The influence of feedback on hay pastures

The feeding of hay to sheep or cattle on an Eragrostis curvula pasture during the winter months has a most beneficial effect on the response of the pasture to fertilization in subsequent seasons. Low rates of feedback (10 t/ha) had an effect for two seasons whilst the effect of 30 t/ha lasted for at least three seasons and was much greater. Unfortunately the latter treatment resulted in bare areas in the pasture during the following season. Keywords: cattle; eragrostis curvula; feeding; fertilization; hay; nooitgedacht research station; pasture; response; sheep; south africa; treatment