Abstract
Abstract Desmodium intortum is well suited to the East London Coastal area for beef production under dryland conditions. Although slow to establish, satisfactory livestock production is maintained under a low fertilizer regime. Experimental results indicate stocking rates for maximum production per animal and per hectare of 0,8 and 8,2 steers (250 kg)/ha respectively. A cost comparison between a highly fertilized Star grass pasture and a Desmodium pasture show that, while the gross margins at current beef prices favour Star grass (R2 882 and R2 052/ha/yr respectively), the returns per rand capital expenditure differ significantly (R2,29 and R10,01 respectively) in favour of Desmodium.
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