Figure 5: a) section offices, screening and evaluation plots b) cactus, c) bana grass and finestem in background

The main objective of the rangeland and pastures section is to improve feed quality for increased profits, national herd and animal productivity. The research programmes are broadly categorised into forage conservation, evaluation and screening of pastures, veld management and pasture agronomy.

Achievements

• The section has in the past 30 years screened several forages and pastures for suitability in the sandveld region. Most of the forages are already being used in the low rainfall area eg bana, cassia, siratro. The screening also includes research into best agronomic practices for successfully establishing the forages and pastures.
• Several livestock feeding strategies suitable for a changing climate have been developed over years eg ensiling of cactus and other forages like leaucaena and bana grass  

Current research

• Influence of grazing on herbaceous vegetation and soils in dambo wetlands of Zimuto, Masvingo district of Zimbabwe
• The significance of D. Cinerea (L.) WIGHT & ARN (Fabaceae) on rangelands in the Gokomere semi-arid area of Masvingo, Zimbabwe
• The effects of invasive species on rangeland productivity

Small stock and draught power