Animal Science Research at Kokstad Research Station A D Lyle, A Jikijela, B N Dorning & T J Dugmore

Overwintering of pregnant beef cows on rested veld Overwintering costs the largest cost factor Body condition at calving influences fertility Cannot afford to loose excessive condition Traditionally cows overwintered on hay Sour veld inadequate to overwinter cows? Hay vs rested veld + protein:energy licks

Trial commenced in May each year for 3 yrs 33 pregnant Hereford cows per treatment Hay group fed hay from mid-July (+ prot lick) Calving commenced mid-August Both treatments commenced spring grazing in mid-Oct (+P12 salt lick)

Winter licks fed on veld Yr 1 - up to mid-July g Voermol 450/d –to mid-Aug – 600 g Voermol 450/d –prior to calving – 1.2 kg production lick/d –after calving – 1.5 kg production lick/d Yr 2 & 3 – to end July – 400 g beef sheep lick/d –to mid Aug – 500 g beef sheep lick/d –to spring grazing kg production lick/d

Results Yr: TrCow wt Calving Cow wt Weaning Weaner Weight Calving % 1: veld hay 410 kg 446 kg 476 kg 479 kg 160 kg 175 kg - 2: veld hay 402 kg 456 kg 483 kg 469 kg 157 kg 169 kg : veld hay 418 kg 436 kg 486 kg 469 kg 204 kg 175 kg 94 91

Lick + hay cost YrHay + lick R Veld + lick R Overwintering on sourveld has cost benefits and does not affect weaner weights or apparent fertility

Overwintering early summer lambing ewes on sourveld Traditionally lambing occurs in autumn Veld gp vs fescue gp 40 ewes per treatment (some lost to theft & dogs) fescue grazing commenced end July

Licks on veld All sheep on rested veld – May, June & July Fed 150 g Maxiwool /d (35 % CP) during mating in May to mid June mid June to mid Aug – 65 g Maxiwool/d mid Aug to mid Oct – 400g Maxiwool production lick/d (28 % CP) mid-Oct – summer lick (P12 + salt)

Results Yr: trLambing wt – ewe Wean wt – ewe Wean wt - lamb 18 mth wt Lamb % 1: veld fescue : veld fescue : veld fescue theft

Costs: Licks on veldR 16.11/ewe Fescue + licksR 32.41/ewe Overwintering ewes on veld holds cost advantages. Poor lamb weaning weaning weigh is only a problem if hamels are to be sold

Finishing young oxen on summer veld 15 Hereford & 15 Nguni yearling steers Implanted with Ralgro in October Fed a production lick on veld 1.2 kg maize meal added in February 1.2 kg supermol/d in early summer

Results HerefordNguni Ave days on trial Initial wt (kg) End wt (kg) Weight gain (kg) ADG (g/d) Profit over feeding period*R R * Costs included interest on capital, hay, lick, growth implant and dip

The Nguni were overfinished relative to the Herefords – could affect profitability Stocking rates for Nguni would be higher – will affect profit per ha