Rangeland management: The key to sustainable livestock farming

As the rainy season approaches and farmers prepare for the transition from the dry season, one key area of focus is rangeland management.
Rangeland management involves overseeing and maintaining natural landscapes — grasslands, savannas, and shrub lands —so they remain productive and sustainable for livestock grazing, wildlife habitats, and environmental health.
Effective rangeland management ensures a balance between the needs of grazing animals and the preservation of vegetation, soil, water resources, and biodiversity.
This is crucial, especially in light of climate change, as adaptation and resilience are increasingly necessary.
As the saying goes: “Livestock production is a process of converting grass into cash via animals.”
This captures the potential benefits of sustainable pasture management, as feed costs are the largest single expense for livestock production.
For both smallholder and commercial farmers, livestock production is a pillar of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, providing income, sustenance, and employment for countless families.
Sustainable rangeland management offers hope for the future of livestock farming in the country, particularly in drier regions.
Recently, Councillor Noah Chanhuwa of Ward 2 in Buhera District, Manicaland Province, reached out to livestock farmers in his area and inquired: “We want to know the best practices for our livestock in this dry area.
“What are the best forage grasses to plant here? And how many animals can farmers keep on their land without overgrazing?”
Many farmers share Councillor Chanhuwa’s concerns and questions. They seek to balance livestock numbers with sustainable grazing and ensure they don’t degrade their rangeland but still maximise productivity.
Effective rangeland management practices become even more essential in regions with limited water and forage resources.
This week’s article interrogates these questions, examining best practices for rangeland management, calculating appropriate stocking rates for small livestock and cattle, and selecting the right forage species.
Why Rangeland Management Matters
Over 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s land is rangeland, mostly in dry areas. For many communities, the rangeland is their most valuable asset, supporting livestock and livelihoods.
However, dry seasons and erratic rainfall patterns exacerbate the risks of overgrazing, soil erosion, and reduced productivity.
Effective rangeland management isn’t just about sustaining livestock now — it’s about preserving the land for future generations. Overgrazing can lead to a decline in forage quality, loss of soil fertility, and invasion by unpalatable plant species, all of which reduce the land’s carrying capacity.
Rangeland management ensures that land resources are used without depleting them so they can continue to support livestock production.
Embracing Good Rangeland Practices
Farmers should embrace best practices for sustainable rangeland management so that they can manage the land and livestock for optimal productivity without exhausting resources.

1. Controlled grazing
   One of the most effective practices is controlled grazing, where animals are moved between grazing areas to prevent overuse.
   In rotational grazing systems, animals graze an area for a specific period and then move on, allowing vegetation to recover. In semi-arid areas like Buhera, where forage regrowth can be slow, rotational grazing helps maintain ground cover.
2. Rest periods for rangeland
   Ensuring rest periods for each grazing section is essential, especially in drought-prone regions. Allowing sections of rangeland to rest enables grasses to set seed, establish deep roots and enhance resilience during dry periods. Giving the land time to rest allows the grasses to replenish themselves,
   which ensures a sustainable feed source.
3. Water management
   Managing water points is crucial, especially in water-scarce areas. Overusing certain watering sites can lead to soil erosion and vegetation degradation. Spreading out water sources helps distribute livestock pressure evenly across the rangeland, reducing the likelihood of overgrazing in one area.
4. Forage management
   Planting perennial, resilient forage species suited to the region’s climate and soil type is crucial for improving rangeland quality and supporting sustainable livestock production.
   Selecting drought-tolerant grasses like Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass), Eragrostis curvula (weeping lovegrass), Cynodon plectostachyus (Giant star grass) and perennial Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is especially beneficial in dry areas.
   These grasses have deep root systems that allow them to survive extended dry periods, maintaining ground cover and preventing soil erosion.
   In addition, their robust growth patterns help improve soil structure and fertility by adding organic matter to the soil.
   Furthermore, perennial forage grasses can reduce the need for frequent replanting, saving on costs and labour while providing a stable feed source.
   Calculating livestock units per hectare
   A key part of rangeland management is determining appropriate livestock units per hectare (LU/ha). Overstocking is a primary cause of rangeland degradation, so correct stocking rates ensure there’s enough forage for each animal without harming the rangeland.
   Stocking rate calculations depend on livestock type, forage availability, and rangeland productivity.
   Understanding the livestock unit (LU)
   A livestock unit (LU) is a standard measure used to compare the forage needs of different types and sizes of animals. To put it simply, one adult cow weighing about 450 kg is generally considered one livestock unit. Smaller animals like goats and sheep have lower LU values since their forage requirements are less.
   Typical LU values
   Cattle (450 kg): 1.0 LU
   Goat or sheep: 0.1 to 0.2 LU per animal
   Calves or small cattle (225 kg): 0.5 LU
   Calculating livestock units per hectare
   The LU per hectare calculation allows farmers to determine how many animals their land can support sustainably. The following is an example calculation:
   (i) Determine total land available: Calculate the total hectares of available rangeland.
   (ii) Estimate forage production: Estimate the annual forage yield of the land.
   In dry regions like Buhera, forage production may range from 500 to 1,000 kg per hectare per year.
   (iii) Forage requirement per LU: Typically, one LU requires about 4,000 kg of forage per
   year.
   Let us assume that Councillor Chanhuwa has 50 hectares of rangeland in Buhera with an estimated forage yield of 800 kg per hectare:
   Total forage production = 50 hectares × 800 kg/ha = 40 000 kg
   Livestock units that can be sustained = Total forage / Forage requirement per LU
   Sustainable livestock units = 40,000 kg / 4,000 kg per LU = 10 LU
   Therefore, Councillor Chanhuwa’s 50 hectares can sustainably support about 10 LU, which equates to roughly ten adult cattle or around 50 goats (assuming 0.2 LU per goat).
   Adapting stocking rates for drought
   Stocking rates should be adjusted annually based on rainfall, forage availability, and drought forecasts. Forage production may drop significantly during drought, so stocking rates must be reduced accordingly. Failing to adjust rates can lead to the risk of overgrazing, severely affecting rangeland recovery after the drought.
   Implementing drought adaptation strategies, such as temporary destocking or supplementary feeding, can help maintain a balanced ecosystem on the rangeland.
   Farmers who adjust stocking rates in response to drought conditions protect their livestock and land, ensuring the rangeland remains productive and resilient over the long term.
   Practical steps for farmers
   For farmers like Councillor Chanhuwa, effective rangeland management in dry regions can be achieved by following key steps. The first of these is to monitor forage levels carefully.
   Regular assessment of the quantity and quality of available forage in each paddock is essential to maintain balance. Farmers can use visual indicators, such as the percentage of ground cover and plant height, to estimate forage availability and ensure the land is not being overgrazed.
   Another critical step is the use of perennial and drought-resistant grasses. Planting drought-tolerant species can greatly improve rangeland resilience. These grasses are more capable of withstanding dry conditions, ensuring that livestock have a reliable forage source even in periods of low rainfall.
   Controlling stocking rates is also fundamental. Regular calculation and adjustment of livestock numbers to align with forage production is vital to sustainable management.
   Farmers must be prepared to reduce livestock numbers to prevent overgrazing during drought or reduced rainfall, thus maintaining a balance between animal demand and the rangeland’s capacity.
   Engaging in capacity-building initiatives is essential. Attending training sessions by the Ministry of Agriculture and community organisations and working with agricultural extension officers provides farmers with the knowledge and skills to implement best practices in rangeland management.
   The Government is also central to supporting farmers in rangeland management by adopting policies that promote sustainable grazing practices and extension services so that farmers can access information, technical support and resources for effective land management.
   Conclusion
   As the adage goes, “The land feeds the animals, and the animals feed the family.” Effective rangeland management is a shared responsibility among farmers, Government, and stakeholders, each playing a crucial role in preserving this vital resource. Collaboration is needed to ensure that rangelands remain productive and resilient to support livelihoods and sustainable agriculture for generations to come.
   Sheuneni Kurasha is the managing director of Chivara Farm, a diversified farming operation, which specialises in stud breeding for small livestock (Boer goats, Kalahari Red goats, Savanna goats, dairy goats (Saanen and Toggenburg), Damara sheep and Meatmaster sheep) as well as Boran cattle. For feedback, kindly get in touch on email: [email protected]; X: @chivarafarm or WhatsApp: +263 77 2874 523.