Resource
Plan ahead for your herd's veld needs when water and grazing are under pressure.
Carrying capacity is the number of animals a camp can feed and water through the year without losing veld cover. Whether you farm in the Karoo, the Highveld or among bushveld koppies, stocking has to match what the veld can support, especially in a dry year or during a strong El Niño season. Use the notes to check if your current numbers fit the available food and water, or before planning stud sales, restocking, or drought strategies for the season ahead. The figures are worked in large stock units per hectare, the unit most South African veld assessments use.
Work out carrying capacity step by step, then adjust stocking rates when grazing gets tight. There are tables to fill in with your own veld types, rain history, water points and the number of animals per camp. You’ll get examples showing calculations for common veld types, a guide to read signs of overgrazing, and a drought buffer planner. Just grab your notebook, walk your veld and jot down what you see. There’s a space to mark which camps need extra rest or rotation, and a reminder to check backup water and shade. A busy farmer can check a camp’s numbers and still forget to write down the water flow test, so we suggest ticking off each point as you go.
A common mistake is to overestimate how fast the veld recovers after rain, or to forget how quickly water points run low in a hot week. Another mistake is using old animal counts or not spotting new bare patches after a dry spell. Remember to check every species on the property, and to plan for shade and shelter in every camp. For your free printable copy of our carrying capacity notes, just send a message through our contact form with Carrying Capacity Notes in the subject line and we’ll send it through. To talk through a mixed veld or your camp layout, mention it in the same message.
