Requirements and uses
- Mostly dryland in SA
- Widely adapted – prefer sandy soils
- Performs best in areas with 650 mm rain/anum
- Where frost occurs, grass dies back. Grows again early spring
- Eragrostis curvula fares best as a hay crop
- Quality is dependant on the fertility of the soils
- Low fertility = poor quality
- N the key to high, good quality fodder production
- Guide: 5t/ha requires 100kgN/ha
Establishment
- Use Tef with Eragrostis where weeds are a problem – early cut essential
- 2-6 kg/ha
- 4-6kg Tef
Soil preparation
- Fine, firm seedbed, free of weeds – Eragrostis curvula seed is very small
- Seedbed should be rolled before and after sowing
- October to December – weed free area
Utilization as hay
- Do not cut more hay than the available implements can handle.
- Ensure high protein content – cut before it flowers
- For higher DM – cut later – not later than early flowering
- Hay cannot be cut before November
- Leaf stage: highest CP, digestibility and intake
Utilization as grazing
- Best early in season
- Quality and quantity decreases later in season