NEWS
Grasses, also called monocot
or narrow-leaf plants, are an
important component of pastures.
When mixed with legumes in
pastures, grasses can reduce the risk
of bloat when animals graze the pasture.
Grasses also limit weed growth, can
help pastures survive winters and provide
good yields. A wide selection of
grasses for pastures means that there
is a grass suitable to almost any climate
or management style.
Grasses, also called monocot or
narrow-leaf plants, are an important
component of pastures. When mixed
with legumes in pastures, grasses can
reduce the risk of bloat when animals
graze the pasture.
Grasses fo
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Marinda
Grasses can be divided into tropical
or summer-growing grasses and temperate
or cool-season grasses.
Figure 1: Smuts fing
able for grazing, hay
Ask any seed company for guidance
on the best grasses for pastures to
grow in your area and on your soil
type.
Summer-growing Grasses for Pastures
Grasses that produce its highest yield
and growth in the warmer summers
are called summer-growing grasses
and are usually planted in the warmer
regions of South Africa.
Tuft-forming summer grass
These grasses are not suitable for
heavy grazing and have low digestibility.
Digestibility is the amount of
nutrients an animal can utilise from
the pasture.
Examples of tuff-forming grasses are
weeping love grass (Eragrostis curvula),
the permanent pasture and
extremely drought-resistant buffalo
grass (Cenchrus cilliaris) and the finger
grass species such as Smuts finger
grass (Digitaria eriantha).
Weeping love grass is suitable for
well-drained acidic soil with a pH of
Figure 2: Fast-growin
and often used as rot
4 - 7. Buffalo grass
8, grows on sandy s
is sensitive to alum
nese. The tasty S
grows on shallow ro
er soils with a pH of
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