Product Description
Kikuyu grass is an aggressive and vigorous perennial that spreads by surface and underground stolons. The plant normally forms a dense mat of stolons and stems. The soft stems grow relatively upright and produce a high number of leaves relative to other grasses. Kikuyu is capable of high summer growth but milk production
can be limited by its relatively low quality. Thus, to maximise production per cow and per hectare, it is essential to maximise the quality of the pasture consumed by the cows. Grazing at the 4.5 leaf stage provides the highest proportion of leaf and the highest quality grass for cow consumption. Grazing past this stage increases the stem growth and that stem fraction accumulates with each grazing.
To provide winter-spring forage kikuyu is commonly oversown each autumn with annual Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) or less commonly, Oats (Avena sativa), Brassica (Brassica spp) or White Clover (Trifol um repens). A smooth transition from the summer kikuyu phase to the winter forage at both the establishment and heading of the annual forage is essential. The recommended seeding rate for kikuyu is 2- 5kg/ha of pure seed, which should be planted in a well prepared field under favourable conditions of adequate moisture and soil fertility.
Product Information
- Aggressive and vigorous perennial
- Plant forms a dense mat of stolons and stems
- High number of leaves
- High summer growth
- Min soil temp between 16 – 18°C for germination
- Seeding rate 60kg/ha and 6g/m² (coated)
- Plant depth 1.2cm (coated)
- Prepare an even and weed-free seedbed
- Frequent irrigation
- Compacting/rolling after seeding recommended
- Fertilize according to a soil analysis report
- Never remove more than a third of leaf blade when mowing
