INTRODUCTION
Most Nutritious Grass For Livestock
Brachiaria is a unique perennial native African grass. It is an important constituent of natural vegetation across sub-Saharan Africa. It consists of over 100 species but only four species are widely evaluated as cultivated pastures in tropical Africa. It is particularly suitable for areas with acid soil of low fertility, high temperature and long periods of drought during the summer.
ESTABLISHMENT / SOWING SOIL
Preparation
- Clear, Plow, burrow and thoroughly mix soil with well-cured manures
- In a case where the soil is low in phosphorous, it is advisable to apply triple super phosphate fertilizer
- Planting / Sowing Brachiaria can be planted from either the seeds or rooted tillers (plant shoots/ sucker) and stem with rooting nodes.
MAIN STRENGTHS
- 1. More meat and more milk of better quality
- 2. High nutritious biomass
- 3. Increase loading capacity
- 4. Excellent palatability and digestibility
- 5. Abundant foliar production and semi-prostrate growth habit
- 6. Resistance to disease and insects, especially bed bugs
- 7. Very good tolerance to drought and summer stress
WHAT CAN I FEED TO?
- 1. Cattle
- 2. Goat
- 3. Sheep
- 4. Grasscutters
- 5. Rabbits
- 6. Pigs
- 7. And so many more livestock
ESTABLISHMENT / SOWING
Soil Preparation
Planting by root splits:
- i. 1-2 tillers can be planted in each hole at a spacing of 50cm between rows and 50cm within rows.
- ii. Planting of rooted tillers should be performed between 24 to 48 hrs after uprooting.
- iii. Planting of rooted tillers should be done in the raining season or be irrigated for proper establishment.
Seeds
- i. Planting spacing should be 50cm by 50cm
- ii. Dig a whole of about 1-2 inches deep.
- iii. Place 3-4 seeds in each hole and cover it with soil.
- iv. Alternatively seeds can be first sown in nursery beds and seedlings transplanted to the main field in 6 to 8 weeks.
