Forage grasses to grow for your dairy cattle
By David Njenga
Cultivating forage crops on the farm is a cost-effective approach for feeding dairy cattle as feeding cost constitute about 70-80% of the cost of production. There are different varieties of fodder crops and this article focuses on grasses that farmers can grow highlighting optimal conditions, planting procedure and management practices.
The first step of establishing fodder on the farm is land preparation. You need to have decided on the type of fodder crop you would like to plant before preparing the land for planting, or the seed bed.
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Land/seed bed preparation
- Plough/dig the land to a fine tilth. Ploughing can be done using tractor, oxen, donkeys etc. Avoid burning the crop residue as this affects the ecosystem balance in the soil. Crop residual helps to improve soil aeration and humus, creating a good balance of soil pH, mineral availability and water holding capacity of the soil.
- Harrow severally if necessary. This depends on the size of the seed to be established; smaller seeds (Lucerne, Desmodium) require finer tilth while bigger seeds, splits and cuttings require moderately prepared seedbed.
- Dry planting is recommended for seeds while wet planting is done for cuttings/splits.
Seeds planting depth should be more than 1cm and less than 1.5cm for smaller seeded fodder crops. Lightly compact soil after planting to enhance seed to soil contact.
The source of seed is key for better performance of fodder crop resulting to higher yield. Always use certified fodder planting material. The seeds establishment can be done through broadcasting or direct sowing at the recommended seeding rate.
Methods of seed sowing
- Broadcasting – Is a systematic spreading of seeds on a seedbed and light covering with soil. This is common with grasses example Boma Rhodes.
- Drilling – Placing of seeds in shallow rows and covering with soil. Common practice for legumes and forage sorghum.
- Direct sowing- Establishing a pure stand of pasture without any other crop in the field.
- Under sowing– Establishing pastures in a field with already existing crops.
- Over sowing – Introduction of improved pasture species (grasses or legumes) to a natural pasture.
The table below shows the material and method of planting for various fodder.
| Grasses | Planting material | Mode of planting | Seed rate |
| Napier | Cuttings (3 nodes) | Row planting 90 by 60cm | 18,750 cuttings /Ha |
| Napier | Root splits | Row planting 90 by 60cm | 18,750 Splits/Ha |
| Napier | Cuttings (3 nodes) | Tumbukiza 60 by 60cm | 28,000 cuttings/Ha |
| Brachiaria | Seeds/ splits | Drill/ holes 25 by 50cm | 2-3 Kgs/Ha |
| Maize | Seeds | Drill / holes | 25Kgs/Ha |
| Seteria grass | Seeds/splits | Broadcasting/Drilling | 12 Kg/ Ha |
| Guinea grass | Seeds/splits | Broadcasting/Drilling | 2-3 Kg/Ha |
| Cechrus ciliaris | Seeds/sprits | Broadcasting/Drilling | 1-2 Kgs/Ha |
| Guatemala | Sprits | Holes space at 90 x 60cm | 18,750 Splits/Ha |
| Oats | Seeds | Broadcasting/Drilling | 75-100 Kgs/Ha |
| Kikuyu grass | Stolons/ Seed/splits | Drilling/Broadcasting | 1 – 2 Kg/ Ha |
| Rhodes | Seeds | Broadcasting/Drilling | 5Kg/Ha |
| Sorghum | Seed | Fodder: Drill at 75 x 10 cm, | 6–8 Kg/Ha |
Types of Forage grasses
As already enlisted in the table above, forage crops include grasses and legumes. Feed unavailability is a major challenge to livestock production especially in the Kenyan ASALs due to extensive land degradation. Five grass species, Rhodes grass, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris roxburghiana, Eragrostis superba and Enteropogon macrostachyus have been identified as good grasses for forage production and have been promoted for hay production and rehabilitation of degraded rangelands.
This article focuses on establishment and management practices of three most common types of grasses in various parts of Kenya: Rhodes grass, Kikuyu grass and Napier grass. Bracharia grass has also gradually gained popularity and more information on it can be found in Issue 187 of TOF (https://www.infonet-biovision.org/tof-issue-no-187-february-2021).
(i) Rhodes grass
Rhodes grass is the most important pasture grass in Kenya due to its ease in establishment and management. First you need to prepare a good seedbed by ploughing and harrowing twice for virgin lands. On a previously cropped land you will need to plough and harrow just once before the beginning of the long rains.
Sowing should be done very early, usually in April, so that weeds do not overtake the germinating seeds. Others prefer to sow during the short rains to take care of weeds. Drilling is preferred because it ensures that the seeds are buried and distributed uniformly and others are not left on the surface to dry as in broadcasting. The seeds are first pelleted for them to flow readily during drilling, which is done at a rate of 0.5-1 kg/ha in rows 30 – 40 cm apart.
The seed is best sown on the surface not deeper than 2 cm followed by rolling. For broadcasting, the seed is best mixed with sawdust or sand. Seeds germinate in 1-7 days and seedlings develop rapidly.
Apply manure during planting to promote strong root development. Broadcast manure at 10 ton/ha and harrow before planting.
(ii) KIKUYU GRASS – Pennisetum clandestinum
A perennial high quality grass. It spreads vigorously from rhizomes and stolons which root at the nodes. It is drought tolerant because of its deep root system and occurs naturally mainly on deep fertile soil. To establish it, hand planting of vegetative stems and root cuttings is common but can also be established through seeds on seed beds with a fine soil tilth.
Planting Kikuyu grass
Plant seeds to a depth of not more than 5cm and roll the soil for good soil seed contact. Root splits are planted attached on stamps of soil for quick root establishment at the onset of rains.
The Kikuyu grass yields about 5-6 tons of DM/acre per year. It remains evergreen throughout the year maintains palatability and can withstand heavy grazing.
(iii) Napier grass
Napier grass is arobust perennial grass with vigorous root system, characterized by a creeping rhizome. It prefers deep, fertile friable loam soils and grows best in high rainfall areas 1500 mm and above /year.It formsthe basic feed for dairy cows. Napier grass can be ensiled, but it is not good for hay.Below are varieties of Napier grass and their attributes.
| Variety | Attributes |
| Kakamega 1 and 2 | Both varieties are tolerant to Napier grass head smut and stunting disease. |
| Pakistan hybrid-Super nappier | Suitable for dry areas. Very prolific. |
| Uganda hairless | Highly susceptible to smut and stunting disease |
| Ouma | Tissue culture, resistant to smut and stunting disease |
| South Africa | Tissue culture, resistant to smut and stunting disease |
Nappier Grass management practices
Apply 5 Tons/Ha farmyard manure at planting, 60 Kgs of slurry, in furrows after cuttings. Ensure your Napier crop is free from unwanted plants (weeds) for reduced nutrient competition and better yield. Always cut Napier at a height of 1.5m for maximized nutrition and improved yield.
Avoid grazing on new stand during wet periods, test for root development and do not graze lower than 6-10cm. Grazing is not reccommended but in case you are grazing, ensure to graze only when the soil surface is firm and dry and implement rotational grazing. Rest the pastures for a period of 24-30 days.
Yields expectation from grass forage
Income from grass farming depends on how effectively you manage the pasture stand. The most important is weed control. Grazing should not be allowed as this will deplete the crop. While the numerous fungi and nematodes have been isolated from the grass, they rarely have any economic impact. Control the weeds during the first year by hand weeding. In subsequent years, keep fields clean by slashing, hand pulling or mowing of weeds.
During the establishment year, soil nitrogen is adequate for grass productivity. Additional nutrients in the form of organic fertilizer or farmyard manure are required in subsequent seasons. Top dress grass with 5-10 tons of farmyard manure.
Yield per hectare range is 400 to 650 bales of 15kg/bale for each season and usually harvest is done twice per year. Of importance is Dry Matter (DM) yields which generally range from about 10-25 t/ha, depending on soil fertility, environmental conditions, and cutting frequency. Yields in the second year may be double those of the establishment year, but this also depends on management and environmental conditions. Yields of 35-60 t/ha DM are reported under optimal management.
Soil PH requirement for various forage crops
| Soil Condition | Fodder crop |
| Acidic | Sesbania, Lab lab, Rhodes, Maize, |
| Slightly Acidic/ Neutral | Tree Lucerne, Maize, |
| Non-Acidic / Slightly acidic | Calliandra, Gliricidia |
| Alkaline | Sesbania, Rhodes |
| Neutral – Alkaline | Leucaena, Lucerne, Napier, Seteria, Oats, Vetch |
| Non-Alkaline | Desmodium, |
In the next edition we feature a comprehensive article on growing legumes for fodder. For more information on fodder crops visit: https://www.infonet-biovision.org/fodder-production/fodder-productionDavid Njenga is a fodder expert at Advanta Seeds. Email: njengadg2016@gm