NAME OF TEACHER : Mr Mamba Caiphus A. F.

WEEK : 6 (26 February – 01 March, 2024)

TERM : 1
DAY : 27 February, 2024
TIME/PERIOD : 0930 – 1015hrs/P2
CLASS : Form 5
SUBJECT : Agriculture
CHAPTER/MAIN : 8.0 Pasture Management
TOPIC
LESSON : 9
SUB-TOPIC : 8.2.2 Extensive Management Methods
8.2.3 Improving Pasture Utilization
OBJECTIVE(S) : Students should be able to:
1. Describe selected extensive pastures management methods
2. Explain the importance of: Stocking rate & Carrying capacity
3. Explain how pasture utilization can be improved by fencing,
rotational grazing & draining wet pasture

TEACHING METHOD : Discussion/Description

TEACHING AIDS : Laptop/Mobile Phones
SOURCES : 1. Internet search
2. Macmillan Agriculture for Southern Africa [Nkhwa et. al., 2009]
PRESENTATION : Extensive Pasture Management Methods
1. Bush control
- Bush encroachment is observed when pastures are suddenly
invaded by large trees and invasive shrubs (e.g. wattle trees,
triffid and lantana)
- Bushes usually smother the grass and reduce the grazing value
of the pastures
- Trees should be cut to remain with a few that will provide shade
for ruminating livestock
- The shrubs can be cut or let goats to browse on their seedlings

2. Control of livestock grazing

- Overgrazing results in loss of grazing value of the pasture, land
degradation and subsequent erosion
- The amount of time allowed for livestock to graze on a given
piece of pasture land should be determined by the level at which

pg. 1
 the grass can be picked by the livestock without killing it (the
grass)
- Two concepts are key in controlling livestock grazing, and
farmers should have sufficient knowledge of them and their
climatic and ecological zones;
 Stocking rate – this is the number of livestock units (LSU) grazing
or browsing one hectare of land per given period of time.
 Carrying capacity – this is the maximum number of livestock
units (LSU) that one hectare of land can support in grazing or
browsing without the land deteriorating. Carrying capacity can
be influenced by such factors as the climate of the region, type
of grass and other vegetation.

3. The use and misuse of fire

- Farmers use fire to control parasite infestation, invasive plant
species, as well as stimulating new growth of vegetation
- Burning needs to be carried out just before the onset of early
rains, when the pasture land has accumulated enough dry
matter
- Care should be taken not to burn the pastures at the wrong time
when it would be difficult for the grass to regrow, or when the
grass and other vegetation are still wet
- On windy days and when there is a risk of runaway fires, burning
should be avoided

Extensive pasture management methods for improving pasture utilization

1. Fencing
- Livestock movement is controlled; thus degraded areas of the
pastures can be allowed time to recover
- Grazing on grass species that are sensitive to grazing can be
easily managed
- Pasture reservation can be done when fencing is possible

2. Rotational grazing
- It gives the farmer total control of livestock movement and the
level of grazing of the grass in different camps and paddocks
- Selective grazing is minimized, so that both palatable and
unpalatable grass species are balanced

3. Draining wet pastures

- Puddles of stagnant water in the pastures needs to be drained
away as they may encourage infestation of internal parasites
such as liver flukes

pg. 2
 - Wet pastures are not good for livestock such as goats and sheep
that may suffer from hoof (foot) rot
STUDENT’S : - Students will participate by engaging in discussion; responding to
ACTIVITIES questions and brainstorming on ideas on certain topics
- As discussion progresses, they will also write down summarised
notes to enhance studying
- They will be encouraged to ask questions where clarity is required
EVALUATION : Practise questions:

1. Describe the management methods you would use to control the

following parasites in pastures:
(a) Liver flukes
(b) Ticks and mites
(c) Roundworms
2. Give reasons why fencing is important as a pasture management
method
SELF-EVALUATION : -

pg. 3