₦airaland Forum

Yesterday evening, I planted Super Napier pasture grass using a slight variation of the Tumbukiza method. The idea is to keep a continuous cycle going; harvest the mature grass, replant the stem cuttings in other new areas, and gradually expand the pasture over time. Napier grass also has excellent drought tolerance and quickly regrows once the rains return.

Super Napier is one of the best tropical forages a livestock farmer can grow. Under good management, it typically contains 12–18% crude protein, has high digestibility and is rich in energy, fiber, calcium and other essential minerals. It also produces a huge amount of biomass, making it an excellent choice for cut-and-carry feeding systems.

they will be 14 days old by tomorrow.
Nothing has been added up to this point. And giving the fact that super Napier are heavy feeder of soil nutrients especially during sprouting and early growth stage, I'm still monitoring and speculating on when to start feeding them with my organic liquid tea, as I have planted smart napier grass and Guatemala before and not this very napier variant grass, but I do sell and supply to farmhouses with bulk order of super Napier cuttings & others lol.

day 23: so far it seems we are able to get about 42% germination rate. I will take that as a win. Some cuttings that got no early sprouting action since these past few weeks have started to emerge beautifully. Saturday is another organic liquid tea day since napiers are heavy feeders.

Day 30: I'm already 30 days into my super napier grass trial on cured poultry manure.
growth's been solid so far, but now I'm looking at fine-tuning nutrients. Here's what's next:

Adding crushed, finely ground egg shells for a slow-release calcium boost.

Bringing in Epsom salt to keep magnesium levels up, well it would be important since poultry manure runs high in K, which can crowd out Mg uptake.

Watching the leaves for any yellowing between veins as a sign to adjust as I'm basically going for a more imaginative balanced Ca-Mg-K profile to support all that fast growth. Will update as the grass responds! Plz note: I'm working it as I sense and see fit to reach a desirable result because at the end of the harvest and while feeding my lactating ewe. I'm not just feeding her with some cut and carry grass, I will be feeding with grass fodders rich in Mg to prevent any possible sign of grass tetany disease. At least one should know where its problem is coming from when future mishap strikes.

Is this grass for livestock grazing

ghettochild:
Is this grass for livestock grazing

yes it is✅ not open grazing but a simple cut-and-carry feeding system

RKTexpert:
yes it is✅

Isn't that land too small for such?

Why not grow something else (like ginger) there instead?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwtOdrsMNF4?si=rIJIaPjRftEGV2s6

Mariangeles:
Isn't that land too small for such?

Why not grow something else (like ginger) there instead?

it is small indeed and napiers still growing with 39 days left before the first cutting, just enough to feed one pregnant female sheep only, she would also feed on it when she starts lactating. I care about her a lot.

Day 40.

Look at this lush growth; planted in rows and already thriving even in this tight backyard space. From small cuttings to this dense, healthy stand in just 40 days. Proof that with the right care, Super Napier really lives up to its reputation as a fast-growing, high-yield forage grass.

Are you excited to see how much taller it gets by the next update. Leave me some likes

Day 55

I have just fed my pregnant ewe the top leaves of my 55-day-old super napier grass; this is the sweet spot in between day 45 and 65 of still growing Napier leaves that mean more protein and energy for her.

Why you don't feed less than day 45 old napier grass should draw your attention to prussic acid and nitrates, which can build up in young, fast-growing Napier.

prussic acid and nitrate levels are typically much lower by day 55 compared to day 40, since the plant has matured past the highest-risk young growth stage.

Wilting the cut grass a few hours before feeding helps reduce the risk.
Introducing it gradually too.

Note: Napier grass can be fed to other micro livestock like rabbits & grasscutter

Is that the one we call elephant grass?


looks really similar.

sultaan:
Is that the one we call elephant grass?


looks really similar.

The real difference comes from breeding: super napier has been bred to grow more, have more leaves compared to stem, taste better to animals and pack more nutrition than regular elephant grass. But it's still the same plant at its core; same elephant grass family just a better-bred version.

Day 57:
It is a wrap..or should we continue with how these cut-offs would regrow quickly in 40 to +45 days time?

Super Napier regrowth update!

Just 4 days after the first cutting, the regrowth has started. Fresh shoots are pushing up from every stem, and the stubs are already sprouting again.
Good fodder for the ruminants, rabbits and grasscutter.

Just 19 days after the first harvest cutting, my Super Napier grass is already regrowing beautifully. Every cut is followed by fresh, vigorous tillers. If you're looking for a reliable, high-yield fodder for your micro-livestock, this pasture grass is the gem.

Day 24 of Napier Grass Regrowth:

Look at this lush comeback after the first harvest cuttings ✅ Just 24 days and it keeps giving back