Humidtropics integrated feed solution possibilities for Mekong AA

Humidtropics integrated feed solution possibilities for Mekong AA

Name of the technology or strategy: Types of production systems for which it is most suitable: Nature of the integration and potential benefits: Potential limitations to the technology (economic, biophysical, availability, management skills, trade-offs, etc): Projects or sites/countries where it is or has been applied (if known): References Integration of Arachis pintoi as a feed source for different livestock species in the context of conservation agriculture in acid sloping lands and smallholders environment. As component of conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS), ICRAF research site in Claveria, Philippines showcased the evaluation of the herbaceous legume Arachis pintoi in terms of biomass yield and potential as green feed for different livestock species. Arachis is grown in trials under a number of other species including rubber, cacao trees and maize and fed as cut-and-carry for crossbreed pigs (which were fed Arachis 25% of overall feed weight), native chickens and ducks (voracious of the Arachis fresh yellow flowers), fattening cattle, carabao and tilapia. In promotion of conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS), integration of forage grasses and legumes as feed sources for livestock is designed to take into account the environmental and economic conditions of upland areas and smallholders farming community in the Philippines. ICRAF Claveria has considered integration of Arachis pintoi as mulching and crop cover in Conservation Agriculture with Trees (CAwT) and Rubber Agroforestry System (RAS) on slo pes. A.pintoi is seen as technologically-feasible and viable component for CAPS because of its ability to grow in heavy shade while fixing N in soil, stoloniferous growth habit for reducing soil erosion, and high forage quality and acceptability for livestock feeding. This promising forage species can improve economic benefits and restore the lost productive capacity of degraded lands, create new opportunities for greater and more diversified production system which enhance utility and profitability of the sloping agricultural systems. 1 Simultaneous integration of Arachis pintoi into CAPS as cover crop reduce soil structural damages and maintain soil cover throughout the year which reduce soil erosion, increase water infiltration, reduce weed pressures and provides nitrogen and renders phosphorus available to the associated crops 2. While feeding different livestock species increases farm agri-diversity as well as increase feed availability, reduce feed cost and provide food, draft power, manure and additional income to the farmers. With a number of potential benefits of forage legume and livestock integration as component of CAPS, problems in adoption of A.pintoi as alternative forage have also been mentioned in some literatures as follow: establishment and maintenance is complex due to lack of aggressiveness as it easily disappear when mixed with grasses and slow growth allows weeds to proliferate; broad-leaf weed control would prove difficult; would not tolerate rainfall; and expensive due to the cost of seed and elaborate planting techniques. 3 In terms of ease in feeding, A.pintoi is mostly too low-growing for cut-and-carry and harvesting noted to be difficult and laborious. ICRAF Claveria research site however are still to confirm potentials and limitations of A.pintoi in terms of improvement in production, management and economics of feeding practice. ICRAF- Philippines, Claveria Research Site, Misamis Oriental, Philippines: Site elevation ranges from 450 to 1200 meters above sea level. Farm sizes range from 0.25 to 5.0 ha, averaging 2.0 ha. Landscape is derived from pyroclastic materials. Soils are deep, fine mixed isohyperthermic Ultic Haplorthox. Soils are acidic with ph ranges from 4.2 to 5.2. Rainfall is 2500 mm well distributed throughout the year. 2 1 Agriculture Monthly Volume XVI August 2012. Available online: http://trc.dost.gov.ph/trcfile/technology- Snapshots/Agri-Aquaculture/adlai0001.pdf 2 Agustin R. Mercado; Conservation Agriculture with Trees (CAwT): Enhancing Agroforestry Economic Benefits and Environmental Services; Presentation @ Reward for Environmental Services (RES) Forum in Mindanao. World Agroforestry Centre Claveria Research Site, MOSCAT Campus, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, 9004 Philippines; Available online: crsps.net/wp-content/downloads/...14/11-2011-5-110.ppt 3 Wunscher, et al. 2004. Early adoption of the tropical forage legume Arachis pintoi in Huetar Norte, Costa Rica. 2

Name of the technology or strategy: systems for which it is most suitable: Nature of the integration and potential benefits: Potential limitations to the technology Projects or sites/countries where it is or has been applied Cut-and-carry plots of improved forage grasses and legumes Improved high yielding forage grasses [e.g., Guinea (Panicum maximum), Brachiaria hybrids Mulato II and III, Paspalum (Paspalum atratum) or Napier (Pennistum purpureum)] and legumes [e.g., stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis, Leucaena leucocephala)] are being introduced in cut-and-carry plots into farming systems to replace low yielding natural grazing or feeding systems. The system is suitable for ruminants in general but mainly used with cattle. A mixture of grass species is normally tested in a participatory approach and farmers select the material they like best. The grasses are intensively managed on plots close to the homestead which provide easy access to cut feed for animals housed all day or at night. Inputs are not mandatory but for intensive management, fertilization and irrigation is generally required. The system is often combined with fattening practices that lead to increased income. They allow farmers to keep their animals in pens for longer periods and collect more manure (additional benefit obtained. Farming systems with traditional, low-input livestock management. However, where access to natural resources is more constrained likelihood of success steeply increases. The integration happens on farm systems level. Improved forages are introduced as a new component into the farming system and replaced traditional gracing systems. The benefits include, especially when combined with fattening approaches: Solution for general feed shortages, dry season feed shortages (tree legumes); Time savings of up to 5 man hours per day (cutting forage in plots near the house takes time than cutting naturally-occuring grasses far from home); Increased livestock productivity and health (feeding sick and lactating animals), leading to higher income; Potential to collect manure for sale or direct use as fertilizer; Suitable for infertile soils; If implemented on village or commune level crop fencing becomes obsolete; low maintenance cost. Not intuitive for traditional farmers, therefore hard to introduce if no examples available (plant something to save time). Seed availability is a problem in most places. Easy access to natural resources may reduce the appeal of the system to farmers. Initial investments are required. Cut-and-carry systems quickly deplete the soil of nutrients and yields decline rapidly unless manure or fertilizer is applied. Vietnam, Dak Lak and Ha Tinh provinces. Laos, Xieng Khuang, Luang Prabang, Oudomxai provinces. Cambodia, Kampong Cham, Rattanakiri, Pursat and Takeo provinces. Thailand. Indonesia. Harvesting, Cut and Carry Style Feeding Forages for Dairy Goats References Ideas contributed by Bolliger, Adrian Marc (CIAT-Laos) Stür, W.W. and Horne, P.M. (2001). Developing forage technologies with smallholder farmers how to grow, manage and use forages. Published by ACIAR and CIAT. ACIAR Monograph No. 88. 3

systems for which it is most suitable: Nature of the integration and potential benefits: Potential limitations to the technology (economic, biophysical, availability, management skills, trade-offs, etc): Projects or sites/countries where it is or has been applied Grazed plots of stoloniferous grasses and legumes Grazed plots are small, fenced areas of grasses or grass-legume mixtures near pens where animals can be grazed occasionally (for example, sick animals or cows with newly-born calves). It is seldom possible for smallholders to improve large areas of natural grassland with planted forages. Farming systems with traditional, low-input livestock management. Grazed plots can be easily incorporated in large areas grassland/ such as coconut plantations or in communal native grazing lands. Type of forages that are suitable are: Short, stoloniferous grasses and legumes which can tolerate heavy grazing and suppress weeds. Grasses and legumes can be grown in mixtures but need careful grazing management. Medium-height grasses may be used but these cannot withstand heavy grazing and have to be managed carefully. For example, Brachiaria humidicola 'Yanero'and Arachis pintoi 'Itacambira'. Integration can solve problems as to: Not enough labour for feeding animals and general feed shortages. Grazed plots must be fenced to protect the forages from wandering animals. Oversowing legumes into native grassland is sometimes recommended as a way of improving feed resources. This is rarely successful in communal grazing lands because farmenrs do not have control over wondering animals which results in pvergrazing of legumes. A modest investment in temporary gates and fencing, and a little bit of management are needed. Indonesia, Philippines and other SEA countries. Grazed plots of Brachiaria Decumbens 'Basilisk' under Coconuts. (North Sulawesi, Indonesia). [WS] Grazed plots in North Sumatra, Indonesia (WS) Reference Stür, W.W. and Horne, P.M. (2001). Developing forage technologies with smallholder farmers how to grow, manage and use forages. Published by ACIAR and CIAT. ACIAR Monograph No. 88. 4

Name of the technology systems for which it is most suitable: Nature of the integration and potential benefits: Potential limitations to the technology Projects or countries/ sites where it is or has been applied Contour strips, hedgerows and gully-restoration Forage grasses are being planted in regular spacings as strips or hedges along slope contours and in erosion gullies on steep slopes. Hedgerows are also grown along fence lines or between fields. These forages can be cut regularly and used as feed. For example, Paspalum atratum 'Terenos' and Desmodium cinerea 'Las Delicias'. Mountainous areas with steep slopes and mono-cropping systems. Systems with obvious signs of soil degradation and decreasing yields. The most suitable forages for hedgerow are grasses and tree legumes that do not spread beyond the hedgerow, form a semi-permeable barrier to slow run-off and erosion, are long-lived, and do not compete strongly with adjacent crops. Forage grasses, herbs, and trees are planted into mono-cropping systems. Their use allows for improved livestock production as solutions for general feed shortages and dry season feed shortages (tree legumes are a source of high-protein leaf for dry season supplementation). Their integration leads to reduced soil erosion and improved water use efficiency, stabilization of the agricultural system and restoration of declining soil fertility of crop land (tree legumes leaves can be used as mulch to improve fertility of surrounding crops). Limitations are mainly in farmers seeing the need for such interventions and taking the risk of eventually reduced short term profits for increased long term profits. The extra demand on labour is a reason often given by farmers for not adopting hedgerow technologies. Forages planted in hedgerows must be cut regularly during the cropping season to prevent them competing with the crop. They also need regular maintenance to ensure they are effective barriers against erosion. Effective erosion control requires a semi-permeable barrier and ground cover. Tree legumes on their own do not effectively control erosion but can be made more effective by planting double rows, regular cutting to develop multi stems, planting closely within rows or by placing cut branches along the tree row. Contour strips of natural vegetation are effective alternatives for controlling erosion but provide little feed. Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines Reference Terenos' grown along a fence in Indonesia Splendida' used for hedgerows in the Philippines (WS) (WS) Ideas contributed by Bolliger, Adrian Marc (CIAT-Laos) Stür, W.W. and Horne, P.M. (2001). Developing forage technologies with smallholder farmers how to grow, manage and use forages. Published by ACIAR and CIAT. ACIAR Monograph No. 88. 5

systems for which it is most suitable: Nature of the integration and potential benefits: Potential limitations to the technology Projects or sites/countries where it is or has been applied Living fences - Forage trees and Pennisetum Forage trees (e.g., Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucephala) can be integrated into farming systems as living fences, hedgerows and wood. Living fences are lines of trees that mark the boundaries around fields and houses, and along paths. They are characterized by the often high feed quality of their foliage and can be used for ruminant, rabbit and often even pig production. Regular pruning is required and leaves are handpicked. In some trees the presence of anti-nutiritive compounds need to be observed. Intensive, space constrained systems. Type of forages that are most suitable are: Tree legumes, particularly those that can be planted from stems and are tolerant of cutting. Pennisetum species can form a dense living fence to keep chickens our of vegetable gardens Trees can be integrated into existing systems adding a second layer to existing cropping systems, thus increasing their productivity. Tree legumes in living fences will not provide feed in the short term but are long-lived. They can have additional benefits such as soil improvement and erosion control and carbon accumulation. Also, tree legumes in living fences give the added benefits of firewood and shade. Labour and management intensive. Tree legumes established from seed grow slowly and need to be protected from wandering animals for at least one year while the living fences are being established. Farmers prefer the use of species that can be easily established from stem cuttings, as these do not need as much care. Capital investment at beginning. Seed availability generally low. Laos, Luang Prabang; Vietnam, Dak Lak; Indonesia, Sepaku Using 'King' grass as a fence around a chicken pen in Indonesia (WS) References Gliricidia sepium is idealiy suited for living fences (PH) Ideas contributed by Bolliger, Adrian Marc (CIAT-Laos) Stür, W.W. and Horne, P.M. (2001). Developing forage technologies with smallholder farmers how to grow, manage and use forages. Published by ACIAR and CIAT. ACIAR Monograph No. 88. 6

systems for which it is most suitable: Nature of the integration and potential benefits: Potential limitations to the technology Projects /countries where it is or has been applied Improved fallows - Stylosanthes guianensis Improved fallows are legumes grown in crop land that is left uncropped for one or more seasons. Ideally for small land area and a very promising method to increase the productivity of smallholder farming systems in the tropics. Improved fallows open an opportunity to increase agricultural productivity and to decrease the pressure on land use and can make subsequent cultivation easier by keeping the soil covered and soft. Type of forages that are most suitable are Legumes which: are vigorous enough to suppress weeds, and are easy to manage in the following crop. For example, Stylosanthes guianensis 'Stylo 184'. Improved fallow, as an alternative to natural or bush fallow, can provide remedy to a declining soil fertility of crop land, help control weeds in cropping systems, and resolve general feed shortages. Legumes for improved fallows can be established by sowing into the previous crop, when the crop is well established and has just been weeded. They can also be used to produce legume leaf meal which is used as a feed supplement for animals such as chickens and pigs. An unusual type of fallow in Indonesia is based on Leucaena leucocephala as a naturally regenerating tree legume in upland farming systems. Trees are cut at ground level before planting upland crops. The regrowth of the trees is used for feeding animals and the wood is used for cooking or sold for cash. After the cropping phase, the trees are allowed to regrow to form a thicket. Legumes for improved fallows, if sown too early may compete with the crop and reduce yields. Areas sown with improved legumes need protection from wandering animals. Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam Stylo 184 grown as a fallow crop and fed sheep in Indonesia (WS) Reference Stür, W.W. and Horne, P.M. (2001). Developing forage technologies with smallholder farmers how to grow, manage and use forages. Published by ACIAR and CIAT. ACIAR Monograph No. 88. 7

or strategy: systems for which it is most suitable: Nature of the integration and potential benefits: Potential limitations to the technology Projects or sites/countries where it is or has been applied Reference Agricultural by-products suitable as animal feeds Rice and maize produce considerable amounts of biomass that is (though of medium to low quality) suitable for ruminant nutrition. The material can be stocked or used for silage in combination with higher quality forage. After processing the grain as well as cassava roots, bran, cake or broken grain present high quality carbohydrate sources for animal production. Any that produces by-products that are suitable as animal feed. The use of available resource increases the overall systems efficiency and can improve sustainability and total profits. Total availability of suitabe feed material has to be sufficently high to make their use worthwhile. By-products are generally poor in protein and require protein supplementation from sources that have to be produced for this purpose. The use of these resources may impact the systems from which they are being withdrawn (e.g. reduced organic matter remains in the field). Harvesting approach can limit the feasibility due to established processes that make the use of by-products too cumbersome, processing by-products have to be purchased or exchanged. Everywhere to varying degrees. Ideas contributed by Bolliger, Adrian Marc (CIAT-Laos) systems for which it is most suitable: Nature of the integration and potential benefits: Potential limitations to the technology Projects s/countries where it is or has been applied Reference Forage silage Available feed resources are ensiled (through fermentation) during the time of abundance to be used during periods of shortage. This conservation method preserves feed quality and allows for preparation under conditions of high humidity, where hay and leaf meal making is not an option. Partly mechanized systems, ideally of medium size, with a focus on livestock production. Livestock production becomes a year-round endeavour without feed gaps during certain periods of the year. This allows for a stronger integration of livestock derived outputs into the farming system (e.g. draft, manure). Livestock productivity is increased during a period of time during which traditional systems show reduced output, leading to higher competitiveness. High labour requirements or mechanization needed. Risk of rodent problems. Requires storage capacity. Material inputs needed. Vietnam, Dak Lak. Thailand. Ideas contributed by Bolliger, Adrian Marc (CIAT-Laos) 8

systems for which it is most suitable: Nature of the integration and potential benefits: Potential limitations to the technology Projects or sites/countries where it is or has been applied Planting of Desho grass on soil bunds. Desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) is a deep rooted indigenous grass. Its deep rooting characteristic means that it continues to provide green material well into the dry season and it is an excellent stabilizer of soil. The grass is planted on soil bunds and on field margins to give dual benefits: provision of forage for livestock feeding and stabilization of soil bunds which would otherwise erode. Reduced soil erosions sustains soil fertility and reduced run-off improves soil moisture content. Desho can be intercropped with leguminous fodder trees with further soil fertility benefits. The technology is suitable for the highland sub-humid systems of Ethiopia but it is likely to be successful in other similar agro-ecologies across the tropics. Typical crops in these systems are wheat, potato and teff. The integrative aspect of this intervention is the dual benefit of livestock feed and improved natural resource management. The potential benefits of this intervention are provision of livestock feed, protection from soil erosion, increased soil moisture and improved soil fertility (especially when forage legumes are incorporated in the intervention). Availability of high quality forage close to the homestead reduces the need for grazing on distant pastures with associated labour demands. The deep rooting growth habit of Desho grass could potentially locally deplete soil moisture. In addition, the grass needs to be harvested regularly to ensure palatability for livestock. There is a need to link the forage intervention with the small ruminant fattening or some other livestock enterprise and increase women s access to income. The technology has been tested in the Nile Basin Development Challenge (NBDC) in Ethiopia particularly in one of the three project sites called Jeldu. Farmer explaning his experience with Desho grass to field day visitors at Kolugelan (Photo credit: ILRI/Aberra Adie) Reference Ideas contributed by Zelalem Lema, Aberra Adie, and Alan Duncan 12/7/14 For further information see the following: http://nilebdc.org/2014/02/21/jelduinnovation-platform/ 9

systems for which it is most suitable: Nature of the integration and potential benefits: Potential limitations to the technology Projects or sites/countries where it is or has been applied Intercropping forages with food crops as a key opportunity for driving sustainable intensification of crop livestock systems In situations of land scarcity, intercropping of cereals or other food crops with forage legumes or grasses is a way of spatially integrating fodder into intensive farming systems. Intercropping cereals with forages can be in the form of strip, row, mixed (various forms of alley farming) or relay cropping (annual legume forages). The strategy is suitable for many agro-ecologies (sub-humid, mid to highlands, altitudes ranging from 950-2450 m asl) and with a diversity of crop farming systems (crops e.g. maize, beans, millet, coffee, tea, rice, pigeon pea, sunflower etc.) and where crop-livestock systems dominate. Such areas often have an increasing demand for food and feed that leads to permanent cultivation of land due to disappearance of traditional land management practices such as fallows. This situation often leads to negative nutrient balances and land degradation. Fertilizers and good quality feeds are too costly and inaccessible to poor farmers in the absence of credit provision. New and innovative food and feed technologies are missing but crucial to sustain productivity of low-input mixed farming systems. Depending on the forage species used, potential benefits can include provision of livestock feed at no, or minimal, yield penalty for cereals, increased soil fertility, reduced livestock feed costs and reduced degradation of grazing areas through increased availability of feed. 1. Availability and cost of forage seeds: The lack and poor access to fodder seeds and planting materials could limit farmers ability to grow forages. Improved seed are costly to smallholder farmers. 2. The lack of knowledge on forage production could limit adoption 3. Handling of forage seeds: some seeds of improved forages are difficult to handle and process for planting. 4. Initial slow growth. Establishment of forages can be slow and difficult. This could discourage uptake especially in areas with severe feed shortages 5. Failure to clearly demonstrate the benefits of planted fodder especially herbaceous legumes, especially at the farm level. The areas introduced during piloting are usually small and not enough for feeding livestock. Need to plan carefully to transition quickly from testing phase to scale. The intervention is being tested in the Africa RISING site in Babati district of Tanzania. The situation analysis in the district using the Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) showed that the systems are dominated by crop production. The average area committed to various crops ranges between 0.3-0.7ha while the area committed to forages is only < 0.04ha. There is poor livestock management as a result of lack of information about fodder, feeds and feeding; inadequate feeds (quantity and quality) which is exacerbated by seasonal feed variations; and poor storage, processing and utilization of crop residues. As a result livestock is underfed with farmers meeting only 65% of the feed needs under best conditions. There is some fodder trading especially of crop residues happening especially in the dry season. The lack of access to fodder seeds and planting materials limits farmers ability to grow forages. Reference Ideas contributed by Ben Lukuyu and Alan Duncan June 17, 2014 10

systems for which it is most suitable: Nature of the integration and potential benefits: Potential limitations to the technology Projects or sites/countries where it is or has been applied Potential of fresh Nipa sap for Animal Feed The sap of mangroves palm (Nipa fruticans) can be processed into sugar, alcohol, vinegar and ethanol. Its sap is extracted during palm tapping, an activity that has been practiced in Southeast Asia for centuries. Instead of preparing sugar from the sap of sugar producing palm trees, the sap can be directly fed to livestock. The sap is found to be a climate-smart source of livestock feed. Efforts to maximize its potential of fresh palm sap as feed for livestock have been made and generated positive result in a project led by UN Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) in Cambodia and Indonesia. Nipa sap has a high potential as alternative feeds both economically and environmentally. The technology could encourage farmers to adapt a sustainable and more profitable integrated farming system without compromising the environment. Currently, nipa palms are distributed all over Asia as natural and plantation-managed palms. The largest natural nipa stands of approximately 700 000 ha are found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea (500 000 ha), Philippines (8 000 ha)] and Malaysia (20 000 ha)]. The widespread occurrence of nipa palms and further research support could help realize the potential of sap as animal feed rural coastal communities where nipa grows. Using nipa sap as alternative feed for animals could: supply the main energy requirements of livestock especially for pigs and ducks as an efficient substitute for maize-based animal diets. liberate land currently used for maize livestock feeds, enabling it to produce more crops for human consumption, a solution for the 'food v feed' dilemma using sad as feed for livestock generates a profit that is 14 times higher than processing the sap into sugar, once fuelwood costs for sugar production are accounted for, making it a low-input/high-output system. nipa could be more resilient than maize to climate change and natural disasters. the sap can also be used to sweeten rice straw, making it more palatable and energy rich for ruminants in a zero grazing system. Tapping of nipa sap could be labour intensive. Sap full potential is yet to be explored and so as best applicable feeding practices and possible feeding limitations as to anti-nutritional component of sap. Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. Reference Photo by: ICRAF-Philippines Ideas contributed by Craig Jamieson, ICRAF Philippines. - See more at: http://blog.worldagroforestry.org/index.php/2014/03/22/a-sweet-waterway-to-food-andfuel-security/#sthash.iseudd00.dpuf 11

Potential of Super Napier - Pakchong 1 to boost local dairy production Super Napier or Pakchong 1 is a cross of ordinary napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) developed in Thailand by Dr. Krailas Kyiothong. This new hybrid napier grass took about 6 years to develop, with the following characteristics: Fast growing and high yielding. The 59-days-old plants are already about 10 feet tall. One hectare of this Super Napier can produce 500 tons, harvested four times in one year or cut every 45 to 60 days, depending on the usage. Improved protein content, it yields about 16 to 18 percent Tropical perennial bunchgrass, long-lived (8-9 year) with deep fibrous root. Highly palatable. Significant difference from ordinary Napier is that the leaves have sweeter taste and are smooth, without itchy hairs. systems for which it is most suitable: Nature of the integration and potential benefits: In Pakchong district in Thailand, the super napier is mainly used for feeding dairy cattle. There, some enterprising business-minded farmers now specialize in growing Pakchong 1 for sale to the big and relatively small holder dairy farmers. Super Napier is not only for cattle, it is also fed to tilapia, ducks, free-range chickens and pigs. For best results for fish and small animals, the grass should be harvested at 45 days old. The leaves and stems are chopped into small pieces before they are fed. With high protein value, best suited for cut and carry system (zero grazing system) and silaging but not recommended for haying due to high moisture content. Feeding forms are: greenchop (mechanically chopping and feeding green Napier, reduces grazing waste, selectively, quality, should be fed promptly after harvest, increased harvest/ feeding cost and labor); and silage Also use in vermiculture to obtain higher nitrogen content to the organic fertilizer formulation. Planting materials are from canes that are cut into three-nodes cuttings which are planted like sugarcane. Super Napier ratoon after harvesting the Super Napier for feeding cattle down to the level of the ground, a lot of tillers will arise. The number could be more than 20 tillers, especially if the plant is fertilized and irrigated. The original plant can be ratooned indefinitely for as long as it is properly taken care of fertilized and adequately irrigated. Pakchong 1 packs a lot of advantages over the ordinary napier grass. According to the Thai expert, a dairy farmer can harvest about 500 tons of grass in one year per hectare of land. He said the ordinary napier grass yield is only about 360-400 tons per hectare. Harvest should be take place every 60 days of age and it can be harvested year-round. In contrast, it yields more crude protein of about 16 to 18 percent while the ordinary napier contains only about 8 to 12 percent crude protein at harvest time of 45 to 55 days. Can tolerate drought with deep fibrous root, excellent tolerance to soil acidity and responds very well to nitrogen. Potential limitations to the technology High fertility requirement needs nitrogen fertilization to achieve target yield. Daily harvesting sometimes difficult for cut and carry system as animals are not 12

encourage to graze directly on super napier grass. Projects or sites/countries where it is or has been applied Philippines; with private entities like King Ranch; and other on-going studies or projects with government agencies PCC and NDA Thailand Super Napier grass ratoon. Super Napier Grass harvesting Super Cuttings off to different parts of the Phillipines Reference An average of 1.5 Tons of Fresh leaves of Super napier Pakchong1 was harvested in a plot of 100 square meter area. Browse for more information at: http://www.supernapier.com/ https://www.facebook.com/supernapier 13

Suitability of forages for different uses Reference: Peter M. Horne and Werner W. Stür. 1999. Developing forage technologies with smallholder farmers: how to select the best varieties to offer farmers in Southeast Asia. Published by ACIAR and CIAT. ACIAR Monograph No. 62. ISBN 1 86320 271 4. 14