TopVeld Veld Ecologist

09/04/2026

HOËDRUK BEWEIDING STUDIES
'n Groep van ons is tans besig met navorsing om die effek van hoëdruk beweiding op plase waar hierdie stelsel al vir 10 jaar of langer op ń betrokke kamp toegepas word, te bestudeer. Dus is ek opsoek na boere wat hoëdruk beweiding vir hierdie tydperk toepas. U kan my (Shobie) kontak by 082 801 4114.
Baie dankie.

-------------------------------------

HIGH-DENSITY GRAZING STUDIES

A group of us is currently conducting research to study the effect of high-density grazing on farms where this system has already been applied to a specific camp for 10 years or longer. Therefore, I am looking for farmers who have been implementing high-pressure grazing for this period of time. You can contact me (Shobie) at 082 801 4114.

Thank you very much.

24/02/2026

Dagsê almal. Vandag was daar 'n onderhoud met my gevoer op Pretoria FM in verband met veldbestuur. Ek hoop julle vind dit insiggewend.
Hier is die skakel om daarna te luister. 😁

Hello everyone. Today I was interviewed on Pretoria FM regarding veld management.
Here is the link to listen to it. Unfortunately it was in Afrikaans for those that do not understand Afrikaans. I hope you found it informative.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/54iR3bzv145TljzQii1T3V?si=wtRPr-gfRvKdUkL1Ue6OFQ

Landbou · Episode

04/02/2026

🌿 Grass ID: Urochloa serrata (previously Brachiaria serrata)
(Also known as Velvet Signal Grass / Fluweelsinjaalgras)

If you want to know how healthy your veld really is… look down for this grass.

🔍 How to identify Urochloa serrata
✅ Growth form:
A tufted, perennial grass — forms neat clumps, not a creeping mat.

✅ Leaves:
• Narrow to fairly broad
• Rough to the touch
• The leaf margins feel finely serrated/crinkled (like a tiny saw) — this is a key ID feature
• Leave blade and sheaths silky hairy
• 50–250mm x 2–10mm
• Often slightly bluish-green
• Ligule a fringe of hairs

✅ Stems:
• Upright, firm, and leafy at the base
• 300–750mm tall
• Basal sheath, nodes and internodes silky hairy

✅ Inflorescence / Seed head:
• Several arm-like branches (racemes) coming off the top of the stem
• Spikelets arranged in two rows along one side of each branch
• 2.3–4.3mm long with dense, long, silky white, pink to red or purple hairs

✅ Similarities with other species:
• Inflorescence looks similar to other Urochloa species, but the rough, “saw-edged” leaves help separate it.
• Similar to U. nigropedata (Back-footed grass / Swartvoetjiegras), which has a spikelet supported on a dark structure (Stipe)

✅ Distribution in Southern Africa:
• Occurs in all provinces and neighbouring countries except Mozambique

________________________________________
🌱 Ecological importance
• Prefers shallow sandy soils; usually in rocky areas or on mountain slopes, but extending into open bush, grasslands and occasionally to vlei edges
⭐ This is a DECREASER grass
That means:
• It dominates in good, healthy veld
• It declines first when veld is overgrazed or mismanaged
• Its presence is a sign of correct grazing pressure and recovery time
If Urochloa serrata starts disappearing and is replaced by less desirable species, your veld is telling you something is wrong.
________________________________________
🐄 Grazing value
✔ Good palatability when young
✔ Contributes to quality grazing in sourveld and mixed veld
❌ Does not tolerate continuous heavy grazing and regular fires
________________________________________
💡 Interesting fact
Because it is a Decreaser, this grass acts like a natural veld health meter.
Where you see plenty of it, your grazing management is probably on the right track.
________________________________________
📖 Origin of the name
Urochloa comes from the Greek word “brachion” meaning “arm” — referring to the arm-like branches of the seed head.
serrata means “serrated” or “saw-toothed” — describing the rough, toothed leaf edges.
👉 The plant is literally named after its scratchy leaves.This is one of those grasses that quietly tells the whole story of how the land is treated.

I am a grassland ecologist, and you are welcome to contact me, Shobie Arnoldi, at 082 801 4114 for a grazing management plan tailored to the different soil types and topography in each camp.

26/01/2026

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HARD GRAZING AND OVERGRAZING
Many people confuse hard grazing with overgrazing — but they're not the same thing at all. One can build your land; the other destroys it. Hard grazing and overgrazing both involve intense or heavy grazing pressure on pastures or rangelands, but they differ significantly in management intent, timing, recovery periods, and long-term ecological outcomes.

Key Differences
HARD GRAZING (also called severe grazing or heavy grazing):
* A deliberate, short-term, intensive grazing event where livestock are concentrated to remove a large portion (often 70–90%) of the above-ground plant material in a short period.
* Typically part of a planned rotational or adaptive grazing system (e.g., holistic planned grazing, mob grazing, ultra-high-density grazing.

The GOAL is often to:
- "Reset" plant succession
- Force animals to eat less-preferred plants (w**ds, mature/woody material)
- Trample residue into the soil (adding organic matter)
- Stimulate regrowth of desirable grasses
- Crucially: followed by a long recovery/rest period (often 30–120+ days depending on climate, rainfall and season) so plants can fully regrow roots and leaves before being grazed again.
- When done correctly → generally regenerative or at least neutral to positive for soil health, biodiversity, and long-term productivity.

OVERGRAZING:
* Repeated defoliation of plants without giving them adequate recovery time between grazing events.
* Often results from:
- Continuous grazing (set stocking) with too many animals
- Returning animals to the same area too soon
- Chronic overstocking year after year
- Plants are grazed again (and again) before they have rebuilt root reserves → weakened root systems → reduced photosynthesis → eventual plant death.
* Leads to:
- Bare soil
- Erosion
- Loss of desirable forage species
- Increase in unpalatable w**ds/Increaser grass species/invaders
- Compacted soil and reduced water infiltration
- Overall decline in rangeland/pasture productivity and carrying capacity
- Almost always negative/damaging in the long term.

Here is a quick comparison:

HARD GRAZING
Intensity: Very high (short duration)
Duration: Short, intense period
Recovery period: Long and planned
Management: Intentional (usually rotational)
Plant impact: Severe defoliation once, then rest
Long-term effect: Can be regenerative / productive
Common context: Regenerative agriculture, High density- or Ultra High density grazing

OVERGRAZING
Intensity: High and prolonged/repeated
Duration: Extended or repeated too frequently
Recovery period: Inadequate or none
Management: Often unintentional / poor management
Plant impact: Repeated defoliation → root depletion
Long-term effect: Degrading / desertification risk
Common context: Continuous/set stocking, overstocking

In summary:
Hard grazing is a tool (high impact, short duration + long rest) used intentionally to improve the system.
Overgrazing is a problem (repeated high impact with insufficient rest) that degrades the system.

The same level of grazing intensity can be beneficial when part of good management (hard grazing) or destructive when mismanaged (overgrazing). The critical difference is almost always rest/recovery time after grazing.

12/01/2026

NIDORELLA RESEDIFOLIA
Geel stinkbossie, Stinkblom (Afr.), Stinkingw**d (Eng.)

What it looks like:
A medium to tall sized (40–100 cm tall), strongly smelling plant with narrow, grey-green leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers. Easily recognised by its sharp, unpleasant odour when touched or crushed.

Where it is spreading:
Widespread and increasing in Highveld and Grassland areas – especially Mpumalanga, Free State, Gauteng, North West and Eastern Cape. Explodes after good summer rains, particularly in disturbed or overgrazed veld.

Toxicity (especially to livestock):
⚠️ Not highly poisonous, but unpalatable. Livestock generally avoid it because of the smell and taste. If eaten in large amounts during feed shortages, it may cause digestive upset.

Impact on agriculture:
• Reduces usable grazing because animals avoid infested patches
• Competes with grasses and lowers carrying capacity
• Can dominate degraded veld quickly

Should it be controlled?
✔ Yes, where it reduces grazing.
• Mechanical: Hand-pull or hoe before seed set.
• Chemical: Spot-spray with registered broadleaf herbicides.
• Management: Improve veld condition – rest camps, avoid overgrazing, maintain grass cover.

Indigenous or alien?
✔ Indigenous to South Africa, but becomes a problem species under poor management.

Important for farmers to know:
• A strong indicator of veld degradation and disturbance.
• Animals avoid it, so infestations can create “dead patches” of unused grazing.
• Best long-term control is healthy grass cover and correct grazing pressure.

12/01/2026

SENECIO INORNATUS
Gewone kruiskruid (Afr.), Swamp Ragwort (Eng.)

What it looks like:
An upright (30–100 cm tall), fast-growing w**d with soft green, long and serrated leaves and small yellow daisy-like flowers. Often forms dense patches after rain.

Where it is spreading:
Currently increasing across Highveld grasslands – especially Mpumalanga, Free State, Gauteng and North West. Proliferates in overgrazed camps, roadsides, old lands and disturbed veld after good summer rainfall.

Toxicity (especially to livestock):
⚠️ Highly poisonous to cattle, sheep and goats. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that cause irreversible liver damage. Poisoning is often slow and cumulative. Dry plants in hay remain toxic.

Impact on agriculture:
• Serious risk of stock losses
• Reduces grazing capacity and pasture quality
• Invades degraded veld rapidly

Should it be controlled?
✔ Yes – urgently in grazing areas.
• Mechanical: Pull or hoe out before flowering and seeding.
• Chemical: Spot-spray with registered broadleaf herbicides.
• Veld management: Prevent overgrazing, maintain good grass cover, and allow proper rest.

Indigenous or alien?
✔ Indigenous, but behaves as a dangerous problem plant under poor veld conditions.

Important for farmers to know:
• Animals usually avoid it when grazing is good, but will eat it during feed shortages.
• Symptoms often appear weeks or months later when liver damage is already severe.
• Dense outbreaks are a warning sign of veld degradation.

12/01/2026

CINERARIA LYRATIFORMIS
Boerelusern, Geel kruiskruid (Afr.), Wild Parsley (Eng.)

What it looks like:
A low-growing (20–50 cm tall), soft, grey-green plant with deeply lobed (“lyre-shaped”) leaves. Bright yellow daisy-like flowers appear in spring and early summer.

Where it is spreading:
Common across Highveld and Grassland areas of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, and parts of North West. Numbers increase strongly after good summer rains and veld disturbance.

Toxicity (especially to livestock):
⚠️ Poisonous to cattle, sheep and goats. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that damage the liver. Poisoning is often chronic – animals may only show symptoms weeks or months later. Dried plants in hay remain toxic.

Impact on agriculture:
• Reduces grazing quality
• Increases risk of livestock losses
• Spreads quickly on overgrazed or disturbed veld

Should it be controlled?
✔ Yes, especially in grazing camps.
• Mechanical: Hand-pull or hoe before flowering (remove roots).
• Chemical: Spot-spray with registered broadleaf herbicides.
• Management: Improve veld condition – avoid overgrazing, allow proper rest.

Indigenous or alien?
✔ Indigenous to South Africa, but becomes problematic under poor veld management.

Important for farmers to know:
• Animals usually avoid it when grazing is good, but eat it when feed is scarce.
• Dead or dry plants are still toxic in hay or silage.
• High numbers often indicate veld degradation and soil disturbance.

12/01/2026

THE YEAR OF THE YELLOW-FLOWERED WEEDS

Across large parts of South Africa, farmers and landowners have noticed a sudden explosion of three yellow-flowering w**ds: Cineraria lyratiformis, Senecio inornatus and Nidorella resedifolia. Many have raised concerns about their rapid spread on grazing land.

The sharp increase is likely linked to past veld management, current grazing pressure, soil disturbance, and recent rainfall patterns. These conditions favour fast-growing, opportunistic species.

How to tell them apart (quick ID):
• Cineraria lyratiformis: Low-growing (20-50cm tall), soft grey-green leaves, deeply lobed; neat yellow flowers.
• Senecio inornatus: More upright (30-100cm tall), green leaves, forms dense patches; yellow flowers; highly toxic to livestock.
• Nidorella resedifolia: 40-100cm tall, Strong smell, narrow grey-green leaves; yellow flowers; animals avoid it.

To help with identification, I’ve posted photos of each plant, as well as individual links to detailed posts on my page. Once you’ve identified the plant on your land, click the relevant link to read more about its risks, impact and control.

Need assistance?
TopVeld Veld Ecologist, which specialises in veld management (especially grasses), works together with Sekela Impilo Services, experts in alien invasive plant and erosion control. If you require professional assistance with the identification, management or control of problem plants on your farm, you are welcome to make use of our services.

Your turn:
Which of these plants are you seeing on your farm? Where are you based? And if you’re dealing with a different plant, share a photo here – I’ll gladly try to identify it for you.

09/01/2026

GRASS VIGOUR AFTER FIRE
These photographs were taken during a grass survey in the Ngodwana area, shortly after a veld fire (description of the grasses in the photos). The strong post-burn response is evident in the vigorous regrowth of the grasses, with most species currently in Phase 2 of growth - characterised by active vegetative development prior to flowering and seed set.

Together, these images illustrate the rapid recovery and strong regenerative capacity of grassland species after fire, highlighting the ecological importance of burning in maintaining veld health and stimulating productive growth prior to seed development.

24/12/2025

To all my Facebook followers.
Christmas is a reminder of God’s great gift to us. May the light of Christmas fill your hearts with peace, your home with joy, and your life with blessing. May 2026 overflow with prosperity and abundant grace for you.
Shobie

20/12/2025

KOELERIA CAPENSIS – commonly known as June grass (Polgras in Afrikaans) – is a neat, fine-textured perennial grass that is widespread across South Africa’s grassland, savanna and Karoo transition zones. Although it is often overlooked because of its modest size, it is a useful indicator species and a valuable early-season grazer.

For easy identification, June grass consists of the following features:
• It is a tufted perennial grass, usually growing 30–60 cm tall.
• LEAVES: Blade 40-200mm x 1-4mm; Narrow, flat to slightly inrolled, and often somewhat stiff. The leaves are typically grey-green to bluish-green and feel slightly rough when pulled between the fingers. Its ligule is a short membrane without hairs.
• CULMS (STEMS): Slender and erect, generally unbranched.
• INFLORESCENCE: One of the most distinctive features. The flowering head is a dense, spike-like panicle, cylindrical in shape, and compact. When young it is green, turning straw-coloured as it matures. From a distance it can resemble a short, narrow “brush”.
• SPIKELETS: Very small and tightly packed, giving the inflorescence its firm, tidy appearance.
These compact, cylindrical flower heads are often the easiest field clue for identification.

June grass’s grazing value is moderate. It is palatable when young, especially in early summer after good rainfall. As it matures, it becomes coarser and less preferred, but it is still grazed under moderate stocking rates. It responds reasonably well to rest and is commonly found in well-managed veld. While it is not a high-production grass, its presence contributes to basal cover and veld stability.

It is widely distributed and occurs in all provinces except the Northwest province. It is especially common in cooler grasslands, open slopes, rocky areas, and well-drained soils, from low to higher altitudes.

June grass is often an early flowering grass, making it noticeable at the start of the growing season. Its neat growth form and tolerance of cooler conditions make it a useful indicator of veld that has not been severely overgrazed.

It might be small in stature, but is important in balanced veld systems.