(a) State two differences between extensive and intensive pasture management. [2] (b) A farmer in a semi-arid region manages 200 hectares of natural veld fo...
Question 1 Report
(a) State two differences between extensive and intensive pasture management. [2]
(b) A farmer in a semi-arid region manages 200 hectares of natural veld for 80 beef cattle.
(i) Calculate the stocking rate in hectares per animal. [1]
(ii) Explain why the stocking rate on natural veld is usually lower than on improved pasture. [2]
(c) Describe two ways in which controlled burning can be used to manage natural veld. [2]
Answer Details
(a) Two differences between extensive and intensive pasture management:
| Feature | Extensive | Intensive |
|---|---|---|
| Land and inputs | Large areas of natural/unimproved grasses with low inputs (no fertiliser, no irrigation) [1] | Smaller areas of improved/planted pastures with high inputs (fertiliser, irrigation, reseeding) [1] |
| Output | Low output per hectare | High output per hectare |
(b)(i) Stocking rate calculation:
\[ \text{Stocking rate} = \frac{\text{Total area}}{\text{Number of animals}} = \frac{200 \text{ ha}}{80 \text{ cattle}} = 2.5 \text{ ha per animal} \quad [1] \]
(b)(ii) The stocking rate on natural veld is lower (more hectares per animal) than on improved pasture because natural veld has lower grass productivity and slower regrowth rates [1]. The unimproved grasses also have lower nutritive value (less protein, less digestible energy), so each animal needs a larger grazing area to meet its daily feed requirements [1].
(c) Two ways controlled burning manages natural veld (any two for [2]):
- Removes moribund material - fire burns old, dead, unpalatable thatch, stimulating fresh, palatable regrowth from the grass crowns [1].
- Controls bush encroachment - fire kills or suppresses woody seedlings and shrubs that compete with grasses for light and water, maintaining the area as open grazing land [1].
Other acceptable points: stimulates germination of fire-adapted grass species; reduces tick and parasite habitat in dead thatch.
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