Veld management is very important to a livestock farmer - NSC Agricultural Management Practices - Question 2 - 2022 - Paper 1

1. Maximizing the continuous production of high-quality feed: Dividing grazing fields into camps helps ensure that animals have access to fresh and nutritious feed consistently.

2. Minimizing environmental impacts: Properly managed grazing camps prevent overgrazing, allowing pastures to recover and maintain soil health.

1. Reduced need for additional feed: With effective pasture management, farmers can minimize the need to purchase additional feed, lowering costs.

2. Increased income potential: Healthier pastures can support more livestock, translating into higher incomes.

Palatability influences the amount of feed animals will consume. For instance, palatable grasses lead to higher intake levels, promoting better nutritional intake and growth.

Topography affects accessibility for grazing animals; areas that are flat or low-lying may be more accessible, whereas steep slopes can lead to underutilization of available grazing lands.

Erosion impacts the availability of grazing areas. For instance, severe erosion diminishes the land’s grazing capacity, reducing the overall feed available for livestock.

The capital item (C) in the diagram representing a fixed capital item is likely to be ‘fences’.

The capital item (B) — ‘milk’ — represents a movable capital item.

1. Diversification of income: By producing both crops and livestock, farmers reduce the risk associated with relying on a single source of income, once unexpected events occur.
2. Enhanced market stability: Having multiple income streams can stabilize overall profit, protecting the farmer from market fluctuations in any one commodity.

Soil structure refers to the arrangement of soil particles into aggregates, influencing water retention, aeration, and root penetration.

Structured soils usually retain water better and facilitate root growth, whereas non-structured soils are more prone to erosion and compaction, negatively affecting crop yield.

1. Healthier soil and ecosystem: Organic farming methods enhance soil fertility and promote biodiversity.
2. Reduced chemical use: Less dependency on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides can lead to better environmental quality.

By applying pesticides more accurately, only targeted areas are treated, leading to less waste and reduced environmental impact, while maintaining control over pest populations.

Educational tourists aim to learn about agricultural practices, soil management, and sustainable farming techniques, thus promoting knowledge exchange.

Product route tourists are interested in observing the processes of agricultural production and how products are processed, enhancing their understanding of the agricultural supply chain.

1. Increased pressure on local resources.
2. Potential conflicts with privacy for farmers.
3. Increased commercialization of agricultural activities.
4. Seasonal variability in income.
5. Public liability and safety concerns.