Organic Livestock Production Sustainable increase of meat production on natural grasslands in Namibia - research methodology and preliminary results -

Summary

Improvement in grazing systems are necessary to increase the productivity and sustainability of grassland utilisation in semi-arid Africa. Changes in stock density and stocking rate as described in the concept of “Holistic Management” can be an option of improvement. This management concept has not been tested scientifically yet, despite farmers report good success. “Holistic Management” is carried out on the farm is Springbockvley in Namibia since 1993. Since 2014, the grazing system has been changed to prove the concept. Approximately 800 head of cattle and 3,000 head of sheep are used in different herd densities have been introduced on a 9,500 ha farm. The vegetation and the stock productivity are assessed for the first experimental year. The designed methodology seems to be applicable for a scientific assessment of some “Holistic Management” tools.