By Charl van Rooyen
Imagine starting out as a new farmer, owing the full purchase price of a 9 000-hectare farm at an interest rate of more than 20% – and finding the land so overgrown with dense bush that it’s nearly impossible to farm sustainably.
Pieter and Hannelie Möller farm with sheep and cattle on Terra Rouge between Koës and Gochas in eastern Namibia, on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. They also have a Meatmaster stud.
When Pieter took over the farm in the 1990s, he estimated there were up to 5 000 bushes per hectare, mostly three-thorn, on a large part of the land. Faced with such overwhelming bush encroachment, many other young farmers might have given up, but not Pieter. He made the bold decision to start clearing the land and implement a system of rotational grazing and rest. Today, he is reaping the rewards of that decision.
From 1995 to 1999, the region experienced a drought and interest rates were high. It was a challenging time. But Pieter says starting out under such tough conditions is actually one of the best thing that can happen to a farmer – you learn to always be prepared for the worst.”
The three-thorn does have a role in the Kalahari – springbok graze on it – but the amount of groundwater it extracts from the soil is disproportionate to its grazing value. The plant’s root mass is twice the size of its above-ground growth, and it draws heavily on the scarce and precious soil moisture. What’s more, it is only nutritionally valuable for a brief window. It flowers shortly after the first rains, and within two weeks produces highly nutritious pods. But just three weeks later it begins to seed, bringing its brief window as viable forage to an end.
Chemical bush clearing
In 1997, Pieter hired a team of workers to clear bushes using pickaxes, but this method proved ineffective, as three-thorns regenerate from their roots. The solution was chemical bush control.
Pieter mounted a Fan Jet Pro 65 broadcaster on an old four-wheel-drive bakkie and fitted it with Trimble precision application technology to precisely apply a granular herbicide – Limpopo 200 GG (Reg. No. L 7795 Act 36 of 1947) – at a rate of 3 kg per hectare. The active ingredient, tebuthiuron, destroys the chlorophyll in the leaves, ultimately killing the bushes.
Before treating an area, Pieter would estimate the number of bushes. The three-thorns are normally most concentrated in the dune streets. He would also count the camel thorn trees, which are sensitive to the herbicide – he would protect these trees by switching off the broadcaster when driving near them. The pods of the camel thorn are a valuable source of fodder in the dry season.
Harvesting grass
The dying bushes helped to restore the veld by creating a sheltered base where grass sees could collect and germinate. By the second year, sour grass began to appear, followed by perennial grasses. Since April 2022, Peter has been able to cut, bale and store grass from some of these rehabilitated areas using a Falcon Haymaker rotary cutter. He harvests only a small portion of the grass. The first time, he produced 2 500 square bales weighing about 16 kg each from just a few treated strips.
The protein content is lower than that of lucerne, but it’s still a valuable source of fodder, Pieter says. “During the recent drought, farmers were paying up to R180 for a 22–24 kg bale of lucerne. If you can cut enough grass, you save a lot of money.”
Pieter usually harvests the sour grass in early April, when it is in full seed but still green. In a year with good rainfall, the grass grows back and can be grazed later in the season.
Look after the roots
Grazing livestock can turn grass into money, but it requires well-managed grazing. “It is important to look after the root system of the grass – that is why good grazing management matters,” Pieter says.
Root growth is inversely related to aboveground growth: While the plant looks like it’s not growing, that’s when the roots are at their most active, given sufficient energy reserves. It the plant is repeatedly defoliated, the roots will die back.
Roots are most active before frost occurs, from mid-February to May, making adequate rest during this time essential. Grazing experts recommend various strategies – from ultra-high-density grazing to the four-camp system – but the best approach depends on each farm’s unique conditions.
The key, Pieter says, is to follow grazing with a long enough rest period to allow for proper root recovery. When you do that, the difference in above-ground spring growth is remarkable – even with just a little leftover moisture in the soil from the rainy season. A tussock of grass with a small root system will remain small, whereas one with a deep root system will flourish, despite both having the same amount of water available.
“The more attention I pay to nature and grazing management, the more I realise how little I actually know,” Pieter says.
“You have to constantly observe, evaluate and follow the right practices. Different grasses respond differently to rainfall – both the quantity and the timing – and to dry conditions. There is no single recipe for grazing management, but allowing the grass to rest is absolutely crucial.”
Pieter cites an example he observed on a farm he rented for four years for his cattle to graze. The farm had four camps of 2 500 hectares each. He rested one camp completely, and applied rotational grazing in the other three. For the eight years prior to that, only game had grazed the land. It soon became clear how lean the game were in the camp that hadn’t been grazed by cattle, compared to the game in the other three camps. “It’s about stimulating the grass tussocks and encouraging new growth,” he says.
This past summer, after two consecutive extremely dry years, Pieter noticed again how the grass continued to grow, even through winter. The livestock had been removed after the last time it rained, and many new shoots appeared even though there had been no rain since. “That really confirms the importance of rest periods,” he says, “even in times when grass growth would normally be minimal.”
Causes of bush encroachment
There are different opinions about the causes of bush encroachment. Some argue that it’s because controlled fires don’t burn as hot as natural wildfires so the bushes survive, and others attribute it to overgrazing.
Pieter believes there is no single cause for bush encroachment. Without chemical control, bushes that were cleared will regrow eventually. “I drive along the boundary of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park twice a week – my leased land borders it for 4 km. In the park, where only game has grazed since the 1900s, the same dense thickets of three-thorns can be found as on the leased land where I farm with commercial livestock. Even under those conditions the increase in three-thorn bushes is noticeable.”
Namibian regenerative agriculture consultant Colin Nott concluded from his research that grass volume (kg/ha) was up to eight times greater on chemically cleared veld compared to land that had not been cleared. In one case, the grass yield was 640 kg/ha in the autumn following a poor rainy season, compared to just 80 kg/ha on land that had not been cleared.
Another key principle in grazing management is to move a large herd of cattle quickly through the camps as soon as possible after the first significant rainfall (at least 15 mm). The hoof action helps to break up compacted soil, creating small depressions that can trap seeds and moisture, which stimulates germination and reduces evaporation.
Pieter normally grazes veld that has more grass thanks to control of bush encroachment at a stocking rate of 1 small stock unit (SSU) per 4,5 hectares. He closely monitors each camp, and moves the cattle based on what he knows about each camp.
At the moment, while they’re experiencing a drought, he is considering a temporary reduction to 1 SSU per 6,5–7,5 hectares to give the veld time to recover. “I can never follow a fixed pattern,” he says. “I have to adapt to what nature gives me.”
Pieter typically begins rotational grazing with large numbers of animals shortly after the first good rainfall. Depending on the size of the camp, the animals are moved every three to five days, and this rotation continues for as long as possible. Ideally, each camp should rest for about two months. He also tries to rest some camps – particularly those with the poorest grazing – for a full year. However, prolonged droughts often force him to adjust and graze some camps again after just six months.
“The changing climate and shifting rainfall patterns play a major role,” he says. “It feels like we’re getting more dry years than good ones. I have to keep adapting to everything.”
During the recent severe drought, he got only two good rainfalls over an eight-year period – far too little for the grasses to recover properly. As a result, he is now considering adapting his grazing system to include slightly larger herds, tighter rotation and longer rest periods, incorporating elements of pressure grazing.
The ideal scenario is to maintain a mix of tussock grasses and annual grasses. Sheep perform better on fynveld – annual species such as Kalahari sour grass – than on perennial tussock veld. After a prolonged dry spell, however, perennial grasses tend to respond more quickly to rain than sour grass, which often dies back unless it receives timely follow-up rain.
Cattle perform well if the condition of the veld improves, but during periods of low rainfall, farming with large numbers of cattle becomes risky. Sheep graze closer to the ground, defoliating the grass tufts more thoroughly, whereas cattle primarily use their tongues to graze and tend to leave more behind. In very dry conditions, sheep can also be kept alive for longer than cattle.
For this reason, cattle farming carries greater risk, but their hoof action and manure contribute positively to soil health and veld regeneration. On Terra Rouge, cattle make up about 20% of the livestock operation, and sheep the rest.
From borehole to trough
Water is supplied to the various camps on two farms via a 41 km underground pipeline. The third farm has a separate line. To prevent damage by porcupines searching for water, all the pipes are buried. The water pumps are all powered by solar energy, and borehole pumps in the Auob River bed are also connected to the power grid so they can be switched to alternating current when needed.
From the three boreholes in the river bed, water is first pumped into a large dam. From there, a transfer pump pushes the water 3,5 km through a 50 mm PVC pipe, lifting it 60 m in elevation to the first reservoir. From that point, water is distributed by gravity to camps covering an area of 6 300 hectares.
There is another reservoir near the far end of that area, from which water is pumped with a solar-powered transfer pump to a higher reservoir. From there, gravity feeds the water to camps on a further 6 800 hectares. Each camp is equipped with at least one drinking trough.
Water from boreholes among the dunes was previously used for livestock, but it contains high levels of fluoride, sodium and suspended solids. The water from the boreholes in the river is of better quality and more suitable for both humans and animals.
DIY power network
In 2004, a group of 33 farmers in the district established a company and secured a licence from NamPower. Each member then financed the construction of their own power line through a contractor. Hannelie manages the administration, and Pieter oversees the technical side.
Electricity is distributed to the members via a 250 km single-wire earth return (SWER) network. The system uses 11-metre-high poles with a single conductor and insulator, carrying only a positive wire. This single-phase transmission setup provides an affordable solution for delivering power to remote areas.
Each farm is equipped with its own transformer and additional pump points. At the end of each month, the members submit their meter readings to Hannelie, who calculates the charges. Individual bills are sent out, and the total amount is then paid to NamPower.
The private company has installed solar power systems of 20 kW each at five strategic points, which generate power during the day.
Enquiries: Pieter Möller, email: pcmol@iway.na, +264 81 591 3443
African Farming asked Pieter:
What kind of technology is indispensable in your farming operation?
A computer, a cellphone, Wi-Fi and an ultrasonic scanner.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
My late neighbour Kleinman van Rooyen used to say, “Buy when times are tough and sell when times are good,” and “You make more money with fewer sheep.” Both are absolutely true.
What is the biggest mistake you’ve ever made?
I went through a drought with too many animals. I wanted to sell some of them but the prices were too low, so the veld was damaged.
Who was your mentor?
Pa Johannes shared two pieces of wisdom that have stayed with me: “Keep your eye on your animals and your grazing,” and, “If you see a dragon flying towards you, let it pass – you might find there’s a huge diamond on its tail.” It’s about taking calculated risks.
What are your biggest challenges?
Surviving droughts; and managing production costs, livestock marketing and pricing structures.
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