Post by Farmer Nestor on Mar 20, 2010 16:37:07 GMT -8
After purchasing your farm, and you already decided what type of goats you want to raise this is the next step that you should do, preparing the land.
Establishment, Seeding, Vegetative Propagation.
Establishment is usually a crucial phase in forage crop development. If establishment is poor, the pasture will take a longer time to be productive, while in extreme cases, it may be necessary to resow or replant. The establishment period is the time when forage plants are most vulnerable to stresses.
Land Preparation
Clear the land first of unwanted vegetation. After clearing, plow the area to break and loosen the soil. One to two weeks after plowing harrow the soil to further destroy emerging weeds and provide a finer seedbed.
Planting
The normal planting time is at the start of the rainy season. When vegetative materials are used , it is safer to wait until rains comes regularly. If irrigation is available, planting maybe done any time of the year.
Vegetative Propagation
Many tropical grasses are commercially propagated by stem cuttings, rootstocks, rhizomes, or stolons. Methods of planting perennial grasses are grown from vegetative parts.
Canes or stem cuttings
Canes or stem cuttings such as those of Napier may be planted by sticking them into the ground as in planting sugarcane. Planting along furrows will facilitate post emergence cultivation to control weeds.
Tufts or rootstocks
Dig out clumps and separate into tufts of 3-4 tillers, and plant them by hand 40-50 cm apart. Bunchy or stool forming species which posses short rhizomes should be propagated in this manner.
Seeding Legumes and Grasses
Tropical legumes, unlike many tropical grasses, are easily established from seeds. Many are prolific seeders. Some seeds may need some inoculation but this is not part on this discussion.
Pasture Fertilization
In the establishment of improve pasture, apply fertilizer to increase yield. In our farm we use vermi cast from goat manure and grass cuttings (I will make another topic on Vermi Composting……. abangan). Opppppps sorry I almost forgot to tell you before applying fertilizer have your soil tested first.
Recommended Forages and Pasture Crops Species.
Select forages that fit the production system or use.
Each forage species has its own peculiar characteristics, e.g. erect and tall, creeping, twining and hairy. If forages, for instance, are intended for cut-and-carry or zero grazing production system then choose a species that is erect and tall for ease in cutting (e.g. Napier).
Legumes
Legumes enhances ruminal digestion and some are good source of by-pass proteins necessary for increase animal performance. Species such as Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephla), Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium), Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis), Desmanthus (Desmanthus vergatus), Rensonii (Desmodium rensonii now cinerea), and Sesbania (Sesbania sesban) can easily be planted in the farmer’s backyard or along farm boundaries and serve as fodder bank.
Forages we plant in our farm
1. Napier Grass
2. Rensonii
3. Centro
4. Indigifera
5. Flemingia
6. Calliandra
7. Mulberry
click here to see photos of our foragesraisinggoat.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=goats&action=display&thread=8
At present we are trying if we can grow Alfalfa I will give you updates if we are successful on our trials.
While waiting for your forages to grow, (Don’t buy your stock first) it is advisable to visit existing goat farms near your area. Most of Goat farm owners are willing to share their experiences like Art Almeda (AGF) and Elmer Rivera (St Elmos Dairy Farm).
Next designing and building your goat houses……..
Establishment, Seeding, Vegetative Propagation.
Establishment is usually a crucial phase in forage crop development. If establishment is poor, the pasture will take a longer time to be productive, while in extreme cases, it may be necessary to resow or replant. The establishment period is the time when forage plants are most vulnerable to stresses.
Land Preparation
Clear the land first of unwanted vegetation. After clearing, plow the area to break and loosen the soil. One to two weeks after plowing harrow the soil to further destroy emerging weeds and provide a finer seedbed.
Planting
The normal planting time is at the start of the rainy season. When vegetative materials are used , it is safer to wait until rains comes regularly. If irrigation is available, planting maybe done any time of the year.
Vegetative Propagation
Many tropical grasses are commercially propagated by stem cuttings, rootstocks, rhizomes, or stolons. Methods of planting perennial grasses are grown from vegetative parts.
Canes or stem cuttings
Canes or stem cuttings such as those of Napier may be planted by sticking them into the ground as in planting sugarcane. Planting along furrows will facilitate post emergence cultivation to control weeds.
Tufts or rootstocks
Dig out clumps and separate into tufts of 3-4 tillers, and plant them by hand 40-50 cm apart. Bunchy or stool forming species which posses short rhizomes should be propagated in this manner.
Seeding Legumes and Grasses
Tropical legumes, unlike many tropical grasses, are easily established from seeds. Many are prolific seeders. Some seeds may need some inoculation but this is not part on this discussion.
Pasture Fertilization
In the establishment of improve pasture, apply fertilizer to increase yield. In our farm we use vermi cast from goat manure and grass cuttings (I will make another topic on Vermi Composting……. abangan). Opppppps sorry I almost forgot to tell you before applying fertilizer have your soil tested first.
Recommended Forages and Pasture Crops Species.
Select forages that fit the production system or use.
Each forage species has its own peculiar characteristics, e.g. erect and tall, creeping, twining and hairy. If forages, for instance, are intended for cut-and-carry or zero grazing production system then choose a species that is erect and tall for ease in cutting (e.g. Napier).
Legumes
Legumes enhances ruminal digestion and some are good source of by-pass proteins necessary for increase animal performance. Species such as Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephla), Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium), Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis), Desmanthus (Desmanthus vergatus), Rensonii (Desmodium rensonii now cinerea), and Sesbania (Sesbania sesban) can easily be planted in the farmer’s backyard or along farm boundaries and serve as fodder bank.
Forages we plant in our farm
1. Napier Grass
2. Rensonii
3. Centro
4. Indigifera
5. Flemingia
6. Calliandra
7. Mulberry
click here to see photos of our foragesraisinggoat.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=goats&action=display&thread=8
At present we are trying if we can grow Alfalfa I will give you updates if we are successful on our trials.
While waiting for your forages to grow, (Don’t buy your stock first) it is advisable to visit existing goat farms near your area. Most of Goat farm owners are willing to share their experiences like Art Almeda (AGF) and Elmer Rivera (St Elmos Dairy Farm).
Next designing and building your goat houses……..
