Camping the different ecotypes in the karoo is a successful management system in the karoo to utilise the vegetation most effectively. (Source: Danie van der Merwe)
Aims of Veld Management
On any farm, it is important to follow the principles of that specific biome and veld types to ensure sustainable land use
The aims of veld management can be summarised as follows. There are three main aims and within each of these main aims, there are also several more specific aims which must be striven after to reach the main aims.
Veld management and veld management systems aim to ensure maximum animal production over the long term. To achieve this, the following points must be kept in mind as requirements of specific aims.
- A high production of forage on the veld. This means that the vegetation must be as dense as possible, bare patches must be limited to a minimum and the vegetation must be in a vigorous condition.
- A constant and sustained production throughout the year and for the future. By making provision for droughts through reserve veld or supplementary feeding a more constant production from animals can be maintained. The effects of droughts on animal production must be kept to a minimum as far as possible.
- Effective utilisation of the available veld by the animals. Here it is important to keep the right type of animals, which means animals that are adapted to the veld and the climate. The animals must also be of a high quality.
- In the last place, the camps and the system can also help the farmer to get better utilisation of the veld.
- Veld management also strives to achieve maximum protection to the irreplaceable resource, the fertile topsoil. To achieve this the farmer must strive for the densest possible plant cover, especially a dense grass cover.
- Veld management also tries to attain an economically justified method or system for applying conservation farming, not only for the country as a whole but also for the benefit of every individual farmer. By employing veld management, the farmer is supplied with ways by which he can utilise his veld, have an income from it, and he can improve it at the same time.
Although it is not possible to achieve all these aims in their finest detail at the same time, all of them must always be kept in mind. While maximum sustained animal production is the primary purpose of veld management, it must be remembered that veld management is only a compromise between the requirements of the animal for maximum production, the requirements of the plants for maximum production and the requirements of the farmer in terms of money. The aims of veld management can also only be achieved if the farmer reveals the necessary knowledge and interest in the conservation and improvement of his veld.
Veld Management in the Karoo
In the karoo, it is advised to camp the different veld ecotypes. The different ecotypes in a veld vary with its production potential, susceptibility to erosion, palatability and ease of access by animals. Camping these ecotypes allows for the implementation of sound management practices in the karoo veld. Each camp can then be rested and grazed appropriately to the dominant species of the ecotype found in the specific camp. Having several different camps will also help facilitate the rotation between camps allowing adequate time for rest.
In the Karoo, camping different veld types separately allows for optimal use of each ecotype
Eroded and poorly vegetated areas may require soil loosening, overseeding with adapted species and sometimes even the application of gypsum. Severely eroded areas should actively be reclaimed as simply resting them will in most cases not facilitate recovery even over a few years. Additional restoration measures such as stone packs and brush packing will help promote recovery.