The goat in a bush‐grass community

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Abstract
An investigation was conducted to determine whether goats could control bush regrowth and re‐infestation after initial bush clearing. A dense stand of A. karroo was chopped and the regrowth subsequently grazed either rotationally or continuously by sheep or goats. Regular observations of grazing were undertaken and the effect of treatment on bush regrowth and on the grass component was evaluated. Sheep were observed to devote from six to ten per cent of the time they spent collecting food, to the browsing of bush, while goats devoted as much time to grazing grass as to browsing. After the third season sheep had only slightly retarded bush regrowth and the effect of bush competition on grass production was noticeable. In the goat camps, bush regrowth had been largely contained and a considerable mortality of sampled trees was recorded. Continuous grazing by goats resulted in a higher mortality of trees and more efficient control of regrowth than did rotational grazing. There was a marked improvement in the cover, composition and vigour of the grass sward where goats grazed.

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