DIET OF FREE-RANGING ANGORA-GOATS IN A FALSE UPPER KAROO VELD TYPE

The diet of free ranging Angora goats in a False Upper Karoo veld type in the south-western Orange Free State is described. Angora goats are inherent browsers feeding on a wide variety of plants. Based on utili zation frequency and feeding duration, six shrub and/or tree species, namely Melolobium calycinum, Olea europaea, Protasparagus sp., Rhus bu rchellii, R. ciliata and Tarchonanthus camphoratus, constitute approxi mately two-thirds of their diet. Compared with ewes and kids, castrate d males and rams utilized O. europaea and R. burchellii to a greater e xtent. Based on utilization frequency, grasses are utilized mainly dur ing the wet season and leaves of woody plant species during the dry se ason. For the optimal utilization of the available vegetation the judi cious, simultaneous use of goats and sheep in Karroid foraging systems of the south-western Free State is recommended. As a consequence of t heir feeding behaviour Angora goats can potentially play an important role in an integrated control system against the Karoo paralysis tick.