Milk production from kikuyu grass based pastures

Summary

Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) is a tropical grass introduced into Australia in the 1920’s from stolons brought from the Belgian Congo.

In 1969, “Whittet” a seeded kikuyu cultivar from Kenya was released and more recently in 2023 “Fulkerson” seed is commercially available.

Kikuyu has since naturalised along most of the east coast of Australia and is now the dominant summer pasture on coastal dairy farms.

Kikuyu is capable of high summer growth but milk production can be limited by its relatively low quality.

This Primefact covers the following topics:

  • Kikuyu for milk production
  • Grazing management
  • Grazing Interval
  • Identifying Leaf Stage of Regrowth
  • Variation in Sugar Content of Kikuyu through the Day
  • Palpability of Kikuyu
  • Supplements Fed when Cows Graze Kikuyu Grass
  • Comparison of the Herbage Quality of Kikuyu and Ryegrass
  • Pasture Intake and Stocking Rate
  • Kikuyu Grass for Dry Cows
  • Water Efficiency of Kikuyu
  • Fertiliser Management
  • Establishing Kikuyu Grass
  • Selection of Kikuyu Variety
  • Time of Sowing
  • Over Sowing Kikuyu Pastures in Autumn with Ryegrass for Winter Feed
  • Over Sowing Kikuyu with Brassicas (Forage Rape/Leafy Turnip)
  • Over Sowing Kikuyu Pasture with White Clover
  • Kikuyu Persistence
  • Making Kikuyu Silage
  • Disorders of Kikuyu
  • Insect Pests of Kikuyu Grass



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Primefact

Published: Mar 2024