Seasonal and management effects on the composition and availability of herbage, steer diet and live-weight gains in a Themeda triandra grassland in Kenya. II. Results of herbage studies, diet selected and live-weight gains

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Abstract
SUMMARY: The environment, design and methods of this 2-year Kedong grazing trial in the Rift Valley of Kenya were described in Part I.Crude protein of grasses varied seasonally, usually between 3 and 6 %, while most shrubs and herbs, leguminous and non-leguminous, were in the 10–20 % range, although contributing only about 3 % by weight of the total sward, excluding large bushes and trees. Steers selected herbage of 2–3 % units higher C. P., more Themeda leaf and more herbs than the sward average. Treatment effects on sward and diet C. P., and their relationships, were generally small and inconsistent. Higher C. P. in post-burning ro-growth declined to average levels after 2–3 months, except when grazed at one steer to 4–4 acres, rotational (i.e. 1–5 acres available). At this pressure available herbage fell below 1000 lb D.M./acre (1120 kg/ha). In all other treatments 2500–4500 lb D.M./acre wore available at all times. Estimated herbage production varied from almost nil to 320 lb D. M./acre/month. Burning removed 3000 lb D.M./acre. Relationships between herbage C. P., diet c. p. (oesophageal fistula samples) and faeces N were determined.
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