Stock density can be one of the most powerful tools livestock farmers can use to improve veld condition, but Herdscape cautions it should never be confused with simply putting more animals on the land. The real opportunity lies in controlled animal impact over a short period, followed by sufficient time for the veld to recover.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
Among the grazing-management practices available to livestock farmers, stock density can have a disproportionately beneficial influence on regenerative outcomes in the veld, according to Herdscape.
Stock density and herd effect are central to Herdscape’s argument that carrying capacity is not necessarily fixed and can be increased. But these are management tools, not automatic solutions.
Herd effect is the combined physical and behavioural impact created by animals moving and grazing together as a group.
While large wildlife herds moving across vast landscapes may appear to provide a model for livestock grazing, Herdscape cautions against making a direct comparison once animals are confined by fences. “As soon as you put up a fence everything changes. It is dangerous to suggest otherwise,” Herdscape says.
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It is not simply about more animals
Stock density refers to the number of animals or animal units concentrated on a particular area at one time. Herdscape says high stock density over a short period can encourage more uniform grazing. Animals trample standing dry material onto the soil surface, while depositing dung and urine and pressing seed and litter into contact with the ground.
This ground cover can feed soil organisms, reduce bare patches and slow rainfall runoff. Trampled grass also acts as mulch, helping protect the soil from erosion and capping.
But simply increasing animal numbers is not the objective.
“The principle is not ‘more animals on the land’; it is more controlled animal impact for a short time, followed by enough rest for the veld to recover fully,” Herdscape says.
“The important point is not just the impact, but the combination of impact plus recovery.”
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Give the veld time to recover
Herdscape says creating animal impact is only half of the job. The other half is allowing plants sufficient time to recover. After grazing, plants need time to regrow and rebuild their root reserves. Herdscape argues that even severe grazing need not necessarily be harmful if followed by sufficient recovery.
“A severe graze is not harmful if it is followed by a long rest period of up to 12 months to allow the veld to recover fully,” Herdscape says.
If animals remain in a camp too long, or return before plants have recovered, the result can be harmful overgrazing.
“This is also why stock density cannot simply be copied from another farm. Animal impact must be matched to grazing capacity, and farmers need information from their own veld to determine what it can safely sustain.”
Put the ‘hoof and dung’ effect to work
Livestock themselves can also become a tool for working degraded veld. Herdscape describes high-density livestock, when managed correctly, as biological land renovators.
Hoof action can disturb capped or compacted surfaces and press plant material against the ground, while dung and urine contribute nitrogen, organic carbon and soil microbes.
On severely degraded, bush-encroached or hardpan areas, Herdscape suggests practices such as overnight kraaling or high-intensity trampling, followed by a long rest period.
Again, they say, recovery is critical. “The ultimate failure in veld management is not the intensity of the graze, but the lack of time given for plants to recover,” Herdscape says.
The farmer remains in control
Stock density is therefore not a shortcut to higher carrying capacity. It is one component of a grazing-management system in which the farmer controls animal concentration, grazing duration and recovery.
When livestock are managed to support recovery rather than exert continuous pressure, they can become part of the process that restores soil function and forage production.
Better-managed veld captures more rainfall; captured rain grows more grass; and more grass supports roots and soil organisms that, in turn, improve soil structure and future water infiltration.
Ultimately, Herdscape advises farmers to “match stocking rate to grazing capacity and apply stock density judiciously” to unlock the regenerative potential of their veld.
Stock density may be the “muscle” in veld management, but the farmer still has to decide when, where and how to use it.
Source: This article is based on technical information and guidance provided by Herdscape. For more information on regenerative grazing, livestock management and Herdscape’s training programmes, visit Herdscape or contact them at frontdesk@herdscape.co.za or 083 781 3441.
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