Research, Policy and Practice
Table 2 Comparative key parameters used in base case models for the Karoo biome livestock systems
Parameters | Traditional small scale | Commercial ranch |
|---|---|---|
Land available (ha) | 87,000 | 87,000 |
Land used (ha per enterprise) | 2,330 | 52,200 |
No. livestock (head) | 285 | 10,346 |
No. large stock units (LSU) | 47 | 871 |
Stocking rate (ha/LSU) | 50 | 60 |
‘Economic’ carrying capacity (ha/LSU) | 60 | 60 |
Lambing/kidding rate (% of ewes) | 90 | 130 |
Lambing/kidding rate (% of young ewes) | 98 | 130 |
Mortality rate (% of lambs) | 40 | 28 |
Mortality rate (% of adults) | 7 | 5 |
Ram rate (% of flock) | 3 | 3 |
Stock off-take rate (% of stock numbers) | 16 | 31 |
Biomass production (% of stock LSU) | 14 | 24 |