EXCELLENT STOCK FARM - WILLOWMORE (F 29)

This excellent stock farm has been a family farm for four generations, the Title Deeds dating back to 1893. The property consists of two portions each 3410,8246 ha with a total extent of 6821,6492 ha and farmed as a single unit.

The excellent farm roads of many kilometers give access to all corners of the farm. Extensive soil conservation works, namely weirs, rows of Agaves and areas of drought resistant fodder crops such as Old Man Salt Bush have been established.

Since 1945 the farm has been conservatively farmed at a light stocking rate of 1:27 Lsu. A rotational grazing system was implemented in 1960 under the guidance of Dr John Acocks and Dr P.W. Roux. A three group-camp and four group-camp system was run simultaneously until 1980 when a change was made to a single three group-camp system and water course management was implemented due to the fact that the veldt had improved and rehabilitated magnificently. The farm is currently stocked at a rate of 1:18 Lsu or 1:3 Ha Ssu

The veldt at present is well preserved and is in pristine condition. Four biomes have been identified. The land ranges from sweet thorn river beds, broken thorn veldt, to Karroo flats and apron veldt into wooded mountain slopes. It lies in an east - west running valley and has both north and south facing slopes. The different aspects of the farm lead to a good distribution of grazing types and provide excellent summer and winter grazing. Dr Acocks identified 220 different species of bush on the farm in one visit to the farm.

The farm has vast open flats that roll into sloping hills with valleys that are well sheltered from the elements and provide good cover for resident animals and livestock. These slopes have good ground cover of palatable plant species, shrubs, trees and climax grasses. Thorn trees grow along all the dry river beds and drainage gullies providing good browse and shading good grass grazing.

Vegetation found in the two Biome groups would typically include the following Trees, Shrubs, Plants and Grass: Riverine and Flat Veldt

1. TREES - Thorn Tree – Acacia Karroo; Karee - Rhuss;

Bloubos Boom - Diospyros

2. SHRUBS - Pomegranate - Rhigozum; Noem Noem – Carissa;

Swartstorm – Thesium; Beesganna – Salsolas.

3. BUSHES - Karroo Bush – Pentzias; Vygies – Eberlanzias;

Bokkosvy - Senecios; Bloublommetjie – Asters;

Waterfinder – Walafridas; Pleisterbos – Hermannias;

Koggelmandervoet - Limeum; etc.

4. GRASS - Thimble grass - Fingerhuthia; Love grass - Eragrostis;

Bristle grass – Setaria; Tall & Short Bushman grass - Stiptagrostis; Buffalo grass - Panicum;

Apron and Rante Veldt:

1. TREES - Boerboon – Schotia; Guarrie – Euclea;

Witgat – Boschia; Wild Plum – Pappea.

2. SHRUBS - Spekboom – Portulacaria; Kruisbessie – Grewia;

Star apple – Diospyros; Noors – Euphorbias;

3. BUSHES - Spekbos – Zygohyllum; Kapokbos – Eriocephalus;

Bietou – Osteospermum; Skaapertjie – Polygalas etc.

4. GRASS – Buffalograss – Cenchus; Bushveld dropseed –

Sporobolus; Finger grass - Digitaria; Rooigras - Themeda.

This farm has an above average carrying capacity estimated at 1ssu to 3 ha. Official carrying capacity is 1Lsu to 18ha. Being disease free and in a pristine environment this farm is an ideal stock farm or could be converted into a private game reserve or hunting farm.

There is strong underground water with well distributed water points throughout the farm. An annual rainfall of 250mm of rain is all that is needed to sustain the vegetation and provide a fodder bank for animals to maintain a high production and reproduction rate.

To summarize, this property has the potential to be an awesome stock or wildlife ranch with the benefits of wide open spaces and the tranquility of the Great Karroo. With magnificent vistas and views and numerous potential lodge sites this farm stands alone in this area as a high value good production unit.