Australian Full Red Napier Grass Cuttings – High-Yield Multicut Livestock Fodder

Botanical name: Cenchrus purpureus 

Synonym: Pennisetum purpureum

Variety/trade name: Australian Full Red Napier
Product form: Fresh stem cuttings/sticks
Productive life: Approximately 4–5 years with proper management
Quantity: 1,000 stem cuttings
Coverage: Approximately 2,000 square feet, depending on planting distance and field conditions

Phytosanitary certificate and trackable worldwide shipping are included in the price.

About Australian Full Red Napier

Australian Full Red Napier is a perennial, multi-cut fodder grass recognised by its reddish-purple stems and leaves. The colour is produced by naturally occurring anthocyanin pigments.

It produces abundant green fodder and is suitable for feeding cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep. The young and tender grass is palatable and can be chopped before feeding or used for preparing silage.

This grass can grow very tall under favourable conditions, but it should be harvested while the stems are still tender and nutritious. Do not allow the crop to become excessively old, hard or fibrous.

Uses

• Green fodder for cows and buffaloes

• Fodder for goats and sheep

• Suitable for dairy and livestock farms

• Multi-cut fodder production

• Can be chopped using a chaff cutter

• Suitable for silage preparation

• Useful for maintaining a regular supply of green fodder

Soil and Land Preparation

Australian Red Napier can grow in different types of soil, including sandy, loamy and black soil. Fertile, well-drained soil gives the best results. Avoid locations where water remains stagnant for long periods.

Because the plantation remains productive for several years, prepare the land thoroughly before planting.

• Plough the field deeply and break large soil clods.

• Add approximately 8–10 tonnes of well-decomposed farmyard manure per acre, depending on soil fertility.

• Prepare rows or furrows for planting.

• Make sure the field has proper drainage and irrigation facilities.

Preparation of Cuttings

Use fresh and healthy stem cuttings with active nodes or buds.

Before planting, cuttings may be treated with an agricultural rooting or germination solution according to the product manufacturer’s instructions. Do not use an unlabelled chemical or an excessive concentration.

Plant the cuttings as soon as possible after receiving them. Do not allow them to become completely dry.

Planting Season

Australian Red Napier can be planted during warm weather whenever sufficient irrigation is available. The beginning of the rainy season is generally suitable for establishment.

Growth may become slower during cold weather.

Planting Method

• Maintain approximately 3 feet between rows.

• Keep around 1 foot between cuttings within each row, or use spacing recommended for local conditions.

• Place the cutting horizontally or at a slight angle.

• Keep at least one healthy node lightly covered with soil.

• Do not bury the cutting too deeply.

• Press the soil gently around the cutting.

• Irrigate immediately after planting.

Plant population and coverage will vary according to the spacing selected. Closer planting requires more cuttings, while wider planting requires fewer.

Irrigation

Irrigate immediately after planting and provide another light irrigation after approximately 3–4 days.

Continue watering according to:

• Soil type

• Temperature

• Rainfall

• Plant growth

• Local climate

Keep the soil moist during establishment, but avoid prolonged waterlogging.

Manure and Fertilizer

Apply well-decomposed farmyard manure during land preparation. Because Napier is harvested repeatedly, nutrients must be replenished after each cut.

Apply fertilizer according to a local soil test and agricultural recommendation. The quantity should be adjusted according to soil fertility, expected yield and irrigation availability.

Organic manure from cows or buffaloes can also be applied when it is properly decomposed.

Harvesting

The first harvest can generally be taken approximately 80–90 days after planting, depending on climate, soil fertility and crop growth.

Subsequent harvests may normally be taken every 45–65 days. For better fodder quality, harvest while the crop is leafy and the stems are still tender.

Cut the grass close to the recommended height above ground without damaging the crown. Timely harvesting encourages healthy regrowth.

Approximately 5–6 harvests may be possible annually under favourable growing conditions. Actual production varies considerably with climate, planting density, soil fertility, irrigation and harvesting management.

Feeding Instructions

Chop the harvested grass into small pieces before feeding to reduce wastage and make it easier for livestock to consume.

Introduce new fodder gradually. Australian Red Napier should form part of a balanced ration and can be combined with protein-rich fodders such as:

• Cowpea

• Lucerne or alfalfa

• Berseem

• Hedge lucerne

• Other suitable legumes

Always provide clean drinking water, dry roughage, minerals and concentrate feed according to the animal’s nutritional requirements.

Planting Material Required

Approximately 12,000 cuttings may be required for one acre, depending on the spacing and planting system used. Farmers should calculate the final requirement according to their selected row-to-row and plant-to-plant distance.

Important Note

“Australian Full Red Napier” is commonly used as a commercial variety name. The intensity of red or purple pigmentation may vary according to plant age, sunlight, season and growing conditions.

All yield, height, harvesting and coverage figures are approximate. Actual performance depends on local soil, climate, irrigation, nutrition and crop management.

Worldwide Supply from SeedsForGarden

SeedsForGarden supplies fresh Australian Full Red Napier stem cuttings for dairy farms, livestock farmers and agricultural projects.

Bulk quantities are available. Phytosanitary documentation and worldwide shipping are available for eligible orders and destinations.

Order Australian Full Red Napier Grass Cuttings from SeedsForGarden.com for establishing a productive, perennial source of green livestock fodder.