Case Study 13: Devon Gauteng Sheep and Chicken feedlot.

This picture was taken in 2019. Note the open gaps in the pasture.
This picture was taken in 2019. Note the open gaps in the pasture.
The same pasture in 2021 after seed drop, germination and thickening of the stand
The same pasture in 2021 after seed drop, germination and thickening of the stand
If you look at these pictures closely you will notice that the weeds/kakiebos is being smothered. Note the irrigation system. 160 ewes with their lambs go through winter on 3.5 ha of Russian Grass that gets once a week irrigation water. The sheep belong to the farmers wife and the income is hers. The low cost structure without a winter feed bill makes this a good arrangement.
If you look at these pictures closely you will notice that the weeds/kakiebos is being smothered. Note the irrigation system. 160 ewes with their lambs go through winter on 3.5 ha of Russian Grass that gets once a week irrigation water. The sheep belong to the farmers wife and the income is hers. The low cost structure without a winter feed bill makes this a good arrangement.
Note the kakiebos being smothered. Over time any gaps are filled in and weeds pushed out.
Note the kakiebos being smothered. Over time any gaps are filled in and weeds pushed out.
The Russian Grass on the left was planted from cuttings and the stuff on the right from seed, about 5 years old. Note how seed thickens the stand and doubles the biomass and carrying capacity compared to planted from cuttings.
The Russian Grass on the left was planted from cuttings and the stuff on the right from seed, about 5 years old. Note how seed thickens the stand and doubles the biomass and carrying capacity compared to planted from cuttings.
Note the small area planted from cuttings/steggies with great effort, and the big area below easily established from seed.
Note the small area planted from cuttings/steggies with great effort, and the big area below easily established from seed.
Planted from seed with Breeder seed broadcast on the soil, with a mulch layer from an old grass bale rolled out over it. The mulch layer keep things moist and protected and easy establishment takes place.
Planted from seed with Breeder seed broadcast on the soil, with a mulch layer from an old grass bale rolled out over it. The mulch layer keep things moist and protected and easy establishment takes place.
Note the 20-25% protein Russian Grass on the left compared to the 1-2% protein summer veldt grass on the right. The Russian Grass remain green and growing all year while the summer veldt grass lose nutrition from mid summer into winter.
Note the 20-25% protein Russian Grass on the left compared to the 1-2% protein summer veldt grass on the right. The Russian Grass remain green and growing all year while the summer veldt grass lose nutrition from mid summer into winter.
Russian Grass planted from steggies/cuttings. Note the wide open spaces, the lack of biomass and the inferior production compared to plants established from breeder seed.
Russian Grass planted from steggies/cuttings. Note the wide open spaces, the lack of biomass and the inferior production compared to plants established from breeder seed.
With Russian Grass cuttings you end up with 5000 clumps of grass of about 20% protein.
With Russian Grass cuttings you end up with 5000 clumps of grass of about 20% protein.
With Russian Grass seed you end up with about 600 000-700 000 plants per ha of about 25-35% protein if grazed between ankle and knee height. No open spaces.
With Russian Grass seed you end up with about 600 000-700 000 plants per ha of about 25-35% protein if grazed between ankle and knee height. No open spaces.
Russian Grass during a September October heatwave used as chicken feed with a moverable chicken tractor coop system.
Russian Grass during a September October heatwave used as chicken feed with a moverable chicken tractor coop system.
These two enclosures are moved 1-2 times a day with broilers inside free range grazing inside. The Russian Grass pasture was first grazed numerous times in winter by sheep and then grazed by chickens afterwards. The sheep and chickens leave their manure on the pasture. Once the rains start this pasture will explode.
These two enclosures are moved 1-2 times a day with broilers inside free range grazing inside. The Russian Grass pasture was first grazed numerous times in winter by sheep and then grazed by chickens afterwards. The sheep and chickens leave their manure on the pasture. Once the rains start this pasture will explode.
Note the green nitrogen flush on the Russian Grass behind the moveable chicken enclosure a day after the chickens have left their manure as a fertilizer on the grass.
Note the green nitrogen flush on the Russian Grass behind the moveable chicken enclosure a day after the chickens have left their manure as a fertilizer on the grass.
Broilers grazing Russian Grass as a 20-30% component in their total diet ration.
Broilers grazing Russian Grass as a 20-30% component in their total diet ration.
The two moveable chicken enclosures -called chicken tractors.
The two moveable chicken enclosures -called chicken tractors.
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85 broilers per cage

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