By Lynette Simango
When it comes to livestock production in Zimbabwe, a hectare can not accommodate more than 5 heads of cattle because of poor veld. However, this shouldn’t deter the farmer from pursuing the livestock business route as they are sustainable measures one can take to counter that problem e.g growing pastures.
Pasture supplement the natural veld. They should be planted in paddocks and grazed/cut on rotational basis. Below is a list of pastures to consider, their recommended rates per hectare and also prices from Pasture Seeds Pvt Limited company👇
Reclaimer Rhodes Grass seed $10/kg recommended Planting rate 15kg/ha
Perrenial rye grass $12/kg recommend planting rate 20kg/ha
Giant Rhodes $13/kg recommended Planting rate 15kg/ha
Katambora $15/kg recommended Planting rate 20kg/ha, cheaper grades available for just grazing $10 or waterways $8 etc
Kikuyu $40/kg recommended Planting rate 9 kg/ha
Sunhemp seed $5/kg recommended Planting rate 20kg/ha
Forage sorghum seed $5/kg recommended Planting rate 20kg/ha
Perrenial lucerne seed $17/kg recommended Planting rate 20kg/ha
Panicum maximum $15/kg recommended Planting rate 20kg/ha
Velvet bean seeds $3/kg recommended Planting rate 20kg/ha
Luecanea seedlings $0.50 each
Black oats $5/kg recommended Planting rate 20kg per ha
Sunflower seed $3/kg recommended Planting rate 10kg per ha
Lab lab $5/kg recommended Planting rate 17kg per ha
Brachiaria grass seedlings 10cents per cutting recommended 10 000 cuttings per ha
Bana grass cuttings 0.08 cents per cutting recommended 15 000 cuttings per ha
You want to grow pastures this season? Let’s talk on +263784309730