losing one animal. The reason for the perceptions among farmers that forage crop establishment is only
for commercial farmers was mainly driven by the cost involved. Respondents were of the view that it is more
expensive to plant a small area by hand and use kraal manure or fertiliser instead of having to transport and buy
bales and industrial processed feed. The implementation of this study resulted in a change of these misconceptions
of farmers in these two villages.
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PLATFORM PRESENTATION: ADOPTION OF IMPROVED FORAGE LEGUME TECHNOLOGIES BY

COMMUNAL FARMERS IN ZIMBABWE
Shirleen Fungisai Mushapaidze1, Irenie Chakoma2, Blessed Masunda1, Venancio Imbayarwo-Chikosi1 and
Takudzwa Charambira1*
1
University of Zimbabwe, 2International Livestock Research institute (ILRI), email: takudzwacharambira@gmail.com
The translation of forage research results into usable technologies and the adoption of the same by livestock farmers
is the only way to ensure returns to investment in forage research. A lot of work has been conducted on the feeding
value of different forage legumes in livestock production, but this has not been matched by changed feeding
practices on the ground. The objective of the study was to investigate the adoption level of improved forage legume
technology by communal farmers trained and exposed to forage legume production. The study also intended to
identify the socio-economic and bio-physical factors which led to adoption intensity and willingness to continue
practice, the major constraints affecting uptake of the improved technologies and farmer’s perception of forage
legumes on livestock productivity. The study was conducted in Goromonzi and Murewha districts. Two and three
wards were randomly selected in Goromonzi and Murewha, respectively. In each of the selected wards, 20 farmers
were chosen by random sampling to participate in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on
socio-demographics aspects, asset endowment, income sources, land holdings/ tenure, farm size, livestock
ownership and forage legume production by smallholder farmers. The data was analysed using a logistic regression
model to determine the likelihood factors influencing the decision to adoption and willingness to continue growing
improved forage legumes. A chi-square test was used to test for association between various farmer attributes and
forage legume adoption. The study also employed descriptive statistics. The results indicate that the mean area
under forage legume production has increased over the years from 2011 to 2017. There has been a cumulative rise
in forage legume production since 2011, with 85 % of respondents still growing forage legumes from the inception of
the project trainings and 88 % of farmers plan to continue growing legumes. Forage legume production ranked third
in terms of area under crop cultivation (p < 0.05) after maize and groundnuts. Herd size and socio demographic
factors did not influence the decision to continue growing legumes, except the size of household (p < 0.05).The major
constraint to adoption was seed availability and affordability. It was concluded that adoption of forage legumes is
labour intensive. Households with a lot of active members were more likely to continue growing and feeding forage
legumes.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS OF FORAGE SEED IN SMALLHOLDER

SYSTEMS OF ZIMBABWE
Irenie Chakoma1* and Bibi Chummun2
1
International Livestock Research institute (ILRI), 2University of KwaZulu-Natal, email: i.chakoma@cgiar.org
In smallholder systems, farmers are increasingly becoming aware of the need to improve livestock productivity
through production of quality fodder. This is in response to scarcity of feed, particularly in the dry season, associated
with seasonal variations, land degradation and the need to meet an increase in demand for livestock products. An
understanding of processes and actors involved along the forage seed value chain is important for developing
strategies that enhance adoption and sustainability especially in smallholder systems. The study was conducted to
evaluate the performance of forage seed sector value chain in Zimbabwe, focusing on germplasm availability, seed
production and marketing. Actors involved and their roles were assessed, and strategies developed on how to
enhance effectiveness of the value chain. The study employed household survey, focus group discussions (FGDs)
and key informant interviews (KII) to collect data. The survey employed a questionnaire with structured and semi-
structured questions. This was administered to a total of 414 randomly selected households from 10 purposively
selected wards. Four FGDs (two in each district), each with an average of 14 participants were conducted using a
FGD Guide with a checklist to collect data. KIIs, in-depth interviews, were conducted by employing the KII guide to
gather qualitative data from people who are well versed with the seed industry, like seed companies, input suppliers
and seed services regulators. Quantitative data from household survey was subjected to SPSS version
21 software generate descriptive statistics. Qualitative data from FGDs and KIIs was synthesised to crosscheck and
validate responses from the household survey. A SWOT analysis was also conducted to establish strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to forage seed value chain in the study area. Results indicate that
farmers use cropping lands to produce forage seed. Forage seed production is not a common practice as arable
81
lands are put to food crops. Seed is disseminated through sharing with other farmers, paying for farm services,
exchanging for other seed types and selling to individuals and companies. Actors along the value chain include
farmers (other seed producers, fodder producers and seed companies), seed companies who act as traders and
retailers, research and extension institutions, and NGO’s. Some linkages along the value chain are weak or non-
existent, such as among forage seed breeders, farmers and NGO’s. This is because forage seed production is not
considered a priority activity compared to food crop production. This is also compounded by the fact that forage seed
markets are not well developed, with transactions occurring informally. Challenges encountered in forage seed
production include unavailability of seed, under-developed market infrastructure, limited knowledge on production
and marketing of seed, and low prices. There is need to create awareness amongst farmers on production of forages
and benefits to be realised from such activities. As farmers gain knowledge and acquire more assets, they would
adopt forage seed technologies, resulting in improved livestock production and improved farmer participation in
markets.
PARALLEL SESSION B: SPECIAL SESSION ON FEEDS AND FORAGE, WITH

A FOCUS ON THE FORAGE SEED VALUE CHAIN
SESSION CHAIR: Sikhalazo Dube

Thursday, 26 July 2018, 10:30 - 13:30
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: BREEDING FOR LATE FLOWERING AND IMPROVED LEAF AND
ROOT YIELD IN FODDER RADISH
Patrick Rakau
Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, email: rakaup@arc.agric.za
Fodder radish (Raphanus sativus), which is often also referred to as Japanese radish, is the most popular and widely
used root crop in South Africa due to its higher yield potential than most winter cereals. The cultivar “Nooitgedacht”
was the first-ever locally bred fodder radish cultivar released, with six new cultivars subsequently bred and released
by the Agricultural Research Council – Animal Production (ARC-AP) based at Cedara. However, in more recent
years ARC-AP Cedara top-crossed their cultivars Geisha and Sterling onto a very late-flowering fodder radish line
supplied by PGG Wrightson Seeds (PGGW) of New Zealand. Thereafter, following eight consecutive years of
selection and breeding, the variety “Endurance” was released and is now inscribed in the South African Variety List,
while “Line 2” is still undergoing selection and breeding to genetically stabilize it. A trial was established during May
2015 at Cedara to determine the production potential of these new South African bred varieties compared to other
fodder radish varieties. The experiment was conducted on a Hutton soil type at the Cedara Research Station in the
natal Mistbelt, South Africa (29º 32´S 30º 16´ E), at an altitude of 1075 m and with a mean annual rainfall of 885 mm.
Seed of 12 radish cultivars of above mentioned species was planted. Four replications of the 12 cultivars were
planted in 3 x 4 balanced lattice with gross plot size of 10 m x 6 m. Twenty plants with a inter row spacing of 0.5 m
were planted. The trial was harvested for the first time three months after establishment, and then monthly thereafter
during the winter. The yield of both leaf and root components were determined separately. Net plot size after border
removal was 5.4 m x 10 m. The fresh herbage and roots were weighed within two to five minutes of sampling and
dried to constant weight in an electric oven at 75 ºC. The fodder radish cultivars Nooitgedatcht, Australian purple and
Samurai ran to seed in the late August, resulting in a decline in both leaf (0.0, 0.15 and 0.0 t DM ha -1) and roots
(0.13, 0.32 and 0.12 t DM ha-1) yield. The ability of the late-flowering varieties Endurance and Line 2 to maintain leaf
(0.93 and 1.04 t DM ha-1) and roots (0.4 and 0, 52 t DM ha -1) shows the potential of these varieties to improve yield
related to other varieties. There was no significant differences between all three harvesting dates (10 July 2017; 30
July 2017 and 28 August 2017) respectively. The varieties did not differ in terms of their yielding potential over
harvests e.g. Endurance yielding the same during all three harvest. This could be because of low production of this
trial due to uncontrolled weeds. Therefore, it is recommended that the same trial be repeated in 2018 to confirm
these results.
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PLATFORM PRESENTATION: BRACHIARIA GRASS FOR LIVESTOCK FEED SECURITY IN SUB-

SAHARAN AFRICA
Sita Ghimire*, Elizaphan Rao, Abdu Fall and Jacob Mignouna
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), email: Sita.Kalpana@gmail.com
Livestock production is an important agricultural sector that contributes 40 percent of the agricultural gross domestic
product in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It is a source of food, nutrition, crop production inputs, income, employment
and livelihood of the people in SSA. Despite the importance, livestock productivity in SSA is the lowest in the
world. The seasonal availability and low-quality feeds are among the major factors responsible for low livestock
productivity. Forages of African origin, including Brachiaria grass, have been instrumental in the transformation of
the livestock sector in tropical America, Australia and East Asia, but their potential has been little explored in SSA.
Considering this fact, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) initiated a collaborative research
programme on Brachiaria grass in 2012 with the objective of increasing livestock productivity in East Africa by
improving availability of quality forage. Through the farmer participatory varietal selection, the programme identified
five Brachiaria varieties suitable to East Africa and integrated them into mixed crop-livestock systems: milk
production increased by 15 - 40 % and live weight gains surpassed 50 %. For the past three years, ILRI has been
upscaling Brachiaria technology, and over 30,000 farming households in Kenya and Mali have adopted the
technology. Brachiaria grass is suitable for both cut-and-carry and grazing systems, and it is good for hay making.
Brachiaria hay production has emerged as a new agribusiness for youth and women that has not only enhanced
livestock feed availability in the dry season but also contributed to incomes and employment of rural people.
Brachiaria grass is becoming a preferred forage option across SSA due to high biomass production, high nutritive
value, remarkable increase in livestock productivity and resilience to drought. Recently, ILRI has expanded its
Brachiaria program in Cameroon, DRC, Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. To
better serve the large number of livestock farmers in Africa, ILRI collaborates with African National Agricultural
Research Institutes, Universities, non-governmental organizations and the private sector for research, capacity
building and upscaling of Brachiaria technologies.
PLATFORM PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION: GOAT FEEDS AND FEEDING SYSTEMS IN SEMI-

ARID SMALLHOLDER FARMING SYSTEM IN ZIMBABWE
Takudzwa Charambira1*, Irenie Chakoma2, Prisca Mugabe1, Shelton Kagande1, Venancio Imbayarwo-Chikosi1,
Gwinyai Chibaira3 and Sikhalazo Dube2
1
University of Zimbabwe, 2International Livestock Research institute (ILRI), 3Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
email: takudzwacharambira@gmail.com
Improved nutrition through planned supplementation of feed resources with sown pastures, locally available feeds
and improved crop residue management could substantially improve goat production in the semi-arid smallholder
farming sector. The major challenge to feed related interventions is lack of information on the current feed resources
and feeding systems. This study was conducted to identify goat feed resources, feeding systems and feed related
challenges for smallholder farmers in Beitbridge district located to the south east semi-arid region of Zimbabwe.
Geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing was combined with participatory research methods: key
informant interviews, individual farmers’ interviews, focus group discussions, participatory mapping and transect
walks to determine the diversity of feed resources in two (Chamunangana and Joko) of the fifteen wards. One
hundred and twenty households were included in the study. The diversity of rangeland feed resources included:
browse species such as Colophospermum mopane, Grewia bicolor and Grewia flavescens, Acacia pods and
forages. All farmers depended on rangeland feed resources for goat browsing. About 87% indicated that browse
land was not adequate, yet only 54% of the respondents practiced supplementation. Participants predominantly
used crop residues (40%), browse species (28%) and commercial feeds (22%) as supplements. Participants,
however, under-reported the use of Acacia pods and Amarula fruits, yet they played a vital role in goat nutrition
during the dry season. Of the 46% who did not supplement, 53% attributed this to unavailability of feeding material
and 29% were not aware of the importance whilst the rest thought it was not necessary to supplement. The decision
to supplement was influenced by geographic location and whether farmers milked their goats (p < 0.05).Gender,
marital status, age, level of education and experience in goat keeping had no influence on supplementing.
Respondents who supplemented had received some form of training in goat husbandry (p < 0.05). Shannon index
was higher in Chamunangana (1.29) compared to Joko (1.19). There was however no significance difference in
biomass
83
production between the study sites. The results show a diversity of feed resources, hence there is potential to
improve nutrition through planned supplementation of feed resources with locally available feeds, sown pastures and
better crop management.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: EVALUATION OF DRY SEASON FODDER SUPPLEMENTS ON THE

PERFORMANCE OF GOATS GRAZED ON NATURAL VELD IN A SEMI-ARID AREA OF ZIMBABWE
Tafadzwa Zvakumbirwa1*, Tapiwanashe Tembure1, Venancio Imbayarwo-Chikosi1, Blessed Masunda1, Prisca
Mugabe1, David Mbiriri1, Sikhalazo Dube2, Irenie Chakoma2 and Gwinyai Chibaira3
1
University of Zimbabwe, 2International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), 3Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
email: joshuazvakumbirwa@gmail.com
Inadequate nutrition for goats remains a major constraint among smallholder communal farmers particularly in dry
regions, where, ironically goats are of high importance. A number of forages have been tested and gave encouraging
results as supplements for goats on-station. However, relatively less on-farm testing of the same forages as
supplements for goats has been done. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementing
goats with forages: Bana grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) hays in one of the driest
parts of Zimbabwe, Beitbridge, during the dry season on growth, kid mortality, milk quality and milk offtake. The study
lasted ten weeks. Farmers in eight of the 15 wards took part in the study. The trials followed a nested design that
took into account sex, forage supplement, goat class and farmer. Each of the eight farmers acted as a replicate. Data
on weekly weight changes, pre-weaning kid mortalities, milk composition and milk offtake were recorded. Repeated
measures ANOVA of SAS and non-parametric tests of SAS were used to analyze for the effect of supplements on
weekly weight changes, milk composition, milk offtake and pre-weaning kid mortality. Dietary supplementation
resulted in greater weight gains than non-supplementing (p < 0.05) but the difference was not significant between the
supplemented groups (p > 0.05). There was no significant effect of supplementation on milk composition, offtake was
significantly higher in supplemented groups. Supplements had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on pre-weaning kid
mortality. Supplementing goats is therefore important during the dry months of the year as it ensures maintenance of
goat weights and also availability of more milk for human consumption. Goat production is the most important
economic activity in Beitbridge district throughout the year and maintenance of live weights will mean farmers can sell
their goats throughout the year and get good returns per animal. We therefore concluded that supplementing goats
with Bana grass or Velvet bean hay during the dry season in this arid region will improve weight gain and increase
milk that can be available for household consumption; confirming results observed on-station.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS OF GOATS IN BEITBRIDGE DISTRICT OF

ZIMBABWE
Sikhalazo Dube* and Irenie Chakoma
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), email: s.dube@cgiar.org
The uptake of technologies is driven by incentives which are embedded in households’ and firms’ activities. The goat
value chain project in Beitbridge also recognises that transactions and incentives for production and investment are
made by a sequence of actors that connect production to consumption. The goat population in Zimbabwe is
increasing and there is also an increase in demand of goat meat among consumers. However, natural pasture which
is limited in quantity and quality especially in the dry season is the main source of feed and the market for goats is
poorly developed. The overall objective of the study was to reveal information on goat production and marketing in
the Beitbridge district, highlight actors involved, constraints and opportunities that exist and suggest strategies to
improve goat productivity and smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. Data collection included a consultative meeting with
identified stakeholders within the district, followed by household surveys and interviews with various actors along the
value chain. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used for descriptive statistics. Discussions from the stakeholder
workshop and key informant interviews were consolidated and information extracted from there to verify data from
the survey. Goat production is mainly conducted on a subsistence level for the purpose of household consumption by
smallholder farmers. The main source of feed for goats is natural pasture and farmers do not supplement nor fatten
goats for the market. Reasons being that market prices for goats are low, there is limited access to goat
supplementary feed, limited finance to engage in goat feeding and cultural values attached to goats that do not
consider supplementation and fattening of goats important aspects. There are both formal and informal markets in
the district, with the latter being most pronounced. Farmers sell directly to neighbours and outside their communities
84
through negotiations on the side of both parties, with prices being very varied. Prices range between US$40 and
US$60 per live goat. Value chain actors include input suppliers such as feed and veterinary medicine. Other farmers
act as traders or middlemen for goats which are sold to auctioneers, abattoirs and butcheries in and beyond the
district. Traders in the district consist of middlemen, auctioneers and other farmers. Major constraints highlighted by
producers include poor access to veterinary drugs and goat markets, and high levies being charged associated with
livestock sales on the formal market. They also highlighted limited knowledge on goat production, low market prices
which is compounded by perceived monopoly by big companies in the livestock business. Livestock thefts and
predation are also prevalent, especially if goats are left in the rangelands. Traders, processors and retailers indicated
that farmers dispose of sick animals which get condemned by animal health inspectors and old animals that will fetch
low prices. Suggestions for improving goat productivity include a change of mindset to commercialising goat
production, conducting training on goat production and marketing, investment in irrigation and market infrastructure,
and access to credit facilities. Interventions such as livestock marketing should be promoted and be implemented by
farmers in collaboration with relevant stakeholders for sustainability.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE NUTRITIONAL PARAMETERS OF

DIFFERENT FEED SORGHUM CULTIVARS FOR RUMINANTS
Inge Neumann*, Lindeque Du Toit and Willem Van Niekerk
University of Pretoria, email: ingen247@gmail.com
There is a growing need to improve the quality of forages available to livestock producers in order to increase
production and efficiency. Sorghum, due to its drought tolerance, has the potential to improve livestock production in
sub-tropical regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate different sorghum cultivars available in South Africa
(sorghum x Sudan grass hybrid, sweet sorghum x sweet sorghum, BMR sorghum x sweet sorghum and Sudan x
Sudan grass hybrid) in terms of water use efficiency (WUE), dry matter yield and forage quality. Data was collected
from four forage sorghum cultivars grown at an experimental farm in Delmas, Mpumalanga. The cultivars were
planted in a randomised block design with four replicates under dryland conditions. The majority of the cultivars
attained the recommended grazing stage (80 cm height) and were ready to be harvested by hand within 48 days.
During the regrowth phase most cultivars reached 80 cm within 45-52 days. Water use efficiency and dry matter yield
for the growing season was recorded. Proximal analysis and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) was
analysed according to international accepted methods to determine forage quality at different harvest stages (first
cut, regrowth and silage stage). Total dry matter yield was unaffected (p < 0.465) by sorghum cultivar. BMR sorghum
x sweet sorghum proved to be the most water use efficient (24 kg DM 1m -1 rain), followed by sweet sorghum x sweet
sorghum, sorghum x Sudan grass and Sudan x Sudan. The average crude protein (CP) concentration at first harvest
of the different sorghum cultivars was 11.19 %, with sweet sorghum x sweet sorghum being higher (p < 0.05) and
BMR sorghum x sweet sorghum lower (p < 0.05) compared to the average at 12.75 % and 9.80 %, respectively. The
CP concentration across all cultivars varied (p < 0.05) between the different harvest stages, at 11.19 %, 5.95 % and
8.08 % for the first harvest, regrowth and silage stages, respectively. Calcium (0.34 %) and phosphorous (0.16 %)
was not different (p > 0.05) amongst cultivars, but did differ (P< 0.05) between harvest dates. Neutral detergent fibre
(NDFom) varied (p < 0.05) between the first harvest (58.66 %) and the regrowth (64.08 %) stage and between the
regrowth stage and the silage stage (57.42 %). Sorghum x Sudan grass NDFom (53.35 %) was lower (P< 0.05)
compared to the other cultivars evaluated. In vitro digestibility was not different (p > 0.05) amongst cultivars within
harvest stages, but it did differ between harvest stages, with the regrowth stage being lower (66.13 %) compared to
the first harvest (76.02 %) and silage stage (76.02 %). Sorghum x Sudan grass showed the highest potential to
improve production in sub-tropical livestock production systems followed by Sudan x Sudan under the experimental
conditions.
85
POLICY AND PRACTICE WORKSHOP: ECOLOGICAL

INFRASTRUCTURE
Friday, 27 July 2017, 09:00 - 13:00

Over recent years, decision makers in South Africa have begun to recognise the value of healthy Ecological
Infrastructure (EI) such as wetlands, grasslands and riparian zones, in ensuring the resilience of the country’s
environment, resources, and ultimately the survival of its people. These natural assets provide ecosystem services
such as clean water supply, fertile soil and pollination for agriculture and food security, flood attenuation (and
disaster prevention), as well as cultural and recreational benefits. These services are essentially provided free of
charge, and EI in good condition can thus benefit the economy considerably through avoided costs such as water
treatment, food imports, disaster management and prolonging the economic lifespan of built infrastructure.
Agriculture is a priority sector for realising food security, employment and economic growth and it is also a sector
with a large geographical and ecological footprint. The bulk of EI assets are located in agricultural landscape and
these are recognised as valuable assets underpinning the sustainability of agricultural production. The sector
depends and impact on EI and their depletion and degradation undermines the provision of water, fertile soil, forage
and food production. This workshop aims to provide participants with a background on South Africa’s EI assets and
their functions, as well as the gradual uptake of EI concepts into natural resource management structures, and
opportunities for uptake in the agricultural sector, including their governance processes. We will discuss the
challenges and benefits of investing in EI resilience to sustain agricultural landscapes, and making linkages to other
relevant focus such as the water security sector.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: INTRODUCTION TO THE ECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

CONCEPT AND ITS EVOLUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Mahlodi Tau* and Kennedy Nemutamvuni
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), email: m.tau@sanbi.org.za
The concept of investing in ecological infrastructure finds its origin in the financing model termed “Payment for
Ecosystem Services” (PES). The PES model has proven to be an effective mechanism to raise funding for
ecosystem restoration in other developing countries such as Costa Rica. The South African National Biodiversity
Institute (SANBI), through its biodiversity mainstreaming projects, set up a number of PES pilot projects to test its
effectiveness in South Africa. However, the pilot projects were proven unsuccessful due to regulatory issues,
complex agreement, a complicated supply chain and unwillingness from potential buyers to enter into long term
investment contracts. In parallel, SANBI embarked on a series of dialogues aimed at improving the communication of
the essential PES messages and making the case for biodiversity and development. These participatory
consultations resulted in the evolution of the concept of investing in ecological infrastructure in South Africa.
Ecological infrastructure refers to naturally functioning ecosystems that generate and deliver valuable services to
people, such as clean water, fertile soil, disaster risk reduction including flood attenuation, pollination for agriculture
and food security. These natural assets include healthy mountain catchments, healthy rangelands, rivers and
wetlands. It is the nature-based equivalent of built or hard infrastructure, and can be just as important for providing
services and underpinning socio-economic development. Ecological infrastructure provides cost effective, and in
most cases free, valuable services and long-term solutions that can benefit the economy and secure sustainable
livelihoods. This concept helped to encourage the public sector to invest in ecological infrastructure in a similar
manner, as it does with many forms of social and economic infrastructure. It has also resonated with the country’s
current intention of encouraging sustainable economic development and resulted in the establishment of catchment-
based partnerships in some of the country’s strategic water source areas.
86
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: INVESTING IN ECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE: OPPORTUNITIES

TO INFLUENCE AGRICULTURAL PLANNING AND POLICY
Dan'sile Cindi* and Mahlodi Tau
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), email: d.cindi@sanbi.org.za
South Africa’s agriculture sector is a national priority for realising food security, employment and economic growth
and is primarily governed by two key pieces of legislation, the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, Act 43 of
1983 (CARA) and the Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act, Act 70 of 1970 (SALA). Both rangelands and cultivated
lands occupy a large geographical and ecological footprint in the country. The sector has been an important target
for biodiversity mainstreaming because of its large spatial footprint and significant impacts on ecosystems and
species, both aquatic and terrestrial. Reducing the ecological footprint of agriculture through sustainable practices
can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, habitats and ecosystem services provision. Consequently, a
number of programmes over the years have attempted to mainstream biodiversity into the agricultural sector, with
varying degrees of success. Unlike the biodiversity message, the concept of investing in ecological infrastructure in
the agriculture sector provides an opportunity for multidisciplinary sectors to collaborate and build partnerships
geared towards improving healthy rangelands, build resilience of agricultural landscapes and ensure improved water
and food security. The sector depends and impacts on ecological infrastructure and the depletion and degradation of
ecological infrastructure undermines the provision of water, fertile soil, food production and forage. The bulk of
ecological infrastructure assets are located in the agricultural landscape and these are recognised as valuable assets
underpinning the sustainability of agricultural production. The concept resonate with the agricultural sector, its
policies and legislations by encouraging investment in healthy wetlands, rehabilitation of degraded rangelands,
management of virgin land and restriction of land use along the river banks aimed at realising sustainable
management of agricultural resources. For instance, important ecological infrastructure such as healthy rangelands
provide better quality grazing, clean water, a safety net for rural communities who rely directly on the rivers for water
and the rangelands for food. By investing in ecological infrastructure, the agricultural sector will realise better aligned
planning and policies with cross-cutting messaging, realise more job opportunities, reduce climate change
vulnerabilities and build safer communities and resilient agricultural landscapes.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: THE VALUE OF SPATIAL INFORMATION FOR THE AGRICULTURAL

SECTOR
Paul Avenant
DAFF - Land Use and Soil Management , email: paula@daff.gov.za
As an economic sector, agriculture has the mandate not only to ensure food security but also contributes to the
economy through the creation of jobs both in the production and processing sectors. Farming is regarded as a high-
risk business and decisions should be taken on sound scientific principles with the support of timeous and reliable
information. Effective planning, through the use of spatial information is essential to ensure optimal production with
minimum risk. The department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries is responsible for certain core data sets to guide
and inform the agricultural sector. The purpose of these data sets is to strengthen the current legislation and to
mandate the department. Current important data sets are the newly refined land capability and the demarcation of
Agricultural protected areas, which will guide the new proposed bill on the preservation and development of
agricultural land (PDALB). The new grazing capacity data set will replace the old map as part of regulation 10 in the
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA). Other important data sets include the cultivated fields, irrigated
areas, soil capability, crop suitability and various agricultural infrastructure and land use data sets. Using these
sources of information will really add value to the decision-making processes in proper farm management principles.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: SUPPORTING SOCIAL CHANGE FOR IMPROVED WATER

STEWARDSHIP
David Lindley
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), email: dlindley@wwf.org.za
Social change that supports improved agriculture practices which strengthen the stewardship of freshwater
ecological infrastructure are complex and most of us struggle to understand how our work can bring about
transformative change. Over the past 26 years of the WWF-Mondi Water Stewardship Partnership’s history
(previously known as the Mondi Wetlands Programme) of working with the forestry and agriculture sectors, it has
87
undergone a number of evaluations that have used social change theory to deeper understand what has worked,
what hasn’t and why. Some lessons will be shared from these evaluations. The research highlighted that the WWF
water stewardship case is still unfolding and redefining historically entrenched structures and relationships that
define the cultural and ecological landscapes that actors work in. These social and cultural structures can inhibit or
enable practice to better manage ecological infrastructure, so it is vital to understand them. It also highlights that it is
not just standards, policies and best practice tools that lead to better practice but the mediating spaces that
standards, policies, certifications and management systems can open up that bring about change. How these are
mediated into different contexts becomes vital for forming lasting learning and practice networks across the
landscapes (both ecological and cultural) of the farmers as well as within the value chains of the different agriculture
sectors that the WWF-Mondi Water Stewardship Partnership has worked in over the past 26 years. It is through
these learning networks that changes can be brought about. It also highlights that locally driven initiatives are more
likely to bring about meaningful change. From starting in 1991 as wetland practitioners focusing on wetland
management and rehabilitation, staff of the WWF-Mondi Water Stewardship Partnership have over time become
conveners of people. Bringing different role players together up the value chain in the sugar, dairy, citrus, and
forestry sectors that we work in, from farmers to processors, to retailers. This means we have had to develop new
skills and knowledge in how to work with people, understand how adults learn informally, and how social change
happens. These new skills have allowed us to deeper understand that how we work with people is often more
important than what we work on and the results we are working towards. It has also allowed us to begin to
reflectively measure the impact of our work that captures both not just the quantitative aspects of our work, but the
intangible unseen qualitative aspects as well. The challenge is to see whether the years of work into building
relational agency between actors will ultimately result in ecological and structural change at scale, or just more well-
oiled agriculture value chains that can tick the boxes of sustainability.
PLATFORM PRESENTATION: WATER SECURITY FROM A FARMER'S PERSPECTIVE

Richard Meissner
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), email: RMeissner@csir.co.za
South Africa is one of the driest countries in the world in terms of mean annual rainfall. Additionally, South Africa's
economic development is closely linked to its water security. Despite the high permium placed on South Africa's
water resources, there is no commonly shared understanding of water security. By using qualitative social scientific
methods, a team of CSIR social scientists investigated how people in two South African localities understand water
security. The team interviewed a number of stakeholders, including commercial and emerging farmers in the Greater
Sekhukhune District and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipalities. We discovered that water security perceptions
depend on many different factors, such as the changing state of the natural environment and the socio-economic
status of people is also important. The objective of this presentation is to report on farmers' perspectives of water
security. We interviewed a number of commercial and emerging farmers and asked them how they understand water
security. The issues of a changing environment and their socio-economic status featured strongly in their answers.
Even so, we also uncovered the finer nuances of water security linked to their lived experience as farmers.
88
LIST OF CONGRESS DELEGATES AS AT 21 JULY 2018

LAST NAME FIRST NAME COMPANY EMAIL
Ammann Sigrun Western Cape Department of Agriculture sigruna@elsenburg.com
Auret Willie Corteva AgriScience wpauret@dow.com
Avenant Paul DAFF - Land Use and Soil Management paula@daff.gov.za
Baloyi Ashley SANBI m.baloyi@sanbi.org.za
UNISA - Applied Behavioural Ecology &
Barrett Alan barreas@unisa.ac.za
Ecosystems Research Unit
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and
Berjak Donna Donna.Berjak@kzndard.gov.za
Rural Development
DAFF - Forest Technical and Information
Bester Johan johanbe@daff.gov.za
Services
North West Department of Rural, Environment
Bila Nedick mbila@nwpg.gov.za
and Agricultural Development
Black Wesley University of the Free State wesremus@yahoo.com
Bootsma Antoinette Limosella Consulting Pty Ltd antoinette@limosella.co.za
Botha Cobus cobus.botha@kzndard.gov.za
Rural Development
Brits Yvette yvettebrits@yahoo.com
UNISA - Applied Behavioural Ecology &
Brown Leslie LRBrown@unisa.ac.za
Ecosystems Research Unit
Chakoma Irenie International Livestock Research institute (ILRI) i.chakoma@cgiar.org
Charambira Takudzwa University of Zimbabwe takudzwacharambira@gmail.com
Chibaira Gwinyai Catholic Relief Services (CRS) gwinyai.chibaira@crs.org

Chueu Kedibone DAFF - Animal Production kedibonec@daff.gov.za
Cindi Dan'sile SANBI d.cindi@sanbi.org.za
Cupido Clement Agricultural Research Council ? API clementfcupido@gmail.com
Demmer Stuart University of KwaZulu-Natal 214518784@stu.ukzn.ac.za
Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural
Deysel Rouxdene rouxdene.deysel@gauteng.gov.za
Development
Diko William mboniso.diko@kzndard.gov.za
Rural Development
Dini John Water Research Commission (WRC) johnd@wrc.org.za
Dlamini Lindokuhle Xolani University of KwaZulu-Natal Leendoh.lx@gmail.com
Du Toit Justin DAFF - Grootfontein ADI justindutoit@gmail.com
Du Toit Freyni dNA Solutions dnasolutionscc@gmail.com
Du Toit Lindeque University of Pretoria linde.dutoit@up.ac.za
Dube Sikhalazo International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) s.dube@cgiar.org
Duigan Patrick patrick.duigan@gauteng.gov.za
Development
Els Heleen Mangosuthu University of Technology els.heleen@gmail.com
Fish Lyn SANBI l.fish@sanbi.org.za
Fouche Jaco Corteva AgriScience jfouche@dow.com
Fox Helen Rhodes University helenthefox@gmail.com
Gachao Leah International Livestock Research institute (ILRI) L.Kago@cgiar.org
Genis Amelia Landbouweekblad agenis@landbou.com
89
SURNAME FIRST NAME ORGANISATION EMAIL

Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and
Gerber Hannes hannelibbys@gmail.com
Rural Development
Ghimire Sita International Livestock Research institute (ILRI) Sita.Kalpana@gmail.com
Goodall Victoria VLG Statistical Services victoriagoodall@gmail.com
Gordijn Paul SAEON paul@saeon.ac.za
Grobler Marsia Agricultural Research Council - API mgrobler@arc.agric.za
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and
Gulwa Unathi ugulwa@yahoo.com
Agrarian Reform
Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and
Harmse Christiaan cjj.harmse@gmail.com
Rural Development
Hassen Abubeker University of Pretoria abubeker.hassen@up.ac.za
Hempson Gareth SAEON ghempson@gmail.com
Hendry Elsa Briza Publications elsa@briza.co.za
Henschel Joh SAEON henschel@saeon.ac.za
Horn Natalie Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development natalieh1811@gmail.com
Hughes Catherine Endangered Wildlife Trust catherineh@ewt.org.za
Janse Van
Amaria University of the Free State AmariaJvR@yahoo.com
Rensburg
Janse Van
Sue SAEON sue@saeon.ac.za
Rensburg
Jewitt Debbie Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife debbie.jewitt@kznwildlife.com
Jiyana Sanele Agricultural Research Council jiyanas@arc.agric.za
Jones Chris International Livestock Research institute (ILRI) C.S.Jones@cgiar.org
Jooste Stephan Corteva AgriScience sjooste@dow.com
Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, Rural
Jordaan Gideon gideon.jordaan01@gmail.com
Development and Agrarian Reform
quinton.joshua@gauteng.gov.z
Joshua Quinton Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
a
Joubert Erica Grassland Society of Southern Africa info+@grassland.org.za
Kahumba Absalom University of Namibia akahumba@unam.na
moagi.keretetse@gauteng.gov.
Keretetse Moagi Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
za
Kgope Barney Department of Environmental Affairs bkgope@environment.gov.za
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural
Khanyile Sandile sandile.lecturer@gmail.com
Development
Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture ,Rural
Khoza Petros khozapetros@gmail.com
Development, Land and Environmental Affairs
Kilian Hanno Khamab Kalahari Reserve ecologist@khamab.co.za
Kleyn Linda CSIR Meraka Institute kleyns@spesfeed.co.za
Free State Department of Economic Development, Tourism
Kraai Fusi kraaifm@gmail.com
and Environmental Affairs
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and
Kwaza Ayanda ayanda.kwaza@drdar.gov.za
Agrarian Reform
Labuschagne Willem Agricol (Pty) Ltd sswanepoel@agricol.co.za
Laka Tshepo Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development tshepolaka@gmail.com
Le Roux Pieter University of the Free State leRouxPA@ufs.ac.za
Lesabe Aobakwe Taung Agricultural College kialesabe@yahoo.com
North West Department of Rural, Environment and
Lester Ntsikelelo nlester@nwpg.gov.za
Agricultural Development
Letsoalo Ngoako Agricultural Research Council-API letsoalonl@arc.agric.za
Lindley David World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) dlindley@wwf.org.za
90

Links Petrus petrus.links@gauteng.gov.za
Development
Lotter David Themeda Game Farm Services davidslotter@gmail.com
Loza Joyce Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife joyce.loza@kznwildlife.com
Lukuyu Bernard International Livestock Research institute (ILRI) b.lukuyu@cgiar.org
Luthuli Cynthia Fikile fikile.luthuli@kzndard.gov.za
Rural Development
Madikizela Zinceba Department of Environmental Affairs zpeter@environment.gov.za
Magadlela Andrew Agricultural Research Council amagadlela@arc.agric.za
Magandana Thabo University of Pretoria tmagandana@gmail.com
Magawana Mpumelelo mpumelelo.magawana@kzndard.gov.za
Rural Development
Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural
Magoro Norman Modau magoro@mpg.gov.za
Malan Paul University of the Free State malanPJ@ufs.ac.za
Malatji Billy UNISA malatmb@unisa.ac.za
Manaka Lucas Agricultural Research Council manakam@arc.agric.za
Agricultural Research Council / University of
Mangwane Mziwanda mziwanda.mangwane@yahoo.com
Pretoria
Mantel Sukhmani Rhodes University s.mantel@ru.ac.za
Masemola Letty Agricultural Research Council - API lmasemola@arc.agric.za
Mashau Caroline SANBI c.mashau@sanbi.org.za
Masia Dalton Agricultural Research Council masian@arc.agric.za
Masuku Vakele vmasuku@nwpg.gov.za
Mathebula Noza noza.mathebula@gauteng.gov.za
Development
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development
Matshawule Sinethemba matshawule.sinethemba@yahoo.com
and Agrarian Reform
Matyholo- Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development
Nobuntu nobuntu.mapeyi@drdar.gov.za
Mapeyi and Agrarian Reform
Mavulwana Lomas lomas.mavuluana@gauteng.gov.za
Development
Mbiriri David University of Zimbabwe dtmbiriri@gmail.com
Mbolekwa Zola Senqu Local Municipality mbolekwaz@senqu.gov.za
McLeod Nicky Environmental & Rural Solutions (ERS) nicky@enviros.co.za
Meissner Richard CSIR RMeissner@csir.co.za
Meissner Heinz Milk SA heinzmeissner@vodamail.co.za
John
Mhlanga Bindura University of Science Education jgmhlanga@gmail.com
Gamuchirai
Limpopo Department of Agriculture &
Mhlanga Dudu Emmah duemma@webmail.co.za
Rural Development
Midgley Stephanie Western Cape Department of Agriculture stephanie.midgley@gmail.com
Mkabile Qawekazi Rhodes University - Institute for Water Research qmkabile@gmail.com
Mkhize Ntuthuko Agricultural Research Council mkhizen@arc.agric.za
Mkhize Mbali SANBI m.mkhize@sanbi.org.za
Mkhwanazi Maxwell maxwell.mkhwanazi@gauteng.gov.za
Development
Nonzaliseko Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development
Mlahlwa nonzaliseko.mlahlwa@drdar.gov.za
Edith and Agrarian Reform
91

Mochesane Moseketsi UNISA sekimochesane@gmail.com
Moeketsi Thabang University of the Free State 2013058603@ufs4life.ac.za
Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture ,Rural
Mokgakane Thabile Joyce mokgakanetj@gmail.com
Mokolopi Gloria UNISA kgobebg@unisa.ac.za
Mokou Baltimore University of Limpopo ball40more@gmail.com
Mokua Ernest emokua@nwpg.gov.za
Mokwala Michael Michael.Mokwala@gauteng.gov.za
Development
Molale Gontse Taung Agricultural College gontse.molale@gmail.com
Northern Cape Department of Agriculture,
Moncho Tshiamo tshiamo.moncho@yahoo.com
Land Reform and Rural Development
Mongale Boitumelo UNISA mongabf@unisa.ac.za
Free State Department of Economic
Morwe Bontle Development Tourism and Environmental morweb@destea.gov.za
Affairs
Moshidi Portia Mamothaladi Agricultural Research Council-API Moshidip@arc.agric.za
Moshobane Moleseng SANBI moshobanemc@gmail.com
Mpungose Nhlakanipho nmpungose18@yahoo.com
Rural Development
Msomi Msawenkosi Fano msawenkosi.msomi@kzndard.gov.za
Rural Development
Mthembi Nyiko SANBI nyikowm@gmail.com
Eastern Cape Department of Rural
Mthi Siza siza.mthi@drdar.gov.za
Muller Anieka Stellenbosch University aniekam@elsenburg.com
Muller Morne UNISA mullem@unisa.ac.za
Müller Francuois Agicultural Research Council mullerf@arc.agric.za
Limpopo Department of Economic
Munyai Fhatu fmmunyai@gmail.com
Development, Environment and Tourism
Musetha Victor DAFF - Animal Production victormu@daff.gov.za
Mushadu Wisani Goodness Limpopo Department of Agriculture mushaduwg@agric.limpopo.gov.za
Mvelase Thembeka University of KwaZulu-Natal 211517147@stu.ukzn.ac.za
Mweli Nobuhle University of KwaZulu-Natal / NRF/ SAEON nobuhlemweli@gmail.com
Mwendia Solomon International Center for Tropical Agriculture s.mwendia@cgiar.org
Nonkwekhwezi
Myeki Agricultural Research Council-API myekin@arc.agric.za
Princess
Myeni Sweetness Agricultural Research Council myenis@arc.agric.za
Nash Derryn derryn.nash@kzndard.gov.za
Rural Development
Nchoe Motlalepula North-West University mgtnchoe@gmail.com
University of KwaZulu-Natal / Agricultural
Ncisana Lusanda ncisanalusanda@gmail.com
Research Council
Ndlovu Mduduzi mduduzi.ndlovu@gauteng.gov.za
Development
Nel Leana DLF Seeds ln@dlfseeds.co.za
Nemutamvuni Kennedy SANBI k.nemutamvuni@sanbi.org.za
Nemutandani Mashudu mnemutandani@nwpg.gov.za
Nengovhela Nkhanedzeni DAFF - Animal Production nkhanedzenin@daff.gov.za
Neumann Inge University of Pretoria ingen247@gmail.com
92

Ngala Philemon DAFF - Grootfontein ADI philemonn@daff.gov.za
Nherera-Chokuda Florence Agricultural Research Council nhereraf@arc.agric.za
Nicholson Denise University of the Witwatersrand denise.nicholson@wits.ac.za
Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture,

Nkohla Gcotyelwa gcie5@gmail.com
Rural Development and Agrarian Reform
Nkomo Mandla Solidaridad Network mandla.nkomo@solidaridadnetwork.org

Paledi Mashego DAFF - Animal Production mashegop@daff.gov.za
Palmer Anthony Agricultural Research Council - API palmert@arc.agric.za
Patrocinio Susannah Cleo UNISA patrosc@unisa.ac.za
Paulse Jamie University of the Free State jpaulse363@gmail.com
Peel Mike Agricultural Research Council mikep@arc.agric.za
Peters Michael CIAT m.peters-ciat@cgiar.org
Phoko Motswapo Agricultural Research Council ? API motswapophoko@gmail.com
Pittaway Timothy Nelson Mandela University timothy.pittaway@mandela.ac.za
Pool Tiaan Nelson Mandela University tiaan.pool@mandela.ac.za
North West Department of Rural,

Power John john.safaris@gmail.com
Environment and Agricultural Development
Pule Hosia Agricultural Research Council ? API Gpule@arc.agric.za

Rakau Patrick Agricultural Research Council ? API rakaup@arc.agric.za
Department of Range Resources
Ramatla Sauli sauliramatla@gmail.com
Management, Lesotho
Ramoelo Abel CSIR aramoelo@csir.co.za
Gauteng Department of Agriculture and
Ramoletla Elizabeth elizabeth.ramoletla@gauteng.gov.za
Rural Development
Ramsay Keith Ramsay Animal Agriculture keithrms9@gmail.com
Reitz Christo Briza Publications christo@briza.co.za
Scheijen Ciska University of the Free State ciskascheijen@gmail.com
Scholes Bob WITS - Global Change Institute (GCI) bob.scholes@wits.ac.za
Scholtz Michiel Agricultural Research Council - API gscholtz@arc.agric.za
Seegers Christina christina.seegers@gauteng.gov.za
Rural Development
Seitlhamo Wilfred North West Parks Board wilfred.seitlhamo@gmail.com
Sekgobela Seboke DAFF - Animal Production sebokes@daff.gov.za
Sere Lesedi Agricultural Research Council - API SereL@arc.agric.za
Shrader Adrian University of Pretoria adrian.shrader@up.ac.za
Northern Cape Department of Environment
Smit Marnus zmsmit.denc@gmail.com
and Nature Conservation
Stehn Imke Jutta University of the Free State ijstehn@gmail.com
Stiller Michael Agricultural Research Council stillerm@arc.agric.za
Strydom Tercia SANParks tercia.strydom@sanparks.org
Svinurai Walter University of Pretoria wsvinurai@gmail.com
Swanepoel Pieter Stellenbosch University pieterswanepoel@sun.ac.za
Swemmer Tony SAEON tony@saeon.ac.za
Tanner Jane Institute for Water Research j.tanner@ru.ac.za
Tau Mahlodi SANBI m.tau@sanbi.org.za
Taylor Emily Endangered Wildlife Trust emilyt@ewt.org.za
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture
Taylor Janet janettaylor84@gmail.com
and Rural Development
93

Thubela Tanki thubelat@gmail.com
Tjelele Julius Agricultural Research Council jtjelele@arc.agric.za
Tokozwayo Sive furaluke@gmail.com
Trethewey Craig cat01@telkomsa.net
Trytsman Marike Agricultural Research Council - API MTrystman@arc.agric.za
Tshenkeng Phenya North West Parks Board ptshenkeng@nwpb.org.za
Twine Wayne University of the Witwatersrand wayne.twine@wits.ac.za
Van Der Colf Janke Western Cape Department of Agriculture jankevdc@elsenburg.com
Van Der Merwe Cara-Anne University of the Free State caravandermerwe95@gmail.com
Van Der
Christoff Stellenbosch University 18448240@sun.ac.za
Westhuizen
Van Essen LD Nyengere Solutions lourens.vanessen@gmail.com
Van Huyssteen Kobus SANSOR techoffice@sansor.co.za
Van Oudtshoorn Frits Africa Land Use Training frits@alut1.co.za
Van Schalkwyk Johan Vergelegen Trust mwjovs@mweb.co.za
Van Wyngaard Josef Voermol jdvvanwyngaard@gmail.com
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture
Van Zyl Erika erika.vanzyl@kzndard.gov.za
and Rural Development
Veldsman Stephan stephan.veldsman@gauteng.gov.za
Rural Development
Viljoen Charné Western Cape Department of Agriculture charnea@elsenburg.com
Zikishe Vathiswa SANBI v.zikishe@sanbi.org.za
Zondani Thantaswa Agricultural Research Council-API zondanit@arc.agric.za
Zvakumbirwa Tafadzwa University of Zimbabwe joshuazvakumbirwa@gmail.com
94

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53rd Annual Congress of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa

53rd Annual Congress

NINTH RESEARCH SKILLS WORKSHOP

POLICY AND PRACTICE WORKSHOP

Advancing Rangeland Ecology and Pasture Management in Africa

ARC Training Centre, Pretoria District, Gauteng, South Africa

Programme Compiled and edited by Janke van der Colf

Sunday, 22 July 2018 3

Wednesday, 25 July 2018 5

Thursday, 26 July 2018 6

Friday, 27 July 2018 9

Congress Organising Committee 10

Grassland Society of Southern Africa: 2017/18 Council 11

Thank you to our sponsors 12

Wednesday, 25 July 2018

Sunday, 22 July 09:00 to 17:00

09:00-09:40 Registration for Research Skills Workshop

Research Skills Workshop

10:00 Where we end up – choosing a career path Julius Tjelele

10:30 The research question Wayne Twine

11:00 How to plan and construct a thesis Abel Ramoelo

11:30-12:00 MORNING TEA

12:00 Data management – making it easier for you Victoria Goodall

12:30 Overcoming the publishing obstacle Wayne Twine

15:00-15:00 AFTERNOON TEA

16:30 Practical: Organising and manipulating data in Excel Justin Du Toit

Monday, 23 July 08:30 to 19:15

Sicklebush Tour to Bela-Bela departs at 09:00

10:00-10:30 MORNING TEA

10:30 Practical: The research question (continued) Wayne Twine

12:00 Practical: Photography in the field Justin Du Toit

15:00-15:30 AFTERNOON TEA

15:30 Smartphones and android apps for fieldwork Clement Cupido

16:30 Feedback session

18:00 Presidential address Sigrun Ammann

Corteva AgriScience - solutions for bush encroachment Jaco Fouche

19:15 MEET AND GREET AT CONGRESS VENUE

Tuesday, 24 July 08:30 to

Plenary: Climate Change

10:00-10:30 MORNING TEA

10:45 Meat naturally Nicky McLeod

Effect of simulated drought on annual net Comments from Kedibone

The effect of elevated temperatures on Vision for communal rangelands in South

Plenary: Climate Change

15:20-15:50 AFTERNOON TEA

Plenary: Advances in Methodology

17:00 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE GRASSLAND SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

Wednesday, 25 July 08:30 to 11:15

Long-term interactions of grazing

The effect of different nitrogen

Wednesday, 25 July 11:15 to 15:55

Does seed size, emergence rate and vigour

The impact on wool production yield of

Species composition and biomass

Effect of fresh lucerne and concentrate Portia

Plenary: Land Transformation and Rehabilitation

Wednesday, 25 July 15:55 to 18:30

18:30 PIZZA & QUIZ AT CRAZY BUSHMAN RESTAURANT

Thursday, 26 July 08:00 to 10:00

Parallel B: Feeds and Forage, with a

Leafhoppers associated with grasses Michael

Communal livestock management for

Parallel B: Feeds and Forage, with a