How to Grow Brachiaria Grass for Your Livestock

By Brenda Okumu

Brachiaria is one of the most important tropical grasses and is widely distributed in eastern and central Africa. It is an emerging forage option for livestock production in Kenya and East Africa. Due to its high above ground biomass and nutritive quality than local grass it offers livestock farmers a viable option to complement existing grasses.

Where to grow Brachiaria grass

Brachiaria grass does well in a wide range of climatic conditions in Kenya. It is productive in areas with annual rainfall of above 700 mm and mean temperatures exceeding 19°C. It requires well-drained deep soils.

Seven Brachiaria varieties are grown in Kenya. These are, Mulato II, Cayman, Cobra, Piata, Xaraes, MG-4 and Basilisk. These varieties are relatively new forage to farmers and therefore, information on establishment and management is lacking.

Establishment

Brachiaria can be grown from seed or vegetatively propagated from root splits.

Seeds of Mulato II, Cayman and Cobra are available locally in the market. Buy viable seeds from reputable dealers. Many farmers have been conned by unscrupulous merchants who claim to produce seeds on their farms. Small quantities of seeds for Xaraes, Piata, MG-4 and Basilisk can be obtained from Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). (Contact no. 0722 206 986/ 0722 206 988for more information).

Seeds: For large quantity of seeds, plant directly in the field. Drill the seeds in a well-prepared land in furrows of about 1 cm deep at a spacing of 50 cm between the furrows. Cover the seeds lightly with soil using tree branches.

If only small quantity of seeds is available, establish a nursery to minimize loss. Prepare a nursery bed with good tilth. Raise the bed so that it is not waterlogged. Make furrows of about 1 cm deep and space at 5 cm from one furrow to the next. Plant the seeds evenly in the furrows and cover lightly with soil. Water regularly. Erect a shade or use mulch with dry grass to prevent direct sunlight on the bed and the young seedlings. Remove the mulch after the seeds emerge from the soil. This is after 5-7 days.

The seedlings are ready for transplanting after 8 – 10 weeks. Plough and harrow the land during the dry season and plant at the onset of rains.

Root splits: It is the best option to establish the grass when seeds are not available. Get the splits from an established Brachiaria stand. Make sure the splits have roots and the tillers are actively growing. Use a spacing of 20 -30 cm between plants and 50 cm between rows. Plant at the onset of rains or irrigate during the dry season.

 

Brachiaria can be planted either as pure-stand or intercropped with forage legumes such as Desmodium and Lucerne which contain high protein for livestock.

Brachiaria produces a lot of foliage, which suppresses weeds when well established. However, farmers should scout and control weeds manually during the establishment period and after every grass harvesting.

 

Pests and diseases

 

The major pests that infest Brachiaria are the red spider mites and the sorghum shoot fly. Red spider mites are more common during the dry season when plants are stressed due to lack of moisture. Well-watered and manured soils give rise to vigorous, healthy plants that withstand disease and pest infestation. The most common diseases of Brachiaria grass are leaf rust, leaf spot and leaf blight. To avoid introducing pest and diseases in your farm, ensure that you source planting material that are healthy.  

 

Harvest and utilization

 

Brachiaria takes about 3 – 4 months to be ready for first harvest after planting. Subsequent harvests can be made after every 8 – 10 weeks depending on climatic conditions and management. The green forage can be harvested either for cut-and-carry feeding system or grazed in the field. It can also be preserved as hay or silage for feeding during the dry season. For hay, harvest the grass and leave it in the field to dry for 3 – 4 days before baling or storing. Good management of the grass on the farm is essential in order to obtain high yields. During harvesting the grass should but cut at about 5 cm above the ground using sickle or machete. This way, it will take a shorter time to regenerate. Ensure you weed, manure, and water adequately after every harvest.

Feed Brachiaria to dairy and beef animals, sheep and goats as hay, and rabbits as fresh green forage.

Benefits of Brachiaria grass to livestock:

• Produces high forage biomass.
• Has high crude protein content.
• Is pest and disease resistant.
• It is drought tolerant.
• It establishes easily.
• Regenerates within a short time.

 

By Brenda Okumu

Brachiaria is one of the most important tropical grasses and is widely distributed in eastern and central Africa. It is an emerging forage option for livestock production in Kenya and East Africa. Due to its high above ground biomass and nutritive quality than local grass it offers livestock farmers a viable option to complement existing grasses.

Where to grow Brachiaria grass

Brachiaria grass does well in a wide range of climatic conditions in Kenya. It is productive in areas with annual rainfall of above 700 mm and mean temperatures exceeding 19°C. It requires well-drained deep soils.

Seven Brachiaria varieties are grown in Kenya. These are, Mulato II, Cayman, Cobra, Piata, Xaraes, MG-4 and Basilisk. These varieties are relatively new forage to farmers and therefore, information on establishment and management is lacking.

Establishment

Brachiaria can be grown from seed or vegetatively propagated from root splits.

Seeds of Mulato II, Cayman and Cobra are available locally in the market. Buy viable seeds from reputable dealers. Many farmers have been conned by unscrupulous merchants who claim to produce seeds on their farms. Small quantities of seeds for Xaraes, Piata, MG-4 and Basilisk can be obtained from Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). (Contact no. 0722 206 986/ 0722 206 988for more information).

Seeds: For large quantity of seeds, plant directly in the field. Drill the seeds in a well-prepared land in furrows of about 1 cm deep at a spacing of 50 cm between the furrows. Cover the seeds lightly with soil using tree branches.

If only small quantity of seeds is available, establish a nursery to minimize loss. Prepare a nursery bed with good tilth. Raise the bed so that it is not waterlogged. Make furrows of about 1 cm deep and space at 5 cm from one furrow to the next. Plant the seeds evenly in the furrows and cover lightly with soil. Water regularly. Erect a shade or use mulch with dry grass to prevent direct sunlight on the bed and the young seedlings. Remove the mulch after the seeds emerge from the soil. This is after 5-7 days.

The seedlings are ready for transplanting after 8 – 10 weeks. Plough and harrow the land during the dry season and plant at the onset of rains.

Root splits: It is the best option to establish the grass when seeds are not available. Get the splits from an established Brachiaria stand. Make sure the splits have roots and the tillers are actively growing. Use a spacing of 20 -30 cm between plants and 50 cm between rows. Plant at the onset of rains or irrigate during the dry season.

 

Brachiaria can be planted either as pure-stand or intercropped with forage legumes such as Desmodium and Lucerne which contain high protein for livestock.

Brachiaria produces a lot of foliage, which suppresses weeds when well established. However, farmers should scout and control weeds manually during the establishment period and after every grass harvesting.

 

Pests and diseases

 

The major pests that infest Brachiaria are the red spider mites and the sorghum shoot fly. Red spider mites are more common during the dry season when plants are stressed due to lack of moisture. Well-watered and manured soils give rise to vigorous, healthy plants that withstand disease and pest infestation. The most common diseases of Brachiaria grass are leaf rust, leaf spot and leaf blight. To avoid introducing pest and diseases in your farm, ensure that you source planting material that are healthy.  

 

Harvest and utilization

 

Brachiaria takes about 3 – 4 months to be ready for first harvest after planting. Subsequent harvests can be made after every 8 – 10 weeks depending on climatic conditions and management. The green forage can be harvested either for cut-and-carry feeding system or grazed in the field. It can also be preserved as hay or silage for feeding during the dry season. For hay, harvest the grass and leave it in the field to dry for 3 – 4 days before baling or storing. Good management of the grass on the farm is essential in order to obtain high yields. During harvesting the grass should but cut at about 5 cm above the ground using sickle or machete. This way, it will take a shorter time to regenerate. Ensure you weed, manure, and water adequately after every harvest.

Feed Brachiaria to dairy and beef animals, sheep and goats as hay, and rabbits as fresh green forage.

Benefits of Brachiaria grass to livestock:

• Produces high forage biomass.
• Has high crude protein content.
• Is pest and disease resistant.
• It is drought tolerant.
• It establishes easily.
• Regenerates within a short time.