Veld condition and supplementary feeding

Autumn and early winter are seasons where animals are building up fat reserves for the winter season where food is less available. It is the period where the veld looks pale, dry, dusty, and in some cases black from being burned. The areas where the animals are likely to hang around become like desserts, bare dry ground with plenty of dust.

This is also the harshest time for us, as we need to feed more to supplement the shortage of natural grazing and browsing to keep animals from losing condition due to having to eat lower grade nutrition and to keep the badly affected graze areas from becoming worse. Supplementary feeding has been adjusted as the season has changed. Daily feeding continues during the harsh winter months but reduces as we move into the summer months. A total of six feeding locations that are spread out accommodates the variety of species on the estate.