Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality
Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality
Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality
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SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING<br />
The main objective of supplementary feeding is to supplement deficiencies, as well as to<br />
stimulate the appetite of the grazing animals to ensure better utilisation of poor quality foraging<br />
material. It is common for certain areas to have deficiencies in minerals and these deficiencies<br />
can affect animal productivity. Originally game was able to move freely over large areas to select<br />
the most nutritious food, but due to the animals being restricted by fences it has become<br />
necessary to provide supplements.<br />
The nutritional value of grass species, particularly in the Sourveld regions, decreases<br />
considerably as the grass matures, especially in autumn and winter. This is associated with the<br />
deterioration in the condition of the animals.<br />
DIGESTIBILITY<br />
The digestibility of the organic matter is one of the main factors determining the nutritive value<br />
of forage. A high digestibility is maintained in the spring and this declines as the plant matures<br />
over the summer due to changes in the chemical composition of the plant. The rate of this<br />
decline varies between grass species.<br />
The basic determinant of forage digestibility is the plant anatomy. <strong>Plan</strong>t cell contents, being<br />
mainly carbohydrates and proteins, are almost completely digestible, but cell walls vary in<br />
digestibility according to their degree of reinforcement with lignin. As plants grow there is a<br />
greater need for fibrous tissues and therefore the main structural carbohydrates and lignin<br />
increase. However, the concentration of protein decreases as the plant ages. Thus digestibility<br />
decreases as plants increase in maturity. There is a reciprocal relationship between the protein<br />
and fibre contents in a given species.<br />
PROTEIN CONTENT<br />
Protein is most probably the most common chemical component that limits animal performance,<br />
provided sufficient energy is supplied. Protein requirements of animals depend on the species<br />
and class of animal and on the level of production.<br />
A minimum figure of 5 percent crude protein in natural pastures is generally required for<br />
ungulates on African veld, whereas 8 percent crude protein is necessary in the vegetation for<br />
livestock. This indicates that game can cope better than livestock in poorer veld conditions.<br />
Protein content varies among different forage species and generally declines with maturity. In<br />
general the leaves of trees and shrubs seasonally provide a more constant and higher level of<br />
protein than the grasses.<br />
© Ecological Associates/ <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong> 81