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Harvesting, Utilization & Conservation
Harvesting, Utilization & Conservation
Harvesting, Utilization & Conservation
Harvesting
The first cutting is expected 3 – 4 months after planting (when at one meter high).
At first harvesting it is recommended that the cutting be done at a height of 5 cm from the soil/ground. This is to allow for more growth of new
shoots.
Cutting intervals usually depend on rainfall availability and the level of management.
Expected yield is 20,000 to 40,000 kg of fresh Napier per acre. Note the yield depends of the level of management.
Utilization
Napier grass is fed under the cut and curry system.
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9/27/2018 Harvesting, Utilization & Conservation
Freshly cut Napier grass is left to wilt for a period of 12 hours under shade before chopping is done.
Requirements for a dairy cow of average live weight of 400 kg should be given about 60 kgs of fresh chopped Napier grass per day.
1. Trench silo
2. Pit silo
3. Above ground – Tower
4. Tube silo
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The commonly used methods by most small scale dairy farmers are the trench and tube silo
Tube Silo
Requirements
1. 1 gunny bag full of Napier grass is chopped to length of about 2.5 cm using a chaff cutter or panga.
2. A watering can
3. 1 kg of molasses
4. 3 kg of water measured in the same way bas molasses
5. A shovel
6. A giant polythene bag or tube tied with sisal twine at one end.
Procedure
Trench Silo
Excavate a trench (Dimensions 3 m by 5.3 m by 1 m for the deep side; enough to accommodate 8 tons of silage).
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Consumption per cow per day is 45 kgs per day. Therefore 8 tons of ensiled material can feed a 400 kg cow for 170 days.
Lay the polythene materials on the side of the trench
Cut the fodder material into pieces of 2.5 – 5 cm length.
Empty twenty two gunny bags of chopped material into the silo and spread evenly.
Mix half to three quarters jerrican of molasses with two to three jerricans of water and evenly sprinkle on the chopped material in the silo.
After sprinkling compact adequately with a drum filled with water.
Continue the process until the pit is full and doom shaped.
Cover the chopped material with a polythene sheet then cover with soil of at least 1 feet (30 cm) thickness to further compress the material.
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