Want a high-yield fodder crop for my dairy animals on limited land.
Which fodder crop gives the most green fodder for cattle?
KKishan Lal8mo ago · 205 views
5 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓7mo ago
For very high green fodder yield per acre, hybrid napier (such as CO-3, CO-4 or BN hybrids) and perennial napier-bajra hybrids are among the best, giving many cuttings a year once established. For seasonal high-protein fodder, multicut sorghum, maize and lucerne (alfalfa) are excellent; berseem is ideal for winter in north India and cowpea adds protein in the kharif season. The best plan is to grow a mix of a high-yield grass like napier plus a legume like lucerne or berseem so animals get both energy and protein. Choose varieties recommended by your KVK or State Agriculture University for your soil and irrigation. Always chaff-cut fodder to reduce wastage.
RRampal Yadav7mo ago
Hybrid napier gave me the most green fodder once it took root, and it keeps coming back after each cut for a couple of years. I plant napier along the bunds and grow berseem in winter for protein. The mix keeps my cows in good condition cheaply.
KKaran Singh6mo ago
Young sorghum can carry a risk of prussic acid poisoning, so I never graze or cut it too early, especially after drought or stress. Let it reach a safe height as advised locally. A bit of caution there avoided a serious loss.
BBhola Ram6mo ago
On limited land, irrigation decides your real yield more than the variety name. Napier needs water to give those big cuts. Where water is short I do better with quick legumes like cowpea than chasing a heavy grass it cannot support.
SSushila Devi5mo ago
Chaff-cutting changed how far my fodder goes. Animals waste a lot when fed long stalks but eat almost everything when it is cut small and mixed. The same area of napier fed more animals once I stopped feeding it whole.