Table of Contents
Is Rhodes grass hay good for cattle?
Australian Premium Seeds Rhodes grass breeder Dr Don Loch, pictured in a breeding block at Gatton in Queensland, says newer varieties of Rhodes grass are preferred by cattle because of their leafiness and fewer seed heads in the pasture compared with older varieties.
How long does it take for Boma Rhodes to germinate?
Seeds germinate in 1-7 days and seedlings develop rapidly. Apply fertilizer or manure during planting to promote strong root development.
How do you trim Rhodes grass?
Finecut Rhodes Grass produces its best yields and best quality hay when cut at 10% seed head emergence and with a minimum cutting height of 4 inches. This keeps the grass in an active, vegetative growth pattern and ensure yields are maximised.
How much water does Rhodes grass need?
1–4 kg/ha. (summer dominant) 500 mm….Rhodes grass.
| Varieties/brand | Main Seed Source |
|---|---|
| Topcut | Selected Seeds P |
| Finecut | Selected Seeds P |
| Nemkat | Seedmark/PlantTech P |
| Very late flowering tetraploid |
How long does Boma Rhodes take to mature?
between 90-105 days
Boma Rhode hay grows well in well drained fertile soils with less acid. Soils with PH value of 5.5-6 and annual rainfall of at least 800mm is recommended. Boma Rhodes take between 90-105 days to mature.
How do you prepare land for planting Boma Rhodes?
Mix grass seed thoroughly with a carrier (sand, soil, sawdust, or manure). Plant in shallow furrows50cm apart by drilling, cover seeds lightly with soil. Seed rate is 5kg per ha. For better establishment plant at the beginning of long rains in coastal Kenya or short rains (September October) in eastern Kenya.
Can sheep eat Rhodes grass?
In general tropical grasses tend to be not as well suited to sheep as temperate grasses, however there are some species including kikuyu, paspalum, rhodes, and digit grass that when well managed, can be useful.
Should you seed before or after rain?
In general, it is best to sow grass seed before it rains, as is easier to work dry soil and rake the grass seed into it. Mulching can help keep the seed bed moist throughout the germination and early growth period. Sowing seed after it rains is not only a messy endeavor, but walking on mud can compact the soil.
How does Rhodes grass spread?
Spreads readily by runners. Useful for erosion control because of strong runner (stolon) growth and a vigorous root system. Useful also in controlling spiny burr grass.
How many kg is Boma Rhodes per acre?
Firmness – Very firm and Compact. Plant Spacing (cm) 60×60. Seed rate/acre (Kgs) 0.1.
Can you water grass seed too much?
Watering too much can shift the soil, especially once it becomes saturated. As the water evaporates or is absorbed by the ground, the redistributed soil will settle elsewhere. This can bury grass seeds and newly sprouted grass, cutting them off from sunlight and slowing or stopping their growth.
What are the limitations of Rhodes grass hay?
Another limitation of mature Rhodes grass hay is its low protein content, particularly during the dry season. Several trials have shown that supplementation with a protein-rich source resulted in higher animal performance ( Mtenga et al., 1990 ; Mupangwa et al., 2000 ; Osuga et al., 2012 ).
Is Rhodes grass hay better than Cenchrus ciliaris in Tanzania?
In Tanzania, in Blackhead Persian rams, the intake of Rhodes grass hay harvested at 6 or 10 weeks of regrowth was 20% lower than that of Cenchrus ciliaris and Panicum coloratum, even though the in vivo OM digestibility of the hays were comparable.
What are the adaptations of Rhodes grasses?
Rhodes grass does not tolerate drought or flooding well and is best adapted to areas where annual rainfall exceeds 600 mm. It is only moderately tolerant of frost, but tolerant of salinity and cool burning.
Is Rhodes grass the same as pioneer grass?
Pioneer, also known as commercial Rhodes grass, is an early-flowering, erect plant with moderate leafiness. Because it will run to flower quickly throughout the growing season, its feed quality drops quickly. Pioneer has been superseded by Katambora.